---
title: Send a direct message
type: how-to
section: spaces
summary: Open DMs in the destination rail, choose the plus button, pick one person for a direct message or several for a group.
applies_to:
  clients: [web]
sources:
  - evolve-front-end/components/team-chat/dialogs/team-chat-create-direct-message-dialog.tsx
  - evolve-front-end/components/team-chat/page-nav/nav-notes-to-self.test.tsx
  - evolve-front-end/app/i18n/locales/en/team-chat.json
verified:
  at: 2026-09-04
  env: code
  by: content-lane-spaces
ttl_days: 45
related: [spaces/what-a-space-is, spaces/notifications-and-mute]
aliases: [team-chat/direct-messages, spaces/dms]
---

1. Choose **DMs** at the top of the destination rail on the far left.
2. Choose the plus button, **New direct message**.
3. Search for people by **Name or email**.
4. Choose **Start direct message** for one person, or **Start group message ({{count}} people)** for several.

A one-to-one conversation with somebody you have written to before resumes rather than creating a second one. A group message is always new, and it can hold at most 10 people including you.

## Notes to self

**Notes to self** is a conversation with nobody else in it. Open it with **Open Notes to self** in the direct messages section. It behaves like any other conversation: attachments, threads, pins, and search all work.

## Removing a direct message from your list

Open the context menu on a direct message row and choose **Delete for me**. The dialog says **This removes the conversation from your list only. Nothing is deleted, the other side is not affected, and the conversation returns if a new message arrives.** Only direct messages can be removed this way.

To leave a group message for good, choose **Leave group** on its row.

## Blocking somebody

Open a person's entry in the member list and choose **Block {{name}}**. The dialog says **Messages from {{name}} will be hidden, and notifications from them will be suppressed. You can unblock them at any time in Profile settings under Blocked people.** Unblock from **Spaces settings**, under **Blocked people**.

## If it did not work

- **No matching people** with **Try another name or email.** means the search found nobody. Try the email address.
- **A group message can have at most 10 people.** means you picked too many. Remove somebody, or create a channel instead.
- **The conversation could not be opened. Try again.** is a service failure. Choose the action again.
- **You cannot send messages to a member you have blocked.** means you blocked the other person. Unblock them in **Spaces settings**.