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Managing a kChat channel
This guide details the usage and management of channels in kChat.
A kChat channel is a communication space dedicated to a project, theme, or team where members can exchange documents, chat in real-time, and organize video conferences.
General Channel
Every organization on kChat automatically has a General channel where all users are automatically invited.
You can use this channel to share information that concerns your entire organization, such as company updates or motivational news.
You can, of course, start a new conversation thread within the General channel.
Additional Channel
To add a new discussion channel:
- click on the + button located in the left sidebar of kChat
- click on Create a new channel
Channel Information
When you create a new channel, you can choose:
1. its name
It will be editable later.
2. its URL
By default, it takes the channel name, but you can modify it using lowercase letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and underscores - also editable later.
3. its status Private or Public
It will be editable later only from public to private (read more below).
4. its description
The description helps specify how this channel should be used. This text appears in the list of channels in the "More..." menu and provides users with an indication of whether they should join the channel or not.
Once the channel is created, you can further define:
5. a header
Differences between private and public channels
Public channels increase transparency. All users can see and join a public channel, ensuring that everyone involved in a project, theme, or team has access to the same information.
Private channels allow restricting sensitive content to users of your choice. Only an existing member can invite another user to a private channel. There are also differences in managing archiving/deletion (read more below).
Convert a public channel to a private channel
To turn a Public channel into a Private channel:
- click on the Public channel in the left sidebar menu
- then click on the channel title at the top of the discussion
- choose Convert
The history and membership of members are preserved; publicly shared files remain accessible to anyone with the link; the change is permanent and cannot be undone.
And vice versa?
The reverse (changing a private channel to a public channel) is also possible, but only a kChat administrator user can do it; message history is preserved.
Leaving a channel
Except for the main channel titled General, you can leave a channel at any time:
- click on the action menu â‹® to the right of the relevant channel (in the left sidebar)
- click on Leave channel
If you leave a private channel, you won't find it in the search anymore but only through its URL if you have it or by being re-invited by a member of the channel.
If you leave a public channel, you leave it immediately but can rejoin it whenever you want simply by finding it by name in the search, even if it has been archived.
Archive/Delete a channel
Except for the main channel titled General, you can archive a channel at any time, preventing any new messages and no longer counting it in your available channel quota:
- click on the channel in the left sidebar menu
- then click on the channel title at the top of the discussion
- click on Archive channel
If you create a channel and then archive it, you can rejoin it whenever you want simply by finding it by name in the search:
You can then unarchive it:
or close it to no longer see it on your interface:
Add to Favorites
To add any channel to favorites, simply:
- click on the star located at the top of a channel
- a new Favorites menu will appear in the left sidebar, grouping all the items you've favorited (valid for your user only)
Mute a channel
You can hide notifications from a channel:
- click on the action menu â‹® to the right of the relevant channel (in the left sidebar)
- choose Mute
Organize by Categories
By clicking on the + button located in the left sidebar of kChat, you can add one or more categories allowing you to place items (channel, contact, etc.) within them. Then drag the desired channel onto the created category (valid for your user only):
User-to-User Discussion Channel
Personal messages are direct conversations between two or more people that take place outside of channels.
Every user in an organization can freely create personal messages whose content will only be visible to the concerned individuals.