> ## 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.

# Sending Messages

> How to compose, send, edit, and delete messages — with rich formatting, mentions, emoji, and scheduled send.

## Composing a Message

The message input is a rich content-editable area that supports:

* **Plain text** — Just type and press Enter to send
* **Rich formatting** — Use the toolbar or Markdown shortcuts (see [Formatting](/messages/formatting))
* **File attachments** — Click the paperclip or drag-and-drop files
* **Emoji** — Click the smiley face for the picker
* **@mentions** — Type `@` followed by a name
* **Slash commands** — Type `/` for special commands (see [Slash Commands](/messages/slash-commands))
* **Scheduled send** — Set a future date/time for delivery

## Sending

| Action           | Shortcut      |
| ---------------- | ------------- |
| **Send message** | Enter         |
| **New line**     | Shift + Enter |

Messages are delivered in real-time via Supabase Realtime. Other participants see your message instantly.

## Optimistic Updates

When you send a message, it appears immediately in your view (optimistic update) before server confirmation. This makes the experience feel instantaneous. If the server request fails, the message is rolled back.

The same applies to:

* **Reactions** — Appear instantly when you click
* **Edits** — Show immediately
* **Deletes** — Remove immediately

## Message Grouping

Consecutive messages from the same person within a short time window are visually grouped:

* The **first message** shows the full avatar, name, and timestamp
* **Subsequent messages** appear without the header, creating a clean, chat-like flow

<Frame caption="Grouped messages with hover action bar">
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/ospribrain/images/messages-grouped.png" alt="Message grouping" />
</Frame>

## Editing a Message

You can edit your own messages after sending:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Hover over your message">
    A toolbar appears with action icons.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the pencil icon">
    The message text becomes editable inline.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Make changes">
    Edit the text as needed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save or cancel">
    Press **Enter** to save, or **Escape** to cancel.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Edited messages show an *(edited)* label after the timestamp.

## Deleting a Message

You can delete your own messages:

1. Hover over your message
2. Click the **trash icon** in the hover toolbar
3. The message is removed immediately for everyone

<Warning>
  Deleted messages cannot be recovered.
</Warning>

## Replying Inline

To reply to a specific message without starting a thread:

1. Hover over the target message
2. Click the **reply arrow** in the hover toolbar
3. A reply indicator appears above the input showing the original message text and sender
4. Type your reply and send
5. Click the **X** on the reply indicator to cancel

The reply appears in the main conversation with a visual reference to the original message.

## Hover Action Toolbar

When you hover over any message, a toolbar appears with these actions:

| Icon              | Action                | Available          |
| ----------------- | --------------------- | ------------------ |
| **Smiley**        | Add a reaction        | All messages       |
| **Reply arrow**   | Reply to this message | All messages       |
| **Thread bubble** | Open/start a thread   | All messages       |
| **Pencil**        | Edit message          | Your messages only |
| **Trash**         | Delete message        | Your messages only |

## @Mentions

Type `@` followed by a team member's name to mention them:

1. Type `@` in the input
2. A dropdown appears with matching team members
3. Filter by typing more of the name
4. Click or press Enter to select
5. The mention appears as a highlighted tag

Mentioned users receive a notification.

## Emoji Picker

Click the **smiley face icon** in the input toolbar to open the emoji picker. 16 commonly used emoji are shown for quick access:

The standard set includes: thumbs up, heart, laugh, party, fire, eyes, check, 100, wave, think, clap, rocket, star-eyes, pray, peace, muscle.

You can also use your OS emoji picker (Cmd+Ctrl+Space on Mac).

## Scheduled Send

To schedule a message for later delivery:

1. Click the **clock icon** in the input toolbar
2. Select a date and time
3. Compose your message
4. Click Send — the message will be delivered at the scheduled time

## File Attachments

See [File Sharing](/messages/file-sharing) for details on attaching and sharing files.

## Reference Cards

When you embed references via slash commands (`/meeting`, `/vault`, `/todo`, `/brain`), they appear as rich interactive cards in your message. These cards include:

* **Meeting cards**: Video thumbnail, participant avatars, date, and link
* **Vault cards**: File icon, name, type, size, and link
* **Todo cards**: Task title, status, priority, and link
* **Brain cards**: Conversation title, date, and link

Reference cards can be removed before sending by clicking the X on the card.