# ɳChat User Guide

**Version**: 1.0.0
**Welcome to ɳChat** - Modern team communication made simple.

---

## Table of Contents

1. [Getting Started](#getting-started)
2. [Creating Your Account](#creating-your-account)
3. [Channels](#channels)
4. [Messaging](#messaging)
5. [Voice & Video Calls](#voice--video-calls)
6. [File Sharing](#file-sharing)
7. [Reactions & Threads](#reactions--threads)
8. [Search & Discovery](#search--discovery)
9. [Notifications](#notifications)
10. [Settings & Preferences](#settings--preferences)
11. [Keyboard Shortcuts](#keyboard-shortcuts)
12. [Mobile Apps](#mobile-apps)
13. [Tips & Tricks](#tips--tricks)
14. [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting)

---

## Getting Started

### What is ɳChat?

ɳChat is a modern team communication platform that combines the best features of Slack, Discord, Telegram, and Signal. Built with security and performance in mind, ɳChat provides:

- **Real-time messaging** with rich text formatting
- **Voice and video calls** with crystal-clear quality
- **End-to-end encryption** for private conversations
- **File sharing** with preview support
- **Powerful search** to find anything instantly
- **Multi-platform** support (web, desktop, mobile)

### System Requirements

**Web Browser**:

- Chrome 90+
- Firefox 88+
- Safari 14+
- Edge 90+

**Desktop App**:

- Windows 10/11
- macOS 11+
- Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+, Fedora 34+)

**Mobile App**:

- iOS 14+
- Android 8.0+

---

## Creating Your Account

### Sign Up

1. Visit your ɳChat instance URL (e.g., `https://chat.yourcompany.com`)
2. Click **"Sign Up"** or **"Create Account"**
3. Enter your information:
   - Email address
   - Password (8+ characters, including uppercase, lowercase, number, special character)
   - Display name
4. Verify your email (check your inbox)
5. Complete your profile (optional but recommended)

### Sign In

1. Go to your ɳChat URL
2. Enter your email and password
3. Click **"Sign In"**
4. _Optional_: Enable "Remember me" for quick access

### Profile Setup

After signing in, complete your profile:

1. Click your avatar in the top-right corner
2. Select **"Profile Settings"**
3. Add:
   - Profile photo
   - Display name
   - Bio/status
   - Time zone
4. Click **"Save Changes"**

---

## Channels

### What are Channels?

Channels are organized spaces for team communication. Think of them as chat rooms focused on specific topics, projects, or teams.

### Channel Types

- **Public Channels** (#general, #random): Anyone can join and see messages
- **Private Channels** (🔒 secret-project): Invite-only, hidden from non-members
- **Direct Messages** (DMs): One-on-one conversations
- **Group DMs**: Private conversations with multiple people

### Creating a Channel

1. Click the **"+"** button next to "Channels" in the sidebar
2. Choose channel type (public or private)
3. Enter channel details:
   - Name (e.g., "general", "engineering", "marketing")
   - Description
4. Add members (for private channels)
5. Click **"Create Channel"**

**Channel Naming Tips**:

- Use lowercase
- Use hyphens for spaces (e.g., "project-alpha")
- Keep names short and descriptive
- Use prefixes for organization (e.g., "team-", "proj-")

### Joining a Channel

**Public Channels**:

1. Click **"Browse Channels"** in the sidebar
2. Find the channel you want
3. Click **"Join"**

**Private Channels**:

- You must be invited by a channel member or admin

### Channel Settings

Channel admins can:

- Edit channel name and description
- Manage members (add/remove)
- Set channel permissions
- Archive or delete the channel

**To access channel settings**:

1. Open the channel
2. Click the channel name at the top
3. Select **"Channel Settings"**

---

## Messaging

### Sending Messages

1. Select a channel or DM
2. Type your message in the input box at the bottom
3. Press **Enter** to send (or **Shift+Enter** for new line)

