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<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang='en' > <head> <meta charset="UTF-8" /> <title>Reading strategies | Zulip help center</title> <link id="favicon" rel="icon" href="https://static.zulipchat.com/static/images/favicon.svg?v=4" /> <link rel="alternate icon" href="https://static.zulipchat.com/static/images/favicon.png?v=4" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />  <meta name="description" content="In Zulip, channels determine who gets a message. Topics tell you what the message is about. If you are not yet familiar with Zulip's topics, we recommend first reading about channels and topics. | This article describes a few ways to efficiently read through messages in Zulip. | In Zulip, a conversation is a direct message thread (one-on-one or with a group), or a topic in a channel. | It generally works best to read your messages organized by conversation. | Inbox provides an overview of your conversations with unread messages. 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href="/help/keyboard-shortcuts">Keyboard shortcuts</a></li> </ul> <h2>Setting up your organization</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/help/migrating-from-other-chat-tools">Migrating from other chat tools</a></li> <li><a href="/help/create-your-organization-profile">Create your organization profile</a></li> <li><a href="/help/create-user-groups">Create user groups</a></li> <li><a href="/help/customize-organization-settings">Customize organization settings</a></li> <li><a href="/help/create-channels">Create channels</a></li> <li><a href="/help/customize-settings-for-new-users">Customize settings for new users</a></li> <li><a href="/help/invite-users-to-join">Invite users to join</a></li> <li><a href="/help/set-up-integrations">Set up integrations</a></li> </ul> <h2>Account basics</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/help/edit-your-profile">Edit your profile</a></li> <li><a href="/help/change-your-name">Change your name</a></li> <li><a href="/help/change-your-email-address">Change your email address</a></li> <li><a href="/help/change-your-profile-picture">Change your profile picture</a></li> <li><a href="/help/change-your-password">Change your password</a></li> <li><a href="/help/configure-email-visibility">Configure email visibility</a></li> <li><a href="/help/logging-in">Logging in</a></li> <li><a href="/help/logging-out">Logging out</a></li> <li><a href="/help/switching-between-organizations">Switching between organizations</a></li> <li><a href="/help/import-your-settings">Import your settings</a></li> <li><a href="/help/review-your-settings">Review your settings</a></li> <li><a href="/help/deactivate-your-account">Deactivate your account</a></li> </ul> <h2>Preferences</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/help/dark-theme">Dark theme</a></li> <li><a href="/help/configure-send-message-keys">Configure send message keys</a></li> <li><a href="/help/font-size">Font size</a></li> <li><a href="/help/change-your-language">Change your language</a></li> <li><a href="/help/change-your-timezone">Change your time zone</a></li> <li><a href="/help/change-the-time-format">Change the time format</a></li> <li><a href="/help/configure-emoticon-translations">Configure emoticon translations</a></li> <li><a href="/help/configure-home-view">Configure home view</a></li> <li><a href="/help/enable-full-width-display">Enable full width display</a></li> <li><a href="/help/manage-your-uploaded-files">Manage your uploaded files</a></li> </ul> <h2>Writing messages</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/help/format-your-message-using-markdown">Message formatting</a></li> <li><a href="/help/mention-a-user-or-group">Mention a user or group</a></li> <li><a href="/help/link-to-a-message-or-conversation">Link to a channel, topic, or message</a></li> <li><a href="/help/format-a-quote">Format a quote</a></li> <li><a href="/help/quote-or-forward-a-message">Quote or forward a message</a></li> <li><a href="/help/emoji-and-emoticons">Emoji