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Direct messages (DMs) in Sable provide private one-on-one or small group conversations with other Matrix users.

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What are Direct Messages?

Direct messages are private, encrypted conversations between you and one or more other users. Unlike regular rooms, DMs are:
  • Automatically marked as “direct” in your room list
  • Usually encrypted by default
  • Organized in a dedicated DMs section for easy access
  • Less formal than creating a dedicated room
Direct messages are technically Matrix rooms with special metadata marking them as direct chats. This means they support all the same features as regular rooms.

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Starting a Direct Message

To start a new DM:
  1. Click the Create Chat or New DM button
  2. Enter the Matrix ID of the person you want to message (e.g., @user:matrix.org)
  3. Optionally search for users on your homeserver
  4. Click Create or Start Chat
The new DM will appear in your direct messages section.
You can also start a DM by clicking on a user’s profile in a room and selecting “Start Direct Message” or “Message”.

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DM Invites

When someone wants to start a DM with you, they’ll send you an invite:

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Accepting DM Invites

  1. You’ll receive a notification of the invite
  2. Navigate to your invites section
  3. Review who sent the invite
  4. Click Accept to start the conversation or Reject to decline
Sable 1.2.2 streamlined the confusing DM invite user experience to make it clearer when you’re receiving a DM invite versus a room invite.

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Managing Invites

  • View pending invites in your sidebar
  • See who invited you and when
  • Accept or reject invites at any time
  • Block users to prevent future invites

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Group Direct Messages

You can create DMs with multiple people:
  1. Click Create Chat
  2. Add multiple users by entering their Matrix IDs
  3. All participants will be invited to the group DM
Group DMs work like regular DMs but with more than two participants.
Group DMs are different from private rooms - they’re still marked as direct chats and appear in your DMs section.

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Multiple Accounts

Sable supports using multiple Matrix accounts simultaneously:

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Account Switching

If account switching is enabled (default):
  1. Click your profile avatar or account menu
  2. Select Switch Account or click another account
  3. Your DMs and rooms for that account will load

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Managing Multiple Accounts

  • Each account has its own set of DMs and rooms
  • Switch between accounts without logging out
  • Receive notifications from all accounts
  • Different homeservers supported per account
Use multiple accounts to separate work and personal conversations, or to access different Matrix networks and homeservers.

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Adding Accounts

To add another account:
  1. Click your profile or account menu
  2. Select Add Account
  3. Log in with your Matrix credentials
  4. The new account is added to your account list

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DM Organization

Keep your direct messages organized:

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DM Section

  • All DMs appear in a dedicated section in the sidebar
  • Sorted by most recent activity
  • Unread indicators show new messages
  • Search DMs by participant name

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Favorites

  • Mark important DMs as favorites
  • Favorites appear at the top of your list
  • Right-click or use the room menu to favorite

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Notifications

  • Configure per-DM notification settings
  • Mute DMs you don’t want notifications from
  • Set custom notification sounds
  • Desktop and mobile notifications supported

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DM Features

Direct messages support all standard messaging features:
  • Text messages with Markdown formatting
  • File attachments including images, videos, and documents
  • Reactions with emoji
  • Replies and threaded conversations
  • Message editing and deletion
  • End-to-end encryption for privacy
  • Read receipts and typing indicators
See the Messaging Features page for detailed information on these features.

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Privacy and Security

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Encryption

Direct messages are typically encrypted by default:
  • End-to-end encryption ensures only participants can read messages
  • Encryption keys are managed automatically
  • Verify encryption status with other participants
  • Shield icons indicate encrypted conversations
Once encryption is enabled in a DM, it cannot be disabled. This ensures your conversation history remains private.

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Verification

Verify the identity of people you DM with:
  1. Open the user’s profile from the DM
  2. Click Verify or View Encryption Keys
  3. Compare verification codes or scan QR codes
  4. Mark the user as verified
Verified users show a verified badge, confirming their identity.

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Blocking Users

If you need to block someone:
  1. Open the user’s profile
  2. Click Block User
  3. Confirm the action
Blocked users:
  • Cannot send you DM invites
  • Cannot see your online status
  • Are hidden from your room lists

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DM Settings

Customize individual DM settings:
  • Notifications: Configure alert preferences
  • Encryption: View encryption status and keys
  • Participants: See who’s in the DM (for group DMs)
  • Leave: Exit the DM conversation
Access DM settings from the room header menu within the DM.

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Finding DM Conversations

Quickly find DMs:
  • Use the search feature to find DMs by participant name
  • Search message content within DMs
  • Filter by unread or favorites

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Recent Activity

Your DM list automatically sorts by activity:
  • Most recently active DMs appear at the top
  • Unread messages push DMs higher in the list
  • Easily find active conversations
If you have many DMs, use the search feature to quickly find the conversation you’re looking for instead of scrolling through the list.

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