Chat

How to use channels, messages, reactions and files to talk with your team. Watch the tutorial (1:06)

Chat is in the left sidebar of the Deaku interface. It’s your hub for communication across Deaku, bringing together Community Chats, Workspace Chats, and Direct Chats in one place. On desktop, Deaku Assistant lives in the right sidebar - on phones and tablets you'll find it in Chat.

In Workspace view, access workspace channels and direct chats with team members. Use the search bar at the bottom to search your messages and find users within the workspace. Collapse or expand the Chat using the toggle.

In Community view, access chats for Communities you are a member of, direct messages from users outside of your workspaces, and group chats with other users.

You can collapse or expand the Chat by clicking the toggle icon at the top right.

Using Chat

Click into a chat or channel to open the full view.

• Top Bar:
  • Top left → Name of the chat or users in the conversation.
  • Top right → Options to Video Call, Audio Call or Show Channel Canvases, plus Members (to manage who is in a group or channel) and Pinned messages. Community channels also have a Threads button.
• Right:
  • Channel Canvases → For canvases kept within a specifc channel or chat. Start a channel canvas by hovering over the message you want to start the canvas with, and then click the Canvas icon. This is a great way to keep conversations and work within a specific channel. Just like all other canvases, you can add comments there too.
• Messages:
  • Messages appear in sequence on the left side of the screen.
  • Type at the bottom input box. Press Enter or click the Send icon to send.
  • Use Shift + Enter for a new line.
  • Messages longer than 2,000 characters are sent as a channel canvas instead. A character counter appears as you get close to the limit.
  • Messages sent by your AI on your behalf show a Via Deaku Agent or Via Deaku MCP label next to your name.
  • Use @ to mention people, canvases, media, or projects directly in your message (see @Mentions below).
• Reactions & Replies:
  • Hover over any message to:
    • React with an emoji.
    • Reply directly to that message.
    • Start a Canvas for side conversations and work kept within that channel. In Community channels this button opens a thread instead.
    • Open the ⋯ menu to copy a link to the message, edit or delete your own messages, pin a message (for you or for everyone), or report someone else's message.
• Sharing Content:
  • Files → Attach files directly into chat using the ‘+’ icon to the left of the type field. This opens three tabs: Workspace (media, canvases and projects), Upload (new files) and Chat Files (files already shared in chat). Community channels only accept images, video and audio.
  • Media and Canvases → Link media or canvases from your workspace so others can view or collaborate. (If recipients are not members of that workspace, you may need to choose permissions first.)
  • GIFs → Use the ‘Add GIF’ icon to the left of the send message icon. Search for and choose from an enormous library of GIFs from Giphy.
  • Voice Notes → Attach audio recordings via the microphone icon. Recipients can play them back directly in the chat.

@Mentions

Type @ in any chat message to mention people and assets. A popup will appear as you type, showing matching results. You can also use the popup to find the asset you’re looking for, and click it to select and add to your message.

• @[User] → Mention a workspace member to notify them.
• @[Canvas Name] → Link to a canvas directly in your message.
• @[Media Name] → Reference a media asset from your workspace.
• @[Project Name] → Reference a project.

Mentioned users receive a notification, making @mentions a great way to draw someone's attention to a specific conversation or message. You can @mention in channels, direct chats, canvases, projects, and even Deaku Assistant!

Community Chats

Each Community you join has its own dedicated chat. Find these in Community view. Use it to share feedback, organise collaborations, connect with members, and more.

Workspace Channels

Every Workspace can have channels. These can be Open (viewable by all team members in that workspace), or Closed (viewable only by those chosen to be in that channel).

Create new channels by pressing the ‘+’ icon to the right of Channels (Viewers can't create channels).

Depending on your permissions, hover over a channel name and open its ⋯ menu to Mark as Read, Mute (for 30 minutes, 1, 8 or 24 hours, or until you turn it back on), Hide & Mute, Copy Link, Edit Channel, Manage Members (closed channels only), Leave Channel, or Delete Channel. Hidden channels move to a Hidden Channels section below your channels.

Direct Chats (Internal DMs, and External DMs)

These are private, one-to-one conversations between you and another Deaku user.

Sending a Message

Type into the message box at the bottom of any chat. Press Enter or the Send icon to send, or use Shift + Enter for a new line.

Sending Media

Attach media directly into a chat by pressing the ‘+’ icon. Uploaded media is viewable by those in the chat who have the correct permissions. You can also do this with the @mention system.

Sending a Canvas

Share a Canvas by selecting it from your workspace and posting the link into chat, or by pressing the ‘+’ icon to link one. Others can open and collaborate on the Canvas directly if they have the right permissions. You can also do this with the @mention system.

Sharing Files

Use the ‘+’ icon to the left of the typing field to upload and share files. Files appear in-line within the chat for members to download or preview.

Channel Canvases

Keep conversations and work organised within a specific channel by starting a Channel Canvas on any message. This allows focused discussion without cluttering the main chat flow. Hover over any message to start a Channel Canvas (not available in Community channels, which use threads instead). Channel canvases can be moved between channels or to the Workspace if you have the right permissions.

Video and Audio Calls

Press the video or audio call icons at the top right of a channel or chat to call the users within that channel or chat.

Beside that chat, avatars of those in the chat will appear next to a green timer for the call. If it’s an open workspace channel, other workspace members will be able to see that call is ongoing, and be able to join.

Within a call, the top left shows active participants, and a connection status indicator. The top right has icons to go fullscreen, or shift to popout view. Popout view is great for when you want to be in a call while also working within Deaku together. Minimise popout view to continue the call without seeing the video grid. At the bottom are icons to adjust audio and video settings including muting or unmuting. You can also screenshare using the Share Screen icon. Click the emoji icon to choose from a list of particle FX reactions that will appear on your video. Press the red end call icon to leave the call.

Every call also leaves a call card in the chat. It shows whether the call is in progress, missed or unanswered, lets you join a live call, and lets you see who joined, and view the call details. See Video and Audio Calls for more.