​
Overview

The Messages is a Composite Component that manages messages for users and groups.
The Messages component is composed of three individual components, MessageHeader, MessageList, and MessageComposer. In addition, the Messages component also navigates to the Details and ThreadedMessages components.
ComponentsDescription
MessageHeaderCometChatMessageHeader displays the User or Group information using CometChat SDK’s User or Group object. It also shows the typing indicator when the user starts typing in MessageComposer.
MessageListCometChatMessageList is one of the core UI components. It displays a list of messages and handles real-time operations.
MessageComposerCometChatMessageComposer is an independent and critical component that allows users to compose and send various types of messages includes text, image, video and custom messages.
DetailsCometChatDetails is a component that displays all the available options available for Users & Groups
ThreadedMessagesCometChatThreadedMessages is a component that displays all replies made to a particular message in a conversation.

​
Usage

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Integration

The following code snippet illustrates how you can directly incorporate the Messages component. 
import React from "react";
import { CometChat } from "@cometchat/chat-sdk-javascript";
import { CometChatMessages } from "@cometchat/chat-uikit-react";

function MessagesDemo() {

    const [chatUser, setChatUser] = React.useState<CometChat.User>();
    React.useEffect(() => {
        CometChat.getUser("uid").then((user) => {
            setChatUser(user);
        })
    }, [])

  return (
    <>
      {chatUser &&
        <CometChatMessages
            user={chatUser}
        />
      }
    </>
  );
}

export default MessagesDemo;

​
Actions

Actions dictate how a component functions. They are divided into two types: Predefined and User-defined. You can override either type, allowing you to tailor the behavior of the component to fit your specific needs. The Messages component does not have its actions. However, since it’s a Composite Component, you can use the actions of its components by utilizing the Configurations object of each component. Example In this example, we are employing the onThreadRepliesClick action from the MessageList Component through the MessageListConfiguration object.
MessagesDemo.tsx
import React, { useEffect, useState } from "react";
import { CometChat } from "@cometchat/chat-sdk-javascript";
import {
  CometChatMessages,
  MessageListConfiguration,
} from "@cometchat/chat-uikit-react";

function MessagesDemo() {
  const [chatUser, setChatUser] = useState<CometChat.User | null>(null);

  useEffect(() => {
    CometChat.getUser("uid").then((user) => {
      setChatUser(user);
    });
  }, []);

  const getOnThreadRepliesClick = () => {
    // your custom actions
  };

  return (
    <>
      {chatUser && (
        <CometChatMessages
          user={chatUser}
          messageListConfiguration={
            new MessageListConfiguration({
              onThreadRepliesClick: { getOnThreadRepliesClick },
            })
          }
        />
      )}
    </>
  );
}

export default MessagesDemo;
On thread replies click:
Thread Screen:
The Messages Component overrides the onThreadRepliesClick action to navigate to the ThreadedMessages component. If you override onThreadRepliesClick, it will also override the default behavior of the Messages Component.

​
Filters

Filters allow you to customize the data displayed in a list within a Component. You can filter the list based on your specific criteria, allowing for a more customized. Filters can be applied using RequestBuilders of Chat SDK. The Messages component does not have its filters. But as it is a Composite Component, you can use the filters of its components by using the Configurations object of each component. For more details on the filters of its components, please refer to MessageList Filters. Example In this example, we’re applying the MessageList Component filter to the Messages Component using MessageListConfiguration.
MessagesDemo.tsx
import React from "react";
import { CometChat } from "@cometchat/chat-sdk-javascript";
import {
  CometChatMessages,
  MessageListConfiguration,
} from "@cometchat/chat-uikit-react";

function MessagesDemo() {
  const [chatUser, setChatUser] = React.useState<CometChat.User>();
  React.useEffect(() => {
    CometChat.getUser("uid").then((user) => {
      setChatUser(user);
    });
  }, []);

  return (
    <>
      {chatUser && (
        <CometChatMessages
          user={chatUser}
          messageListConfiguration={
            new MessageListConfiguration({
              messagesRequestBuilder: new CometChat.MessagesRequestBuilder()
                .setSearchKeyword("Your Search Keyword")
                .setLimit(10),
            })
          }
        />
      )}
    </>
  );
}

export default MessagesDemo;

​
Events

Events are emitted by a Component. By using event you can extend existing functionality. Being global events, they can be applied in Multiple Locations and are capable of being Added or Removed. The Messages component does not produce any events directly.

​
Customization

To fit your app’s design requirements, you can customize the appearance of the Messages component. We provide exposed methods that allow you to modify the experience and behavior according to your specific needs.