and emoticons</a></li> <li><a href="/help/insert-a-link">Insert a link</a></li> <li><a href="/help/share-and-upload-files">Share and upload files</a></li> <li><a href="/help/animated-gifs-from-giphy">Animated GIFs</a></li> <li><a href="/help/text-emphasis">Text emphasis</a></li> <li><a href="/help/paragraph-and-section-formatting">Paragraph and section formatting</a></li> <li><a href="/help/bulleted-lists">Bulleted lists</a></li> <li><a href="/help/numbered-lists">Numbered lists</a></li> <li><a href="/help/tables">Tables</a></li> <li><a href="/help/code-blocks">Code blocks</a></li> <li><a href="/help/latex">LaTeX</a></li> <li><a href="/help/spoilers">Spoilers</a></li> <li><a href="/help/me-action-messages">/me action messages</a></li> <li><a href="/help/create-a-poll">Polls</a></li> <li><a href="/help/collaborative-to-do-lists">Collaborative to-do lists</a></li> <li><a href="/help/global-times">Global times</a></li> <li><a href="/help/start-a-call">Start a call</a></li> </ul> <h2>Sending messages</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/help/open-the-compose-box">Open the compose box</a></li> <li><a href="/help/mastering-the-compose-box">Mastering the compose box</a></li> <li><a href="/help/resize-the-compose-box">Resize the compose box</a></li> <li><a href="/help/typing-notifications">Typing notifications</a></li> <li><a href="/help/preview-your-message-before-sending">Preview messages before sending</a></li> <li><a href="/help/verify-your-message-was-successfully-sent">Verify a message was sent</a></li> <li><a href="/help/edit-a-message">Edit a message</a></li> <li><a href="/help/delete-a-message">Delete a message</a></li> <li><a href="/help/view-and-edit-your-message-drafts">Draft messages</a></li> <li><a href="/help/schedule-a-message">Schedule a message</a></li> <li><a href="/help/message-a-channel-by-email">Message a channel by email</a></li> </ul> <h2>Reading messages</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/help/reading-strategies" class=" highlighted">Reading strategies</a></li> <li><a href="/help/inbox">Inbox</a></li> <li><a href="/help/recent-conversations">Recent conversations</a></li> <li><a href="/help/combined-feed">Combined feed</a></li> <li><a href="/help/channel-feed">Channel feed</a></li> <li><a href="/help/left-sidebar">Left sidebar</a></li> <li><a href="/help/message-actions">Message actions</a></li> <li><a href="/help/marking-messages-as-read">Marking messages as read</a></li> <li><a href="/help/marking-messages-as-unread">Marking messages as unread</a></li> <li><a href="/help/configure-unread-message-counters">Configure unread message counters</a></li> <li><a href="/help/emoji-reactions">Emoji reactions</a></li> <li><a href="/help/view-your-mentions">View your mentions</a></li> <li><a href="/help/star-a-message">Star a message</a></li> <li><a href="/help/view-images-and-videos">View images and videos</a></li> <li><a href="/help/view-messages-sent-by-a-user">View messages sent by a user</a></li> <li><a href="/help/link-to-a-message-or-conversation">Link to a message or conversation</a></li> <li><a href="/help/search-for-messages">Searching for messages</a></li> <li><a href="/help/printing-messages">Printing messages</a></li> <li><a href="/help/view-the-markdown-source-of-a-message">View message Markdown source</a></li> <li><a href="/help/view-the-exact-time-a-message-was-sent">View when message was sent</a></li> <li><a href="/help/view-a-messages-edit-history">View a message's edit history</a></li> <li><a href="/help/collapse-a-message">Collapse a message</a></li> <li><a href="/help/read-receipts">Read receipts</a></li> </ul> <h2>People</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/help/user-list">User list</a></li> <li><a href="/help/status-and-availability">Status and availability</a></li> <li><a href="/help/user-cards">User cards</a></li> <li><a href="/help/view-someones-profile">View someone's profile</a></li> <li><a href="/help/direct-messages">Direct messages</a></li> <li><a href="/help/user-groups">User groups</a></li> <li><a