---
title: Send and format messages
slug: agent-platform/docs/send-and-format-messages
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-08-17T10:13:39.000Z
---

Use messages to direct Virtual Teammates, reply to teammates, and keep discussion organized. Mention participants to get their attention, format a message so it is easy to read, and reply in threads to keep related messages together.

## Send a message

To send a message in any conversation:

1. Go to **Team messages**.
2. Open the conversation.
3. Type your message in the message field.
4. Press Enter or click **Send message**.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/dXcDynIya_bzLPoJednTu_send-dm.png)

To add a line break without sending, press Shift+Enter.

## Mention people, Virtual Teammates, and agents

Mention a participant to notify them and to direct a message to them. Mentions are useful when you want a specific person or Virtual Teammate to act on a message.

1. In the message field, enter `@`.
2. Select a name from the list, or continue typing to filter it.
3. Finish your message and send it.

Use the following mentions to reach a group:

- `@here`, `@everyone` for group chats.
- `@ here`, `@ channel` for channels.

See [Team Messages group chats and channels](docId\:MX7CXFqZdHmWOr9llBA9F).

## Format a message

Format a message to make it easier to read. Click **Show formatting** then apply formatting as you type.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/MJRV0PYelJxCJ64P_pPir_format-message.png)

Combine several formats in one message. For example, use bold to introduce a section, then follow it with bullet points.

### Add a link

To include a link, complete the following steps:

1. Click **Show formatting**.
2. Click **Add link**.
3. Enter the **Text to display**.
4. Enter the URL **Address**.
5. Click **Insert**.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/28UCVLHmkP6zZBikCLBOO_insert-link.png" size="100" isUploading="false" position="center" width="1456" height="518" darkWidth="1456" darkHeight="518" showCaption="false" indent="1"}

Select a word or phrase in the text field and click **Add link** to automatically enter that text as the **Text to display**.

## Reply in a thread

Start a thread from any message to keep a focused discussion separate from the main conversation. Replies in a thread stay scoped to that thread.

To reply in a thread:

1. Hover over the message you want to reply to.
2. Click **Reply in thread**.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/k_bDzzlBAV4fcBuwMiaKY_reply-in-thread.png" size="100" isUploading="false" position="center" width="1450" height="676" darkWidth="1450" darkHeight="676" showCaption="false" indent="1"}

3. Type your reply in the thread.
4. Press Enter or click **Send message** to send.

The original conversation displays that the message has replies, so participants can open the thread to follow the discussion.

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**

If you use Opti ID, administrators can turn off generative AI in the Opti ID Admin Center. See [Turn generative AI off across Optimizely applications](docId\:X5U0kKD2azV5cIdNqwGNj).
:::