Messages is always on. It replaces the email thread: every conversation with a client lives next to their projects and invoices, and updates live on both sides.

How conversations are organized

• Each client has a General conversation, plus one for each project, so "Website redesign" chat stays separate from billing questions.
• In the admin, Messages lists your conversations. Pick one to read and reply, with formatting such as bold and lists.
• In the portal, clients open Messages and choose a project or General.

The client panel

Beside each conversation in the admin is a panel with the client's profile, contacts and custom fields, and a place for private notes. Notes are marked Only your team can see this; add one with the + button. They never appear in the client's portal.

Notifications

• When you send a message, the client gets an email (unless you've switched client emails off) and the message is waiting in their portal.
• When a client writes, it shows in your bell and Notifications feed.
• Messages work well on phones: the conversation list and the thread are separate screens on a small display.

Messages stuck or not appearing? See Messages not loading.