href="/help/find-administrators">Find administrators</a></li> </ul> <h2>Channels</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/help/introduction-to-channels">Introduction to channels</a></li> <li><a href="/help/create-a-channel">Create a channel</a></li> <li><a href="/help/pin-a-channel">Pin a channel</a></li> <li><a href="/help/change-the-color-of-a-channel">Change the color of a channel</a></li> <li><a href="/help/unsubscribe-from-a-channel">Unsubscribe from a channel</a></li> <li><a href="/help/manage-inactive-channels">Manage inactive channels</a></li> <li><a href="/help/move-content-to-another-channel">Move content to another channel</a></li> <li><a href="/help/view-channel-subscribers">View channel subscribers</a></li> </ul> <h2>Topics</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/help/introduction-to-topics">Introduction to topics</a></li> <li><a href="/help/rename-a-topic">Rename a topic</a></li> <li><a href="/help/resolve-a-topic">Resolve a topic</a></li> <li><a href="/help/move-content-to-another-topic">Move content to another topic</a></li> <li><a href="/help/delete-a-topic">Delete a topic</a></li> </ul> <h2>Notifications</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/help/channel-notifications">Channel notifications</a></li> <li><a href="/help/topic-notifications">Topic notifications</a></li> <li><a href="/help/follow-a-topic">Follow a topic</a></li> <li><a href="/help/dm-mention-alert-notifications">DMs, mentions, and alerts</a></li> <li><a href="/help/mute-a-channel">Mute or unmute a channel</a></li> <li><a href="/help/mute-a-topic">Mute or unmute a topic</a></li> <li><a href="/help/mute-a-user">Mute a user</a></li> <li><a href="/help/email-notifications">Email notifications</a></li> <li><a href="/help/desktop-notifications">Desktop notifications</a></li> <li><a href="/help/mobile-notifications">Mobile notifications</a></li> <li><a href="/help/do-not-disturb">Do not disturb</a></li> </ul> <h2>Apps</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://zulip.com/apps/">Download apps for every platform</a></li> <li><a href="/help/desktop-app-install-guide">Desktop installation guides</a></li> <li><a href="/help/supported-browsers">Supported browsers</a></li> <li><a href="/help/configure-how-links-open">Configure how links open</a></li> <li><a href="/help/connect-through-a-proxy">Connect through a proxy</a></li> <li><a href="/help/custom-certificates">Use a custom certificate</a></li> </ul> <h1>Zulip administration</h1> <h2>Organization basics</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/help/organization-type">Organization type</a></li> <li><a href="/help/communities-directory">Communities directory</a></li> <li><a href="/help/import-from-mattermost">Import from Mattermost</a></li> <li><a href="/help/import-from-slack">Import from Slack</a></li> <li><a href="/help/import-from-rocketchat">Import from Rocket.Chat</a></li> <li><a href="/help/configure-authentication-methods">Configure authentication methods</a></li> <li><a href="/help/saml-authentication">SAML authentication</a></li> <li><a href="/help/scim">SCIM provisioning</a></li> <li><a href="/help/export-your-organization">Export your organization</a></li> <li><a href="/help/change-organization-url">Change organization URL</a></li> <li><a href="/help/deactivate-your-organization">Deactivate your organization</a></li> <li><a href="/help/analytics">Usage statistics</a></li> <li><a href="/help/linking-to-zulip">Linking to your organization</a></li> <li><a href="/help/gdpr-compliance">GDPR compliance</a></li> </ul> <h2>Users</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/help/manage-permissions">Manage permissions</a></li> <li><a href="/help/invite-new-users">Invite new users</a></li> <li><a href="/help/restrict-account-creation">Restrict account creation</a></li> <li><a href="/help/user-roles">User roles</a></li> <li><a href="/help/guest-users">Guest users</a></li> <li><a href="/help/manage-a-user">Manage a user</a></li> <li><a href="/help/deactivate-or-reactivate-a-user">Deactivate or reactivate a user</a></li> <li><a