Overview
Initiate new chat conversations from either the main workspace panel or within specific folders. This tutorial covers both methods for starting chats and when to use each approach for optimal organization.
Learning Objectives:
Locate and use the "+ New Chat" button in the left panel
Create chats within specific folders using the folder menu
Understand the differences between the two creation methods
Verify chat creation and begin messaging immediately
Prerequisites
You'll Need:
Access to a workspace
Active workspace membership
At least one folder created (recommended for organized workflows)
Starting a New Chat
Create Chat from Left Panel
When to Use: Starting general conversations or when you haven't yet decided which folder to use.
Navigate to the left panel to view your workspace navigation menu
Click the "+ New Chat" button located at the top-left corner of the left panel, directly above your chat list
Result: A new chat opens in the main panel with the cursor active in the message input area, ready for your first message.
Tip: Chats created this way appear in your main chat list and can be moved to folders later using drag-and-drop or the "Move to Folder" option.
Create Chat within a Folder
When to Use: Creating project-specific or topic-organized conversations from the beginning.
Navigate to the left panel and locate your target folder in the folder list
Click the folder's Actions menu (⋯) next to the folder name to open the folder options
Select "+ Create Chat" from the dropdown menu that appears
Result: A new chat opens in the main panel. The chat is immediately associated with and appears within the selected folder in the left panel.
Note: The folder's Actions menu (⋯) appears when you hover over the folder name with your mouse pointer.
Best Practices
Name chats descriptively: Before sending your first message, click the chat header and rename it from "New Chat" to something specific like "Q4 Budget Review" or "Client Onboarding - Acme Corp." This makes finding conversations later much easier.
Set permissions immediately for sensitive topics: If discussing confidential information, click the chat settings (gear icon) immediately after creation to adjust visibility before sharing sensitive details.
Use folder creation for ongoing projects: For multi-day or multi-week projects, always create chats within the relevant folder to keep related conversations grouped together automatically.
Pin important chats: After creating high-priority chats, pin them to the top of your chat list using the pin icon so they remain easily accessible.
Establish team conventions: Agree on whether to use left panel or folder creation for different chat types to maintain consistency across your team's workspace.
Create template chats: For recurring meeting types, create a chat with standard sections, pin it, and duplicate it for each new occurrence instead of starting from scratch.
Common Questions
Q: Can I move a chat to a different folder after creating it?
A: Yes. Drag and drop the chat from the left panel list onto any folder, or click the chat's Actions menu (⋯) and select "Move to Folder."
Q: What happens if I start a chat in the wrong folder?
A: You can move it immediately using the method above. There's no penalty or limitation on moving chats between folders.
Q: Can I start a chat without selecting any folder?
A: Yes. Using the left panel "+ New Chat" button creates the chat at the root level (general area) outside of any specific folder.
Q: Is there a limit to how many chats I can create?
A: No hard limit exists for chat creation. However, performance may degrade if you maintain thousands of active chats. Archive completed conversations regularly.
Q: Can others see my new chat immediately?
A: Depends on the workspace default permissions. Most workspaces create chats as private initially. Check the lock icon in the chat header—locked means private, unlocked means visible to workspace members.
Q: How do I delete a chat I just created by mistake?
A: Click the chat's Actions menu (⋯) and select "Delete Chat." Confirm the deletion. Deleted chats cannot be recovered.
Q: Can I start a chat directly with another user?
A: Yes. Use the "+ New Chat" button, then click the "Invite" or "Share" option in the chat header to add specific users for a direct conversation.
Q: What's the difference between "New Chat" and "Create Chat"?
A: No functional difference—both create identical chat sessions. The different wording appears based on whether you're in the main panel (+ New Chat) or folder menu (+ Create Chat).