> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.uplifter-curling.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What is Chat?

> One-to-one conversations between your club and a member over the web, SMS or email, kept in one inbox.

<Note>
  **Must know**

  * Available when a superadmin enables **Chat** for your club. CCM had no member-to-staff messaging.
  * Each person has one conversation per club. Members reply from the members' area (**Chat**), coaches from the coach portal.
  * The **Web & SMS** channel appears only when SMS Messaging is also enabled and needs a verified phone number; **Web & Email** needs an email address.
  * When Chat is switched off for a club, its conversations simply drop out of members' chat lists — nothing is deleted.
</Note>

**Communication → Chat** opens the **Conversations** inbox with a **Search...** box. Click **New Conversation**; the dialog asks you to "Choose a channel and select a user to start a conversation." Pick a **Channel** — **Web Only**, **Web & SMS** or **Web & Email** — and the person, then type into **Type a message...**.

Inside a thread you can **Close Conversation** (and later **Reopen**), **Archive** and **Unarchive**. Badges mark a thread **Closed**, **Archived** or **Opted Out** ("This recipient has opted out of SMS messages.").

Inbound texts from members — including replies to an SMS campaign — land in the same inbox under the **Web & SMS** channel, so the club has one place to answer.

**Related:** [How do I send an SMS campaign?](/club/communications/how-do-i-send-an-sms-campaign) · [What do members see of the messages I send?](/club/communications/what-do-members-see-of-the-messages-i-send) · [How do I post an announcement?](/club/communications/how-do-i-post-an-announcement)


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