Create a Conversation screen for team messaging
Before you watch
Section titled “Before you watch”Outcome: Build a simple app with one Conversation screen and a messaging channel so authenticated users can send messages to each other.
Time: about 2 minutes
Docs (canonical):
Watch the video for orientation, then finish the checklist below — UI chrome in videos may lag the current builder.
Watch the tutorial
Section titled “Watch the tutorial”If the embed does not play in your browser, open the file attachment or download the MP4:
messaging-conversation-tutorial.mp4
What this video covers
Section titled “What this video covers”This walkthrough shows the shortest path from a simple app to in-app chat:
- Open a simple People-based app in the builder.
- Go to Automate → Messaging → Channels.
- Create a channel named
team-chatfor direct messages between app users. - Add a Conversation native screen from + New Screen.
- Configure the screen to listen to conversation threads and bind the
team-chatchannel. - Publish so users can message each other in the live app.
Why Conversation + a channel
Section titled “Why Conversation + a channel”| Piece | Role |
|---|---|
| Messaging channel | Names the message stream (team-chat) and controls visibility/topics |
| Conversation screen | The live chat UI: threads, contacts, reply composer, new chat |
| Publish | Turns builder draft into the live app experience |
Conversation is for back-and-forth communication between authenticated users (or workflow-aware threads). It is not a public comment wall and not a broadcast inbox — use Notification Center for announcements.
Prerequisites
Section titled “Prerequisites”- Messaging Foundation enabled for the app (Automate → Messaging shows as available).
- A private (or authenticated) app with users is strongly recommended so people can start direct chats.
- Live publish permission for messaging so replies and new chats work after publish.
After the video — checklist
Section titled “After the video — checklist”- Confirm the channel appears under Messaging → Channels as active.
- Open the Conversation screen and set:
- Listen scope: Conversation or message thread
- Messaging channel: your channel (for example
team-chat) - Screen title users will recognize (for example Messages)
- Keep Send reply available; enable start-chat behavior when users should message each other directly.
- Publish the app.
- Sign in as two different users and verify one can start a chat / reply to the other.