> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ospribrain.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Message Formatting

> Rich text formatting with Markdown shortcuts and the formatting toolbar.

## Formatting Toolbar

Click the **Aa** toggle in the input area to show/hide the formatting toolbar. The toolbar provides buttons for:

| Button | Format        | Markdown      | Shortcut |
| ------ | ------------- | ------------- | -------- |
| **B**  | Bold          | `**text**`    | ⌘B       |
| *I*    | Italic        | `_text_`      | ⌘I       |
| ~~S~~  | Strikethrough | `~~text~~`    | —        |
| `<>`   | Inline code   | `` `text` ``  | —        |
| Link   | Hyperlink     | `[text](url)` | ⌘K       |
| •      | Bullet list   | `- item`      | —        |
| 1.     | Numbered list | `1. item`     | —        |

<Note>
  **Alex's screenshot note:** Take a screenshot of the message input area with the formatting toolbar visible, showing all the formatting buttons.
</Note>

## Markdown Support

Messages support standard Markdown syntax:

### Bold

```
**this text will be bold**
```

### Italic

```
_this text will be italic_
```

### Strikethrough

```
~~this text will be struck through~~
```

### Inline Code

```
Use `inline code` for technical terms
```

### Links

```
[Click here](https://ospribrain.com)
```

### Lists

```
- Bullet item 1
- Bullet item 2

1. Numbered item 1
2. Numbered item 2
```

## @Mentions

Type `@` followed by a team member's name to mention them. A dropdown appears with matching users:

1. Type `@` in the input
2. Start typing the person's name
3. Select from the dropdown
4. The mention appears as a highlighted tag in the message

Mentioned users receive a notification.

<Note>
  **Alex's screenshot note:** Take a screenshot showing the @mention dropdown appearing below the input with 2-3 team member names listed.
</Note>

## Emoji

Click the **smiley face icon** in the input area to open the emoji picker. The picker shows 16 commonly used emoji for quick access.

You can also type emoji directly using standard emoji shortcuts or your OS emoji picker (⌘⌃Space on Mac).