# Private conversations

You can have private 1-on-1 conversations with your teammates alongside the team channels.

## Start a private conversation

### Start a private conversation with a channel member

You can start a private conversation with a teammate from the member list. Click the username and then select "Start private conversation".

A bilateral conversation will open, which is initially empty. You will see the name of the person you are chatting with at the top of the conversation section. The first time you send a message, the user will be notified of a private conversation.

![Start a private conversation through the channel member list](/files/-LNoSyTIbibonJzne4JU)

### Find a user with the search function

If you are not on the same team channel with the user you want to chat with, you can find him/her using the search function and start a private conversation.

1. Click the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner.
2. Type the username of the person you want to chat with.
3. Click the name.
4. Private conversation starts.

![Find a user with the search function](/files/-LP0oKicSGjAxlGZh_8w)

## Conversations

You can communicate in a bilateral conversation just as you would do on a team channel. You cannot moderate private conversations e.g. hide messages.

You can send pictures and files to each other if your user account has the required amount of space quota.

## Leave a private conversation

You can leave a private conversation by clicking the person's name at the top of conversation section or the arrow icon next to the person's name in the conversation list, and selecting "Hide conversation".


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://support.ninchat.com/ninchat-support/english/team-channels/private-conversations.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.