### Rich Text Formatting

Use markdown-style formatting:

````
**Bold text**       → Bold text
*Italic text*       → Italic text
~~Strikethrough~~   → Strikethrough
`Code`              → Inline code
```Block code```   → Code block
> Quote             → Blockquote
- List item         → Bullet list
1. Numbered item    → Numbered list
````

### Mentions

**Mention a user**:

```
@username
```

The user will receive a notification.

**Mention everyone in a channel**:

```
@channel
```

Use sparingly! This notifies all channel members.

**Mention here (online users only)**:

```
@here
```

Notifies only users currently online.

### Editing & Deleting Messages

**Edit a message**:

1. Hover over your message
2. Click the **⋯** (more) button
3. Select **"Edit"**
4. Make changes and press Enter

**Delete a message**:

1. Hover over your message
2. Click the **⋯** (more) button
3. Select **"Delete"**
4. Confirm deletion

_Note: Edited messages show an "edited" indicator_

### Scheduling Messages

Send messages at a specific time:

1. Type your message
2. Click the **⏰ Schedule** button
3. Choose date and time
4. Click **"Schedule Message"**

**View scheduled messages**:

- Click your profile → **"Scheduled Messages"**

### Forwarding Messages

Forward messages to other channels:

1. Hover over the message
2. Click **⋯** → **"Forward"**
3. Select destination channel(s)
4. Add optional comment
5. Click **"Forward"**

---

## Voice & Video Calls

### Starting a Call

**Voice Call**:

1. Open a DM or channel
2. Click the **📞 Call** button
3. Wait for others to join

**Video Call**:

1. Open a DM or channel
2. Click the **📹 Video** button
3. Allow camera/microphone permissions
4. Wait for others to join

### Call Controls

While on a call:

- **🎤 Mute/Unmute**: Toggle your microphone
- **📹 Video On/Off**: Toggle your camera
- **🖥️ Share Screen**: Share your screen with participants
- **⚙️ Settings**: Adjust audio/video settings
- **📞 End Call**: Leave the call

### Screen Sharing

1. Click **🖥️ Share Screen** during a call
2. Choose what to share:
   - Entire screen
   - Application window
   - Browser tab
3. Click **"Share"**

### Call Quality Tips

For best call quality:

- Use a wired internet connection (Ethernet)
- Close unnecessary applications
- Use headphones to prevent echo
- Ensure good lighting for video calls
- Test your audio/video in **Settings → Audio & Video**

---

## File Sharing

### Uploading Files

**Drag & Drop**:

1. Drag files into the message input
2. Files will be uploaded automatically

**Click to Upload**:

1. Click the **📎** (attach) button
2. Select files from your computer
3. Files will be uploaded

**Supported File Types**:

- Images: JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP, SVG
- Videos: MP4, WebM, MOV
- Audio: MP3, WAV, OGG
- Documents: PDF, DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, TXT, CSV
- Max file size: 100MB

### File Previews

ɳChat automatically generates previews for:

- **Images**: Inline display with zoom
- **Videos**: Inline player
- **PDFs**: Document viewer
- **Code files**: Syntax-highlighted preview

### Downloading Files

1. Click the file in a message
2. Click the **⬇️ Download** button
3. File saves to your Downloads folder

---

## Reactions & Threads

### Adding Reactions

React to messages with emojis:

1. Hover over a message
2. Click the **😀** emoji icon
3. Select an emoji from the picker
4. Or type `:emoji_name:` and press Enter

**Popular shortcuts**:

- 👍 `:thumbsup:`
- ❤️ `:heart:`
- 😂 `:laughing:`
- 🎉 `:tada:`
- ✅ `:white_check_mark:`

### Message Threads

Keep conversations organized with threads:

**Start a thread**:

1. Hover over a message
2. Click **💬 Reply in thread**
3. Type your reply

**View threads**:

- Click **"Threads"** in the sidebar to see all your threads

**Thread notifications**:

- Get notified when someone replies to a thread you're in

---

## Search & Discovery

### Searching Messages

**Quick search**:

1. Press **Cmd/Ctrl + K**
2. Type your search query
3. Press Enter

**Advanced search**:

- Use the search bar at the top
- Apply filters:
  - `from:@username` - Messages from a specific user
  - `in:#channel` - Messages in a specific channel
  - `has:file` - Messages with attachments
  - `has:link` - Messages with links
  - `before:2026-01-01` - Messages before a date
  - `after:2026-01-01` - Messages after a date

**Examples**:

