---
title: "Messages — React Box documentation"
description: "The three message types, attachments, edit and delete actions, and searching a conversation's history."
url: https://www.react-box.com/en/docs/chat/messages
lang: en
---

MessagingMessages

# Messages

A message is the unit of exchange in a conversation. This page details the message types, attachments, editing, deletion, and searching through history.

Updated on September 11, 2026

## Three message types

Every message carries a type that determines how it's rendered and how it fits into the flow.

* Text  
The common case — a free-form text message, optionally with attachments. Editable and deletable by its author.
* Document request  
A structured message asking your counterpart to file a specific document in the vault. See the "Document requests" page.
* System  
Messages generated by React Box (conversation creation, participant added…). Not editable, not deletable.

## Attachments

A text message can carry several attachments. Two kinds coexist.

* Raw file  
You drag a file from your computer — it's uploaded directly to Cloudflare R2 via a pre-signed URL, exactly like in the vault.
* Vault reference  
You can also point to an existing vault document: the reference is shared, the file is not duplicated.

Constraints

* Maximum size per file: 20 MB.
* Same formats accepted as the vault: PDF, images, Office, plain text, CSV.
* Every attachment is logged in the conversation and stays consultable even if the message is deleted.

## Editing and deletion

You can edit or delete your own messages. Editing keeps history: a revision is recorded with the previous content, and the UI marks "(edited)" next to the message. Deletion is soft: the message visually disappears but remains consultable in audit for administrators.

Administrators with the message:moderate permission can edit or delete other users' messages when moderation is required.

## Replies and threads

You can reply to a specific message to create a mini-thread. The reply is visually linked to the parent message, which makes it easier to follow when several topics overlap in the same conversation.

## Search and history navigation

Every conversation is readable from the very first message. Two tools help you find an older exchange.

* Full-text search  
Type your query (at least two characters) into a conversation's search bar. Results surface messages containing those terms, newest to oldest.
* Context view  
Clicking a search result drops you into the conversation at the height of the message — with about twenty messages before and after to rebuild the context.

## Associated permissions

Three permissions govern message usage.

* message:send — send messages (text or document request) and attach files.
* message:history:view — query full-text search and the context view.
* message:moderate — edit or delete other users' messages.