---
audience: beginner
summary: 1:1 conversations with another participant.
title: Start a direct message
path: tutorials/first-steps/start-a-direct-message
status: published
---

# Start a direct message

A direct message (DM) is a 1:1 conversation. ScaiWave treats it as
just another room — the only differences are it has exactly two
participants, and the room "name" is resolved per-viewer (you see
the other person's name; they see yours).

## Three ways to start one

### From the People panel

Sidebar → **People** section → search → click their name. If a DM
between the two of you already exists, it opens. If not, a new one
is created.

### From a mention

In any group room, click on someone's avatar or `@name`. A profile
card opens with **Message** as a button. Click it.

### From a search result

The global search returns participants among its results. Click → DM.

## What's different about a DM

- **Name resolves per-viewer**: in the database, `Room.name` stays
  `NULL` for DMs. The client computes the display name as "the other
  member" each time it renders.
- **Auto-close on both-left**: when both members leave or close, the
  room is archived. Either can rejoin to revive.
- **Cannot add more members**: it's strictly two-party.
- **Notifications default to `all`**: DMs are presumed important.
  Change with the bell menu.

## Federated DMs

If you want a DM with someone on another tenant (or another ScaiWave
server), use **People → Search → Federated**. You can search across
the federated directory if the other server allows it; pick the
person; the system creates a DM that's bridged across the two
servers' federation links. See [Federation](/docs/scaiwave/concepts/federation).

## What if you want a 1:1 with an AI?

That's also a DM, technically — but easier to start from the **AI
Assistants** section in the sidebar. Click an AI's name → opens (or
creates) a DM with it. See [Chat with AI](/docs/scaiwave/tutorials/first-steps/chat-with-ai).

## Where to go next

- [Chat with AI](/docs/scaiwave/tutorials/first-steps/chat-with-ai).
- [Manage your availability](/docs/scaiwave/tutorials/first-steps/manage-your-availability) — set
  `busy` to discourage DMs while you focus.