```
project alpha from:@john
meeting notes in:#general has:file
budget in:#finance after:2026-01-01
```

### Finding Channels

1. Click **"Browse Channels"** in the sidebar
2. Use the search bar to filter
3. Click a channel to view details
4. Click **"Join"** to join

### Finding People

1. Press **Cmd/Ctrl + K**
2. Start typing a name
3. Click the person to open a DM

---

## Notifications

### Notification Settings

**Global settings**:

1. Click your profile → **"Settings"**
2. Go to **"Notifications"**
3. Configure:
   - Desktop notifications
   - Email notifications
   - Push notifications (mobile)
   - Notification sounds

**Per-channel settings**:

1. Open the channel
2. Click the channel name
3. Select **"Notification Preferences"**
4. Choose:
   - **All messages**: Get notified for every message
   - **Mentions only**: Only @mentions and keywords
   - **Nothing**: Mute the channel

### Do Not Disturb

Pause notifications temporarily:

1. Click your profile
2. Select **"Set status"**
3. Choose **"Do Not Disturb"**
4. Set duration (30 min, 1 hour, custom)

### Notification Keywords

Get notified when specific words are mentioned:

1. Go to **Settings → Notifications**
2. Add **"Notification Keywords"**
3. Enter words (e.g., "urgent", "help", your name)
4. Save changes

---

## Settings & Preferences

### Profile Settings

- **Display name**: How others see you
- **Avatar**: Your profile picture
- **Status**: Custom status message
- **Bio**: About yourself

### Appearance

- **Theme**: Light, Dark, or System
- **Message density**: Comfortable or Compact
- **Font size**: Small, Medium, or Large
- **Sidebar**: Collapsed or Expanded by default

### Privacy

- **Online status**: Show/hide when you're online
- **Read receipts**: Show/hide when you've read messages
- **Typing indicators**: Show/hide when you're typing
- **Profile visibility**: Public or Team-only

### Accessibility

- **High contrast mode**: Better visibility
- **Screen reader support**: Enhanced for screen readers
- **Keyboard navigation**: Full keyboard control
- **Reduce motion**: Disable animations

---

## Keyboard Shortcuts

### Essential Shortcuts

| Action           | Windows/Linux | Mac     |
| ---------------- | ------------- | ------- |
| Quick switcher   | Ctrl + K      | Cmd + K |
| Search           | Ctrl + F      | Cmd + F |
| New message      | Ctrl + N      | Cmd + N |
| Mark as read     | Esc           | Esc     |
| Previous channel | Alt + ↑       | Opt + ↑ |
| Next channel     | Alt + ↓       | Opt + ↓ |

### Messaging Shortcuts

| Action            | Windows/Linux      | Mac                |
| ----------------- | ------------------ | ------------------ |
| Send message      | Enter              | Enter              |
| New line          | Shift + Enter      | Shift + Enter      |
| Edit last message | ↑ (in empty input) | ↑ (in empty input) |
| Add reaction      | Ctrl + Shift + \   | Cmd + Shift + \    |
| Reply in thread   | Ctrl + Shift + T   | Cmd + Shift + T    |

### Formatting Shortcuts

| Action        | Windows/Linux    | Mac             |
| ------------- | ---------------- | --------------- |
| Bold          | Ctrl + B         | Cmd + B         |
| Italic        | Ctrl + I         | Cmd + I         |
| Strikethrough | Ctrl + Shift + X | Cmd + Shift + X |
| Code          | Ctrl + E         | Cmd + E         |
| Link          | Ctrl + Shift + U | Cmd + Shift + U |

### Call Shortcuts

| Action       | Shortcut             |
| ------------ | -------------------- |
| Mute/Unmute  | Ctrl/Cmd + D         |
| Video On/Off | Ctrl/Cmd + E         |
| Share Screen | Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + E |
| End Call     | Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + H |

---

## Mobile Apps

### Installing the Mobile App

**iOS**:

1. Open the App Store
2. Search for "ɳChat" or your company's custom app
3. Tap **"Get"** → **"Install"**
4. Open the app and sign in