href="/help/custom-profile-fields">Custom profile fields</a></li> <li><a href="/help/configure-default-new-user-settings">Configure default new user settings</a></li> <li><a href="/help/configure-organization-language">Configure organization language</a></li> <li><a href="/help/manage-user-groups">Manage user groups</a></li> <li><a href="/help/change-a-users-name">Change a user's name</a></li> <li><a href="/help/manage-user-channel-subscriptions">Manage a user's channel subscriptions</a></li> <li><a href="/help/manage-user-group-membership">Manage a user's group membership</a></li> <li><a href="/help/restrict-name-and-email-changes">Restrict name and email changes</a></li> <li><a href="/help/restrict-profile-picture-changes">Restrict profile picture changes</a></li> <li><a href="/help/restrict-permissions-of-new-members">Restrict permissions of new members</a></li> </ul> <h2>Channel management</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/help/create-a-channel">Create a channel</a></li> <li><a href="/help/channel-permissions#private-channels">Private channels</a></li> <li><a href="/help/channel-permissions#public-channels">Public channels</a></li> <li><a href="/help/public-access-option">Public access option</a></li> <li><a href="/help/channel-permissions">Channel permissions</a></li> <li><a href="/help/channel-posting-policy">Channel posting policy</a></li> <li><a href="/help/configure-who-can-administer-a-channel">Configure who can administer a channel</a></li> <li><a href="/help/configure-who-can-create-channels">Restrict channel creation</a></li> <li><a href="/help/configure-who-can-invite-to-channels">Restrict who can subscribe others</a></li> <li><a href="/help/configure-who-can-unsubscribe-others">Configure who can unsubscribe others</a></li> <li><a href="/help/add-or-remove-users-from-a-channel">Add or remove users from a channel</a></li> <li><a href="/help/set-default-channels-for-new-users">Set default channels for new users</a></li> <li><a href="/help/rename-a-channel">Rename a channel</a></li> <li><a href="/help/change-the-channel-description">Change a channel's description</a></li> <li><a href="/help/change-the-privacy-of-a-channel">Change the privacy of a channel</a></li> <li><a href="/help/archive-a-channel">Delete or archive a channel</a></li> </ul> <h2>Organization settings</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/help/custom-emoji">Custom emoji</a></li> <li><a href="/help/add-a-custom-linkifier">Add a custom linkifier</a></li> <li><a href="/help/require-topics">Require topics in channel messages</a></li> <li><a href="/help/restrict-direct-messages">Restrict direct messages</a></li> <li><a href="/help/restrict-wildcard-mentions">Restrict wildcard mentions</a></li> <li><a href="/help/restrict-moving-messages">Restrict moving messages</a></li> <li><a href="/help/restrict-message-editing-and-deletion">Restrict message editing</a></li> <li><a href="/help/disable-message-edit-history">Disable message edit history</a></li> <li><a href="/help/image-video-and-website-previews">Image, video and website previews</a></li> <li><a href="/help/hide-message-content-in-emails">Hide message content in emails</a></li> <li><a href="/help/message-retention-policy">Message retention policy</a></li> <li><a href="/help/digest-emails">Weekly digest emails</a></li> <li><a href="/help/disable-welcome-emails">Disable welcome emails</a></li> <li><a href="/help/configure-automated-notices">Configure automated notices</a></li> <li><a href="/help/configure-multi-language-search">Configure multi-language search</a></li> </ul> <h2>Bots & integrations</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/help/bots-overview">Bots overview</a></li> <li><a href="/help/integrations-overview">Integrations overview</a></li> <li><a href="/help/add-a-bot-or-integration">Add a bot or integration</a></li> <li><a href="/help/generate-integration-url">Generate integration URL</a></li> <li><a href="/help/edit-a-bot">Edit a bot</a></li> <li><a href="/help/deactivate-or-reactivate-a-bot">Deactivate or reactivate a bot</a></li> <li><a