Direct messages are private one-to-one conversations between two Sutra users. They are useful for a quick personal note, a follow-up after a discussion, or a conversation that does not belong in the wider community space.
Before you start
You need to be signed in.
The person you want to message needs to be an existing Sutra user.
Direct messages are one-to-one. Sutra does not currently support group direct messages.
Start a direct message
Open the other person's profile or member surface.
Select Message.
Write your message in the conversation.
Send it.
If this is your first message with that person, Sutra creates a private conversation for the two of you. If a conversation already exists, Sutra opens the same thread again.
Read your direct messages
Use the direct messages area in the header to see your conversations and unread activity. An unread badge means there has been activity since you last viewed that conversation.
Unread badges are for your own navigation. Sutra does not show sender-facing read receipts that tell someone whether you personally read a message.
How direct messages differ from discussions
Community discussions belong to a space and are visible according to that space's permissions. Direct messages are private pair conversations. They use the same rich message system, but they are not part of a managed community feed.
A space manager does not automatically get access to members' unrelated direct messages just because they manage a shared community.
What happens next
Your conversation stays available from your direct messages list. Removing someone from a community does not automatically erase the direct conversation between the two of you, because the community membership and the pair conversation are separate.
Troubleshooting
If you do not see Message, make sure you are not viewing your own profile and that the other person is an eligible user.
If an unread badge seems surprising, open the conversation; badges are based on activity since your last viewed time.
If you expected a group chat, use a community discussion or another shared space instead.
If you want fewer message notifications, review your general account email preferences.