> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.witt-play.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# In-App Messaging: Game Threads and Direct Messages

> The Messages inbox brings together game discussion threads and direct messages in one place, with filters by role, time, and unread state.

Witt & Play's messaging system keeps all communication tied to the games you care about. Instead of a generic chat inbox, every conversation is anchored to a specific game session. You can discuss logistics with your fellow players, coordinate arrival times, and message the host — all without leaving the app.

## The unified messages inbox

Open **Messages** from the main navigation to reach the unified inbox. The inbox loads two types of game threads:

* **Host threads** — games you created. You can see messages from all approved participants.
* **Play threads** — games where you are an approved participant (but not the host).

### Filtering the inbox

Two sets of tabs at the top of the inbox let you narrow what you see:

**Role tabs:**

| Tab      | What it shows                                           |
| -------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Host** | Only threads for games you are hosting                  |
| **Play** | Only threads for games you have joined as a participant |
| **All**  | Both host and play threads                              |

**Time tabs:**

| Tab          | What it shows                                 |
| ------------ | --------------------------------------------- |
| **Upcoming** | Threads for games that haven't started yet    |
| **Past**     | Threads for games whose start time has passed |
| **All**      | All threads regardless of date                |

Both filters work together. For example, selecting **Play** + **Upcoming** shows only the discussion threads for games you've joined that haven't happened yet.

## Game discussion threads

Each game has a single discussion thread shared by the host and all approved participants. The thread is the right place for:

* Confirming attendance closer to game day
* Sharing equipment reminders
* Posting last-minute location changes

<Note>
  Only the host and **approved** participants can read and post in a game's discussion thread. Members with a pending or waitlisted status do not have access.
</Note>

## Direct messages

Direct messages (DMs) between members are also surfaced in the unified inbox. When you send a join request with an optional message, that message is delivered to the host as an in-app direct message. The host can reply, and the conversation continues as a DM thread separate from the game's group discussion.

## Unread badges

Game cards on the Browse feed and in My Games display an unread badge — a small pill in the top-right corner of the card showing a message bubble icon and a count ("3 new"). The badge appears when there are comments or messages in a game thread that you haven't seen yet. Opening the game detail page marks those comments as read and clears the badge.

## Push notifications for new messages

Witt & Play uses the browser Web Push API to deliver notifications for new messages and game updates. The platform requests notification permission the first time you open a game detail page in a new browser session.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Grant notification permission">
    When your browser prompts you, click **Allow** to enable push notifications. If you dismissed the prompt, you can re-enable notifications through your browser's site settings for `wittandplay.com`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Receive message notifications">
    When a new message is posted in a game thread you are part of, you receive a push notification even if the app is not open. Tapping the notification opens the relevant game page.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Push notifications work across browsers that support the Web Push API, including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari (macOS 13+). On iOS, you must add Witt & Play to your Home Screen as a PWA to receive push notifications.
</Tip>