href="/help/request-an-integration">Request an integration</a></li> <li><a href="/help/restrict-bot-creation">Restrict bot creation</a></li> <li><a href="/help/view-your-bots">View your bots</a></li> <li><a href="/help/view-all-bots-in-your-organization">View all bots in your organization</a></li> </ul> <h2>Support</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/help/view-zulip-version">View Zulip version</a></li> <li><a href="/help/zulip-cloud-billing">Zulip Cloud billing</a></li> <li><a href="/help/self-hosted-billing">Self-hosted billing</a></li> <li><a href="/help/support-zulip-project">Support the Zulip project</a></li> <li><a href="/help/linking-to-zulip-website">Linking to the Zulip website</a></li> <li><a href="/help/contact-support">Contact support</a></li> </ul> <h1 class="home-link"><a href="/" class="no-underline">Back to Zulip</a></h1> </div> </div> <svg height="32px" class="hamburger" style="enable-background:new 0 0 32 32;" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 32 32" width="32px" xml:space="preserve" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <path d="M4,10h24c1.104,0,2-0.896,2-2s-0.896-2-2-2H4C2.896,6,2,6.896,2,8S2.896,10,4,10z M28,14H4c-1.104,0-2,0.896-2,2 s0.896,2,2,2h24c1.104,0,2-0.896,2-2S29.104,14,28,14z M28,22H4c-1.104,0-2,0.896-2,2s0.896,2,2,2h24c1.104,0,2-0.896,2-2 S29.104,22,28,22z"></path> </svg> <div class="markdown"> <div class="content" id="main-content"> <h1 id="reading-strategies">Reading strategies</h1> <p>In Zulip, channels determine who gets a message. Topics tell you what the message is about. If you are not yet familiar with Zulip's topics, we recommend first reading about <a href="introduction-to-channels">channels</a> and <a href="/help/introduction-to-topics">topics</a>.</p> <p>This article describes a few ways to efficiently read through messages in Zulip.</p> <h2 id="conversation-by-conversation">Conversation by conversation</h2> <p>In Zulip, a <strong>conversation</strong> is a <a href="/help/direct-messages">direct message</a> thread (one-on-one or with a group), or a <a href="/help/introduction-to-topics">topic in a channel</a>.</p> <p>It generally works best to read your messages organized by conversation.</p> <h3 id="finding-a-conversation-to-read">Finding a conversation to read</h3> <h4 id="from-the-inbox-view">From the Inbox view</h4> <p><strong>Inbox</strong> provides an overview of your conversations with unread messages. Conversations are shown in the same order as in the left sidebar in the web app, and you can collapse any channels you are not currently interested in.</p> <p><div class="tabbed-section has-tabs" markdown="1"> <ul class="nav"> <li data-tab-key="desktop-web" tabindex="0">Desktop/Web</li> <li data-tab-key="mobile" tabindex="0">Mobile</li> </ul> <div class="blocks"> <div class="tab-content" data-tab-key="desktop-web" markdown="1"></p> <ol> <li> <p>Click on <i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-inbox"></i> <strong>Inbox</strong> (or <i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-inbox"></i> if the <strong>views</strong> section is collapsed) in the left sidebar, or use the <kbd>Shift</kbd> + <kbd>I</kbd> keyboard shortcut.</p> </li> <li> <p>Click on a conversation you're interested in to view it. You can return to <strong>Inbox</strong> when done to select the next conversation.</p> </li> </ol> <div class="admonition tip"> <p>You can collapse or expand the list of topics in a channel by clicking the <strong>collapse</strong> (<i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-arrow-down"></i>) or <strong>expand</strong> (<i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-arrow-down icon-collapsed-state"></i>) icon to the left of a channel name.</p> </div> <p></div> <div class="tab-content" data-tab-key="mobile" markdown="1"></p> <ol> <li> <p>Tap the <strong>Inbox</strong> (<img src="/static/images/help/mobile-inbox-icon.svg" alt="inbox" class="help-center-icon"/>) tab in the bottom left corner of the app.