Direct messages

# Find messages, files and links

Search a conversation and browse the files and links shared in it.

-   The details dialog shows files, links and members separately.
-   In the files view, you can preview files and download the ones you pick.
-   Search inside a conversation can take you to the matching message.

Direct conversations use the optional chats app. Your server needs to install it and turn on rooms. Search across all message text isn't available. File type filters only apply to the parts of a conversation that have loaded.

![The open conversation menu offers Add to favorites, Files, Links, Members and Mute above the conversation of Alex, Sam and Maya.](https://welley.com/assets/media/dm-conversation-menu-1584.0b8230da.webp)

Add a conversation to your favorites, mute it, or open its shared files, links and members.

![The Conversation details dialog lists the three members Alex Morgan, Sam Rivera and Maya Chen beside the Files and Links tabs.](https://welley.com/assets/media/dm-exact-members-1200.2c4d36a7.webp)

Each conversation has a set list of members. Only those people get its messages.

![Conversation search for bulbs shows the matching message from Maya Chen about 60 tulips and 40 daffodils.](https://welley.com/assets/media/dm-conversation-search-1584.f030b48b.webp)

Search one conversation for a word and see the messages that match.

[Previous: Message actions](https://welley.com/messages/dm-message-actions/) [Next: Who's online and typing](https://welley.com/messages/dm-presence-and-typing/) [Back to Direct messages](https://welley.com/messages/#direct-messages)