> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.dingtalk.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Start a Direct Message

> Start a direct message with a contact on desktop, search within the conversation, manage notifications and pinning, and start a video conference directly from the chat.

Use a Direct Message for a private one-on-one conversation. Direct messages are useful for quick questions, focused follow-ups, and work topics that do not need a group chat.

## Start a direct message

1. Click the search bar at the top of DingTalk desktop app.

2. Enter the person's name.

3. Select the person from the search results.

4. Type your message in the input box.

5. Press **Enter** or click **Send**.

After you open the conversation, it appears in your Chats list so you can return to it later.

![](https://alidocs.oss-cn-zhangjiakou.aliyuncs.com/res/YdgOk2bjJ991Kq4B/img/959a6b10-057a-4094-9016-ce5e02e0afcc.png)

## Search within a direct message

Use in-chat search when you need to find something you discussed earlier with that person.

1. Open the direct message.

2. Click the search icon in the upper-right corner.

3. Keep **Chat Records** selected.

4. Enter a keyword.

5. Use **Filter** to narrow the results if needed.

Search results open in context, so you can return to the relevant part of the conversation.

![](https://alidocs.oss-cn-zhangjiakou.aliyuncs.com/res/YdgOk2bjJ991Kq4B/img/f81ed994-f5b1-4011-a94d-ff0527182ed1.png)

## Manage a direct message

You can manage a direct message from the conversation settings or from the conversation list.

| Task                                   | Path                                                           |
| -------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Mute notifications                     | Open the conversation > gear icon > **Mute Notifications**     |
| Keep the conversation at the top       | Open the conversation > gear icon > **Stick to Top**           |
| Mute from the conversation list        | Right-click the conversation > **Message Do Not Disturb**      |
| Keep at top from the conversation list | Right-click the conversation > **Set-top session**             |
| Mark as unread                         | Right-click the conversation > **Mark as unread**              |
| Hide from the list                     | Right-click the conversation > **Do not display this session** |
| Clear local history                    | Right-click the conversation > **Empty chat history**          |

## Start a meeting from a direct message

Open the direct message and click the video meeting icon in the upper-right corner.

The meeting starts from the current conversation, so you can move from chat to live discussion without switching context.