</p> </li> <li> <p>Tap on a conversation you're interested in to view it. You can return to <strong>Inbox</strong> when done to select the next conversation.</p> </li> </ol> <div class="admonition tip"> <p>You can collapse or expand the list of topics in a channel by tapping the <strong>collapse</strong> (<img src="/static/images/help/mobile-expand-less-icon.svg" alt="inbox" class="help-center-icon"/>) or <strong>expand</strong> (<img src="/static/images/help/mobile-expand-more-icon.svg" alt="inbox" class="help-center-icon"/>) icon to the left of a channel name.</p> </div> <p></div> </div> </div></p> <h4 id="from-recent-conversations">From Recent conversations</h4> <p>Use the <strong>Recent conversations</strong> view to get an overview of all the ongoing conversations. This view is particularly useful for catching up on messages sent while you were away.</p> <p><div class="tabbed-section has-tabs" markdown="1"> <ul class="nav"> <li data-tab-key="desktop-web" tabindex="0">Desktop/Web</li> </ul> <div class="blocks"> <div class="tab-content" data-tab-key="desktop-web" markdown="1"></p> <ol> <li> <p>Click on <i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-recent"></i> <strong>Recent conversations</strong> (or <i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-recent"></i> if the <strong>views</strong> section is collapsed) in the left sidebar, or use the <kbd>T</kbd> keyboard shortcut.</p> </li> <li> <p>The filters at the top help you quickly find relevant conversations. For example, select <strong>Participated</strong> to filter to the conversations you have sent messages to.</p> </li> </ol> <p></div> </div> </div></p> <div class="admonition tip"> <p>The <strong>Participants</strong> column shows which users recently sent a message (newest on the left).</p> </div> <h4 id="from-the-left-sidebar">From the left sidebar</h4> <p>In the web app, the left sidebar provides quick access to your direct messages, and the channels you are subscribed to.</p> <p><div class="tabbed-section has-tabs" markdown="1"> <ul class="nav"> <li data-tab-key="desktop-web" tabindex="0">Desktop/Web</li> </ul> <div class="blocks"> <div class="tab-content" data-tab-key="desktop-web" markdown="1"></p> <ol> <li> <p>Click on <strong>DIRECT MESSAGES</strong> or the name of a channel in the left sidebar. You will see a list of the most recent unread conversations that you have not <a href="/help/mute-a-topic">muted</a>.</p> </li> <li> <p>Click on the conversation you are interested in.</p> </li> </ol> <div class="admonition tip"> <p>To see all conversations, click on <strong>MORE CONVERSATIONS</strong> (in direct messages) or <strong>SHOW ALL TOPICS</strong> (in a channel).</p> </div> <p></div> </div> </div></p> <h3 id="reading-conversations">Reading conversations</h3> <p><div class="tabbed-section has-tabs" markdown="1"> <ul class="nav"> <li data-tab-key="desktop-web" tabindex="0">Desktop/Web</li> </ul> <div class="blocks"> <div class="tab-content" data-tab-key="desktop-web" markdown="1"></p> <ol> <li> <p><a href="/help/finding-a-conversation-to-read">Find</a> a conversation to read.</p> </li> <li> <p>Read the conversation, scrolling down with the mouse or by pressing <kbd>PgDn</kbd>.</p> </li> <li> <p>If the conversation is not of interest, you can <a href="/help/marking-messages-as-read">mark all messages as read</a> by jumping to the bottom with the <strong>Scroll to bottom</strong> (<i class="fa fa-chevron-down"></i>) button or the <kbd>End</kbd> shortcut.</p> </li> </ol> <div class="admonition keyboard_tip"> <p>Use the <kbd>N</kbd> key to go to the next unread topic, or <kbd>Shift</kbd> + <kbd>N</kbd> for the next unread <a href="/help/follow-a-topic">followed</a> topic, or <kbd>P</kbd> for the next unread direct message conversation.</p> </div> <p></div> </div> </div></p> <h3 id="following-muting-and-unmuting-conversations">Following, muting and unmuting conversations</h3> <p>You can improve your workflow for catching up on messages by taking advantage of <a href="/help/follow-a-topic">following topics</a>, as well as muting and unmuting <a href="/help/mute-a-channel">channels</a> and <a href="/help/mute-a-topic">topics</a>. Some example workflows:</p> <ul> <li> <p><a href="/help/follow-a-topic#catch-up-on-followed-topics">Catch up</a> on followed topics at the start of the day, and whenever you want to spend a few minutes checking on on the conversations that need your attention.