---
title: 'Direct Messages for Private Team and Student Chats | Cosmos Video'
description: 'One-to-one private messaging in Cosmos Video with online presence visibility, message formatting, and file sharing for remote teams and classrooms.'
url: '/product/features/direct-messages.md'
lastModified: '2026-04-21'
contentType: 'Feature Page'
keywords: ['direct-messages', 'private-chat', 'team-messaging', 'student-dm', 'one-to-one-messaging', 'online-presence', 'file-sharing']
target_audience: 'remote teams, online teachers, mentors, student cohorts, community moderators'
---

# Direct Messages in Cosmos Video

Cosmos Video direct messages are private one-to-one conversations between two members of a workspace. Unlike standalone chat apps, direct messages sit next to real-time presence, so a user can see whether the other person is Available, Listening, Focusing, or Away before sending a message or starting a call. Direct messages support message formatting and file sharing with inline previews.

## What Are Direct Messages Used For?

Teams use direct messages for quick one-to-one questions, sensitive feedback, or coordination that does not belong in a public channel. Online classes use them for student-to-teacher check-ins, mentor pairings, and private Q&A. Community spaces use them for organizer-to-member follow-ups.

Because direct messages surface online presence, the sender can decide whether to send a message, drop a voice note, or walk over to the recipient's room in the Cosmos Video spatial workspace. The message stays with history so later context is never lost.

## How Do Direct Messages Work with Spatial Presence?

Each member has a live availability state that is visible inside the direct message view. Someone in Focus mode signals that a non-urgent message can wait, while Available indicates an open moment for a real-time follow-up. This removes the guesswork standalone chat tools create, where a status emoji may be stale.

Direct messages can escalate into a live conversation inside a Cosmos Video room without scheduling. The same thread used for a quick text question can become a face-to-face discussion in one click.

## Direct Messages vs Standalone Chat

| Capability | Cosmos Video DMs | Slack DMs | SMS / WhatsApp |
|------------|------------------|-----------|----------------|
| Presence-aware (Available, Focus, Away, Listening) | Yes | Partial, manual status | No |
| One-click escalation to live video room | Yes | No, external tool needed | No |
| File sharing with previews | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Message formatting (bold, lists, code) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tied to a shared spatial workspace | Yes | No | No |

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Who can send me a direct message in Cosmos Video?

By default, any member of the same workspace can send a direct message. Admins can adjust access for guest accounts or specific groups depending on the plan, which keeps student or external-guest messaging controlled inside education and client-facing spaces.

### Can I see if the other person is online before messaging?

Yes. Every direct message view shows the recipient's current availability status (Available, Listening, Focusing, Away), so senders know whether to expect a quick reply or a delayed one, and can choose between typing and walking over in the spatial workspace.

### Do direct messages support files and formatting?

Yes. Cosmos Video direct messages support formatted text (bold, italics, lists, code) for clear communication and file sharing with inline previews. File upload limits vary by plan, with details listed on the pricing page.

### Can I turn a direct message into a video call?

Yes. Because direct messages live inside the same space as rooms and presence, members can move a written exchange into a live voice or video conversation in one click, without sending a meeting link.

### Are direct messages private from admins?

Direct message content is treated as private between participants. Admin controls focus on workspace configuration, billing, and compliance-level access rather than routine conversation inspection. Organizations with legal hold needs should review plan-specific admin capabilities.