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

# Messages & Conversations

> Send direct messages and group conversations to people in your district.

Messaging in Credentials Portal lets you have private conversations with individuals or groups within your district. Messages are real-time and support automatic translation across languages.

\[Screenshot: Messages list view showing recent conversations with unread indicators]

## Start a new conversation

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Messages">
    Click **Messages** in the main navigation.

    \[Screenshot: Main navigation with Messages highlighted]
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a new conversation">
    Click the **New Message** button (pencil icon).

    \[Screenshot: New Message button in the Messages view]
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select recipients">
    Search for people in your district by name and select one or more. Selecting one person creates a direct message; selecting multiple creates a group conversation.

    \[Screenshot: Recipient search field with autocomplete suggestions]
  </Step>

  <Step title="Write and send">
    Type your message and press **Send** (or hit Enter).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Sending messages

Within a conversation, type your message in the input field at the bottom and press **Send**. You can also add **emoji reactions** to any message by hovering over it and clicking the reaction button.

\[Screenshot: Active conversation with the message input field and a reaction hover state]

## Automatic translation

If a recipient has a different language set in their profile, Credentials Portal automatically translates your message into their language when they read it. You don't need to do anything — translation happens in the background.

<Tip>
  Translation works in both directions. Replies from others are translated into your language as well.
</Tip>

## Leaving a conversation

To leave a conversation, open it and click the **Leave** option in the conversation menu. You won't receive new messages in that conversation after leaving. If you're the last person to leave, the conversation is deleted.

## Finding past conversations

Your full conversation history appears in the Messages list. Conversations are sorted by most recent activity. Unread conversations are marked with a bold indicator.

\[Screenshot: Messages list with unread conversation highlighted in bold]