</p> </li> <li> <p>No more stressing about missing a reply to your message in channels you don't regularly read. You can <a href="/help/follow-a-topic#automatically-follow-topics">automatically follow</a> topics you start or participate in.</p> </li> <li> <p>You can also <a href="/help/mute-a-channel">mute</a> the channels you don't regularly read, and <a href="/help/follow-a-topic#automatically-follow-topics">automatically follow or unmute</a> topics you start or participate in. In muted channels, topics you follow are automatically treated as <a href="/help/mute-a-topic">unmuted</a>, so it will be easy to see when someone responds to your message.</p> </li> <li> <p>If you like, follow just the topics where your prompt attention is needed, and <a href="/help/follow-a-topic#configure-notifications-for-followed-topics">enable desktop and mobile notifications</a> for followed topics.</p> </li> </ul> <h2 id="combined-views">Combined views</h2> <h3 id="combined-feed">Combined feed</h3> <p>The <strong>Combined feed</strong> view is a feed of all the unmuted messages you have received, which combines channel messages and direct messages. It's a great way to see new messages as they come in.</p> <p>You can configure <strong>Combined feed</strong> to be the <a href="/help/configure-home-view#configure-home-view">home view</a> for the Zulip web app.</p> <p><div class="tabbed-section has-tabs" markdown="1"> <ul class="nav"> <li data-tab-key="desktop-web" tabindex="0">Desktop/Web</li> <li data-tab-key="mobile" tabindex="0">Mobile</li> </ul> <div class="blocks"> <div class="tab-content" data-tab-key="desktop-web" markdown="1"></p> <ol> <li>Click on <i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-all-messages"></i> <strong>Combined feed</strong> (or <i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-all-messages"></i> if the <strong>views</strong> section is collapsed) in the left sidebar, or use the <kbd>A</kbd> keyboard shortcut.</li> </ol> <p></div> <div class="tab-content" data-tab-key="mobile" markdown="1"></p> <ol> <li>Tap the <strong>Combined feed</strong> (<img src="/static/images/help/mobile-globe-icon.svg" alt="globe" class="help-center-icon"/>) tab in the upper left corner of the app.</li> </ol> <p></div> </div> </div></p> <h3 id="direct-message-feed">Direct message feed</h3> <p>You can see all your direct messages in one place.</p> <p><div class="tabbed-section has-tabs" markdown="1"> <ul class="nav"> <li data-tab-key="desktop-web" tabindex="0">Desktop/Web</li> </ul> <div class="blocks"> <div class="tab-content" data-tab-key="desktop-web" markdown="1"></p> <ol> <li> <p>Click on the <strong>Direct message feed</strong> (<i class="fa fa-align-right"></i>) icon next to <strong>DIRECT MESSAGES</strong> in the left sidebar.</p> </li> <li> <p>Read your direct messages, starting from your first unread message. You can scroll using your mouse, the arrow keys, <kbd>End</kbd>, or page up/down.</p> </li> <li> <p>You can click on a conversation in the left sidebar or a message recipient bar to view that conversation.</p> </li> </ol> <div class="admonition keyboard_tip"> <p>Use the <kbd>Shift</kbd> + <kbd>P</kbd> keyboard shortcut to go to <strong>Direct message feed</strong>.</p> </div> <p></div> </div> </div></p> <h3 id="channel-view">Channel view</h3> <p>Sometimes it's useful to scroll through all the messages in a channel, especially in situations where you just want a general idea of what's going on.</p> <p><div class="tabbed-section has-tabs" markdown="1"> <ul class="nav"> <li data-tab-key="desktop-web" tabindex="0">Desktop/Web</li> </ul> <div class="blocks"> <div class="tab-content" data-tab-key="desktop-web" markdown="1"></p> <ol> <li> <p>Find the channel you want to read in the left sidebar. If you don't see it right away, you can search for a channel by clicking on <strong>CHANNELS</strong> in the left sidebar, or using the <kbd>Q</kbd> <a href="/help/keyboard-shortcuts">keyboard shortcut</a>.