š Overview
Messages is Structur's built-in team communication tool. Instead of jumping between your platform and a separate chat app, you can send messages, share updates, and have conversations with your team without ever leaving Structur.
Every conversation in Messages is organized into one inbox with four filter tabs: All Messages, Tasks, Groups, and DM's. Your task conversations, group chats, and direct messages all live in the same place, so nothing gets buried across different tools. You can search across all threads, jump into any conversation, and pick up right where you left off.
Messages also connects directly to your tasks. Every task in Structur has its own conversation thread, and those threads show up in the Tasks tab so task-related communication stays tied to the work itself. When someone comments on a task, that conversation is always one click away.
š Understanding Messages
ā” What It Does
Messages allows you and your team to:
Send direct messages to any team member one-on-one using a private DM thread
Create group chats with any combination of team members for project teams, trade crews, or any working group
Message around tasks -- every task has its own conversation thread that appears in the Tasks tab
Filter your inbox -- use the four tabs to view All Messages, Tasks only, Groups only, or DM's only
Search conversations -- find any message or thread quickly using the search bar
Attach files to messages, record voice messages, and send emoji reactions
Mark threads as unread to flag conversations you want to come back to
š When to Use It
Messages is most valuable when you want to:
Send a quick update or question to a team member without leaving Structur
Keep a group of people on the same page about a specific job or crew
Have a conversation directly tied to a task without using email or text
Review all your team communication in one organized inbox
Loop in additional team members on an ongoing conversation
š Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Open Messages
Click Messages in the left sidebar
Your inbox opens showing all current threads. If no threads exist yet, the right panel shows "Select a thread to start messaging."
2. Filter Your Inbox
Use the four tabs at the top of the thread list to filter your conversations: All Messages (shows every thread in your inbox regardless of type), Tasks (shows only conversation threads tied to tasks), Groups (shows only group chat threads), and DM's (shows only direct message threads).
Note: The tabs are filters, not separate inboxes. All messages from all thread types appear in All Messages. Switch tabs to focus on a specific type of conversation.
3. Start a Direct Message
Click + New Message at the bottom of the thread list
The New Message modal opens
Select the Direct Message tab
Click into the User field and search for the team member you want to message
Select their name from the list
Click Create Chat
The DM thread opens in the right panel and is ready for your first message.
4. Create a Group Chat
Click + New Message at the bottom of the thread list
The New Message modal opens
Select the Group Chat tab
Enter a Group Name
Click into the Members field and search for team members to add
Check the box next to each person you want to include
Click Create Chat
The group thread opens in the right panel ready to use.
Note: You can also create groups in Settings > Groups. Groups created there appear automatically in your Messages inbox under the Groups tab.
5. Send a Message
Click any thread in the left panel to open it
Click into the Type a message... input field at the bottom of the right panel
Type your message
Press Enter or click the send icon to send
Additional options in the message bar: Paperclip icon (attach a file to your message), Microphone icon (record and send a voice message), and Emoji icon (add an emoji to your message).
6. Use Task Conversations
Every task in Structur has its own conversation thread. To access it:
Click the Tasks tab in Messages to see all task conversation threads
Click any task thread to open it
The thread header shows the task name, a Related Task link, and a Mark As Unread button
Type your message and send
Clicking Related Task in the thread header takes you directly to the task itself.
Note: Task conversation threads are created automatically when a task exists. You do not need to create them manually.
7. Mark a Thread as Unread
To flag a conversation to come back to later:
Open the thread
Click Mark As Unread in the top right of the thread panel
The thread returns to an unread state in your inbox so it stands out when you return to Messages.
ā Best Practices
Use Groups for ongoing crews or teams -- create a group for your field crew, your project managers, or any team that needs a persistent shared thread rather than starting a new DM every time.
Use the Tasks tab to keep task communication organized -- instead of texting or emailing about a specific task, use the task's conversation thread so all context stays tied to the work.
Name group chats clearly -- a group named "Riverside Project Team" is easier to find later than one named "Group 1."
Use Mark As Unread as a to-do flag -- if you open a message but can't respond right away, mark it unread so you remember to come back to it.
Search before starting a new thread -- use the search bar to check if a conversation already exists before creating a duplicate group or DM.
Groups from Settings show up here automatically -- if your Owner or Super Admin has already set up groups in Settings > Groups, you'll see them in your Groups tab without any extra setup.
ā Common Questions
Q: What is the difference between a Group Chat and a DM?
A: A Direct Message is a private one-on-one conversation between you and one other team member. A Group Chat includes three or more people and has a shared group name. Both appear in your Messages inbox but in separate tabs.
Q: Can I add someone to a group chat after it has been created?
A: Currently, group membership is set at creation. If you need to add someone to an existing group, the best option is to create a new group that includes the additional member or add them via Settings > Groups.
Q: What shows up in the Tasks tab?
A: The Tasks tab shows conversation threads tied to tasks. Every task in Structur has its own message thread, and those threads appear here. It is a filter of your full inbox, not a separate messaging area.
Q: Can I send files in Messages?
A: Yes. Click the paperclip icon in the message input bar to attach a file to any message.
Q: Do Groups created in Settings > Groups show up in Messages automatically?
A: Yes. Any group created in Settings > Groups appears automatically in your Messages inbox under the Groups tab. You can also create groups directly from Messages using the + New Message button.
Q: Can I message someone who is an unlicensed user?
A: Unlicensed users do not have login access and cannot receive or send messages. Messages is available to licensed users only.
Q: Can I delete a message or a thread?
A: Click the three-dot menu in the top right of any open thread for available options including additional thread actions.
ā ļø Common Mistakes to Avoid
ā Don't | ā Do |
Use text or email to discuss a specific task | Use the task's conversation thread in the Tasks tab so context stays tied to the work |
Create a new DM every time you need to message the same group | Create a Group Chat for any team that communicates regularly |
Expect an unlicensed user to receive messages | Add them as a licensed user so they can access Messages |
Leave threads unread and lose track of them | Use Mark As Unread to flag conversations you need to return to |
Name group chats generically | Give groups clear, descriptive names so they are easy to find later |