**Android**:

1. Open the Google Play Store
2. Search for "ɳChat" or your company's custom app
3. Tap **"Install"**
4. Open the app and sign in

### Mobile Features

- **Push notifications**: Get notified instantly
- **Biometric authentication**: Use Face ID/Touch ID/Fingerprint
- **Share from other apps**: Share files, photos, links to ɳChat
- **Camera**: Take photos/videos directly in the app
- **Voice messages**: Record and send voice messages
- **Offline mode**: Read messages without internet

### Mobile Tips

- **Swipe gestures**: Swipe right on a message to reply
- **Long press**: Long press a message for quick actions
- **Pull to refresh**: Pull down to refresh messages
- **Search**: Use the search icon to find anything

---

## Tips & Tricks

### Productivity Tips

1. **Use channels strategically**: Create focused channels for projects
2. **Set status**: Let teammates know when you're busy
3. **Star important channels**: Keep them at the top of your sidebar
4. **Use threads**: Keep side conversations organized
5. **Mute noisy channels**: Stay focused on what matters
6. **Schedule messages**: Send at the right time, even when offline
7. **Use keyboard shortcuts**: Navigate faster

### Collaboration Tips

1. **@mention sparingly**: Don't overuse @channel or @here
2. **Use reactions**: Quick way to acknowledge messages
3. **Keep messages concise**: Short messages are easier to read
4. **Use code blocks**: For sharing code or logs
5. **Share files with context**: Add a message explaining the file
6. **Create polls**: Get quick team feedback
7. **Use video calls**: For complex discussions

### Organization Tips

1. **Name channels clearly**: Use consistent naming conventions
2. **Pin important messages**: Keep key information accessible
3. **Archive old channels**: Keep your sidebar clean
4. **Use channel descriptions**: Help new members understand the purpose
5. **Create welcome channels**: Onboard new team members
6. **Document decisions**: Keep a #decisions channel

---

## Troubleshooting

### Connection Issues

**Problem**: Can't connect to ɳChat

**Solutions**:

1. Check your internet connection
2. Try refreshing the page (Ctrl/Cmd + R)
3. Clear browser cache and cookies
4. Try a different browser
5. Check if your firewall is blocking ɳChat

### Notification Issues

**Problem**: Not receiving notifications

**Solutions**:

1. Check notification settings in ɳChat
2. Check browser notification permissions
3. Check OS notification settings
4. Disable Do Not Disturb mode
5. Try logging out and back in

### Call Quality Issues

**Problem**: Poor audio/video quality

**Solutions**:

1. Check your internet speed (need 1+ Mbps)
2. Close other bandwidth-heavy applications
3. Switch from Wi-Fi to Ethernet
4. Reduce number of participants
5. Turn off video to save bandwidth

### File Upload Issues

**Problem**: Can't upload files

**Solutions**:

1. Check file size (max 100MB)
2. Check file type (see supported types)
3. Try a different browser
4. Clear browser cache
5. Check your internet connection

### Mobile App Issues

**Problem**: App crashes or freezes

**Solutions**:

1. Force quit and reopen the app
2. Update to the latest version
3. Clear app cache (in app settings)
4. Restart your device
5. Reinstall the app

---

## Getting Help

### Support Resources

- **Help Center**: https://help.nchat.example.com
- **Video Tutorials**: https://nchat.example.com/tutorials
- **Community Forum**: https://community.nchat.example.com
- **Email Support**: support@nchat.example.com

### Feedback

We love hearing from you!

- **Feature Requests**: https://feedback.nchat.example.com
- **Bug Reports**: support@nchat.example.com
- **General Feedback**: feedback@nchat.example.com

---

## Welcome to ɳChat! 🎉

You're all set to start collaborating with your team. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to support.

**Happy chatting!**

---

**Last Updated**: January 29, 2026
**Version**: 1.0.0