</p> </li> <li> <p>Click on the channel name in the left sidebar.</p> </li> <li> <p>Read messages in the channel, starting from your first unread message. You can scroll using your mouse, the arrow keys, <kbd>End</kbd>, or page up/down.</p> </li> <li> <p>You can click on a topic in the left sidebar or a message recipient bar to view that topic.</p> </li> </ol> <p></div> </div> </div></p> <h2 id="special-views">Special views</h2> <h3 id="mentions">Mentions</h3> <p>The mentions view lets you quickly find all the places where you were <a href="/help/mention-a-user-or-group">mentioned</a>. Reviewing your mentions can be a good way to start your day.</p> <p><div class="tabbed-section has-tabs" markdown="1"> <ul class="nav"> <li data-tab-key="desktop-web" tabindex="0">Desktop/Web</li> <li data-tab-key="mobile" tabindex="0">Mobile</li> </ul> <div class="blocks"> <div class="tab-content" data-tab-key="desktop-web" markdown="1"></p> <ol> <li> <p>Click on <i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-at-sign"></i> <strong>Mentions</strong> (or <i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-at-sign"></i> if the <strong>views</strong> section is collapsed) in the left sidebar.</p> </li> <li> <p>Browse your mentions. You can click on a message recipient bar to go to the <a href="/help/reading-conversations">conversation</a> where you were mentioned.</p> </li> </ol> <div class="admonition tip"> <p>You can also <a href="/help/search-for-messages">search your mentions</a> using the <code>is:mentioned</code> filter.</p> </div> <p></div> <div class="tab-content" data-tab-key="mobile" markdown="1"></p> <ol> <li> <p>Tap the <strong>Mentions</strong> (<img src="/static/images/help/mobile-at-sign-icon.svg" alt="at-sign" class="help-center-icon"/>) tab at the top of the app.</p> </li> <li> <p>Browse your mentions. You can tap on a message recipient bar to go to the conversation where you were mentioned.</p> </li> </ol> <p></div> </div> </div></p> <h3 id="starred-messages">Starred messages</h3> <p>You can <a href="/help/star-a-message">star messages</a> that you plan to follow up on later.</p> <h4 id="view-starred-messages">View starred messages</h4> <p><div class="tabbed-section has-tabs" markdown="1"> <ul class="nav"> <li data-tab-key="desktop-web" tabindex="0">Desktop/Web</li> <li data-tab-key="mobile" tabindex="0">Mobile</li> </ul> <div class="blocks"> <div class="tab-content" data-tab-key="desktop-web" markdown="1"></p> <ol> <li>Click on <i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-star"></i> <strong>Starred messages</strong> (or <i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-star"></i> if the <strong>views</strong> section is collapsed) in the left sidebar.</li> </ol> <div class="admonition tip"> <p>You can also <a href="/help/search-for-messages">search your starred messages</a> using the <code>is:starred</code> filter.</p> </div> <div class="admonition keyboard_tip"> <p>Use <kbd>*</kbd> to view your starred messages.</p> </div> <p></div> <div class="tab-content" data-tab-key="mobile" markdown="1"></p> <ol> <li>Tap the <strong>Starred messages</strong> (<img src="/static/images/help/mobile-star-icon.svg" alt="star" class="help-center-icon"/>) tab at the top of the app.</li> </ol> <p></div> </div> </div></p> <h2 id="related-articles">Related articles</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/help/getting-started-with-zulip">Getting started with Zulip</a></li> <li><a href="/help/recent-conversations">Recent conversations</a></li> <li><a href="/help/search-for-messages">Searching for messages</a></li> <li><a href="/help/marking-messages-as-read">Marking messages as read</a></li> <li><a href="/help/marking-messages-as-unread">Marking messages as unread</a></li> </ul> <div class="documentation-footer"> <hr /> <p>Your feedback helps us make Zulip better for everyone! 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