Channels and threads

# Channels and threads, like in Slack

XenRooms organises team talk in channels – open to everyone or private – with threads, so a discussion does not bury the channel. Direct messages, mentions, reactions, files, code snippets and a search across everything work the way your team knows from Slack.

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## What you do with it

### Open and private channels

One channel per project, team or customer. Open channels anyone in the company can join; private ones only by invitation.

### Threads and direct messages

Answer in a thread to keep the channel readable. Direct messages one to one or in groups of up to eight people.

### Code and snippets

Code blocks with syntax highlighting and a copy button; longer code as a snippet with a name and language, like in Slack.

### Find it again

Search all channels and messages, pin what matters, save messages for later and jump anywhere with Ctrl+K.

## In detail

- Open and private channels with a topic; any channel can be renamed and archived
- Threads with their own unread marks
- Direct messages one to one and groups of up to eight people
- @mentions of people, reactions with any emoji
- Pinned and saved messages
- Files and several images in one message – paste, drop or attach them, add text, then send
- Code blocks with syntax highlighting; snippets with name, language and line numbers
- Edit and delete your own messages; on the phone with a long press
- Search across all channels and messages; Ctrl+K to jump to any channel or person
- Favourite channels at the top of the sidebar, the same on every device

## Questions

**Does XenRooms have threads like Slack?**

Yes. Every message can start a thread; replies stay in the thread and the channel stays readable. Threads have their own unread marks, and “What did I miss?” summarises them too.

**Can we share code in XenRooms?**

Yes. Code blocks get syntax highlighting and a copy button; longer code goes in as a snippet with a name and a language, like in Slack. Pasting a long text offers to send it as a snippet.

**How big can a group direct message be?**

Up to eight people. For more people, use a private channel.

**Can we import channels from Slack?**

Not yet: there is no import from Slack. Webhooks in the Slack format keep working, so tools that post into Slack can post into XenRooms.

Read on: [Other companies](https://xenrooms.com/features/external-chat/) · [Calls](https://xenrooms.com/features/calls/) · [Apps](https://xenrooms.com/apps/) · [Features](https://xenrooms.com/features/)

## Your team chat on a server of its own?

Free for up to 10 people, in a minute. For larger teams or your own servers we set up XenRooms for you.

[Start for free](https://xenrooms.app/en/start/) [Book a demo](https://essotec.xenaxio.com/book/es/first-call)

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Source: https://xenrooms.com/features/channels/ (English, updated 2026-10-31)
Other languages: Deutsch: https://xenrooms.com/de/funktionen/kanaele/index.html.md