​
Style

Using Style you can customize the look and feel of the component in your app, These parameters typically control elements such as the color, size, shape, and fonts used within the component.
1. Messages Style
You can customize the appearance of the Messages Component by applying the MessagesStyle to it using the following code snippet.
MessagesDemo.tsx
import React, { useEffect, useState } from "react";
import { CometChat } from "@cometchat/chat-sdk-javascript";
import { CometChatMessages, MessagesStyle } from "@cometchat/chat-uikit-react";

function MessagesDemo() {
  const [chatUser, setChatUser] = useState<CometChat.User | null>(null);

  useEffect(() => {
    CometChat.getUser("uid").then((user) => {
      setChatUser(user);
    });
  }, []);

  const messagesStyle = new MessagesStyle({
    background: "transparent",
    border: "1px solid black",
    borderRadius: "20px",
    height: "100vh",
  });

  return (
    <>
      {chatUser && (
        <CometChatMessages user={chatUser} messagesStyle={messagesStyle} />
      )}
    </>
  );
}

export default MessagesDemo;
List of properties exposed by MessagesStyle
PropertyDescriptionCode
backgroundSets all background style properties at once, such as color, image, origin and size, or repeat method.background:"sting",
borderSets the border of the componentborder:"string"
borderRadiusSets the border radius of the componentborderRadius:"string"
heightSets the height of the componentheight:"string"
widthSets the width of the componentwidth:"string"
2. Component’s Styles
Being a Composite component, the Messages Component allows you to customize the styles of its components using their respective Configuration objects. For a list of all available properties, refer to each component’s styling documentation: MesssageHeader Styles, MessageList Styles, MessageComposer Styles, Details Styles, ThreadMessages Styles. Example In this example, we are creating MessageListStyle and MessageComposerStyle and then applying them to the Messages Component using MessageListConfiguration and MessageComposerConfiguration.
MessagesDemo.tsx
import React from "react";
import { CometChat } from "@cometchat/chat-sdk-javascript";
import {
  CometChatMessages,
  MessageComposerConfiguration,
  MessageComposerStyle,
  MessageListConfiguration,
  MessageListStyle,
} from "@cometchat/chat-uikit-react";

const messageListStyle = new MessageListStyle({
  background: "transparent",
  border: "1px solid black",
  borderRadius: "20px",
  height: "100%",
  width: "100%",
  loadingIconTint: "red",
  nameTextColor: "pink",
  threadReplyTextColor: "green",
});
const messageComposerStyle = new MessageComposerStyle({
  AIIconTint: "#ec03fc",
  attachIcontint: "#ec03fc",
  background: "#fffcff",
  border: "2px solid #b30fff",
  borderRadius: "20px",
  inputBackground: "#e2d5e8",
  textColor: "#ff299b",
  sendIconTint: "#ff0088",
});

function MessagesDemo() {
  const [chatUser, setChatUser] = React.useState<CometChat.User>();
  React.useEffect(() => {
    CometChat.getUser("uid").then((user) => {
      setChatUser(user);
    });
  }, []);
  return (
    <>
      {chatUser && (
        <CometChatMessages
          user={chatUser!}
          messageComposerConfiguration={
            new MessageComposerConfiguration({
              messageComposerStyle: messageComposerStyle,
            })
          }
          messageListConfiguration={
            new MessageListConfiguration({
              messageListStyle: messageListStyle,
            })
          }
        />
      )}
    </>
  );
}
export default MessagesDemo;

​
Functionality

These are a set of small functional customizations that allow you to fine-tune the overall experience of the component. With these, you can change text, set custom icons, and toggle the visibility of UI elements. 
<CometChatMessages user={chatUser!} hideDetails={true} disableTyping={true} />
Below is a list of customizations along with corresponding code snippets
PropertyDescriptionCode
User reportUsed to pass user object of which header specific details will be shownuser={chatUser!}
Group reportUsed to pass group object of which header specific details will be showngroup={chatGroup!}
Hide MessageComposerUsed to toggle visibility for CometChatMessageComposer, default falsehideMessageComposer={true}
Hide MessageHeaderUsed to toggle visibility for CometChatMessageHeader, default falsehideMessageHeader={true}
Disable TypingUsed to toggle functionality for showing typing indicator and also enable/disable sending message delivery/read receiptsdisableTyping={true}
Disable SoundForMessagesUsed to toggle sound for messagesdisableSoundForMessages={true}
CustomSoundForIncomingMessagesUsed to set custom sound asset’s path for incoming messagescustomSoundForIncomingMessages="your custom sound for incoming call"
CustomSoundForOutgoingMessagesUsed to set custom sound asset’s path for outgoing messagescustomSoundForOutgoingMessages="your custom sound for outgoing call"
Hide DetailsUsed to toggle visibility for details icon in CometChatMessageHeaderhideDetails={true}

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Advanced

For advanced-level customization, you can set custom views to the component. This lets you tailor each aspect of the component to fit your exact needs and application aesthetics. You can create and define your views, layouts, and UI elements and then incorporate those into the component.

​
MessageHeaderView

You can set your custom message header view using the messageHeaderView property. But keep in mind, by using this you will override the default message header functionality. 
  messageHeaderView={CustomHeader()}
Example Default
Custom 
  <CometChatMessages
  user={chatUser!}
  messageHeaderView={CustomHeader()}
  />

​
MessageListView

You can set your custom message list view using the messageListView property. But keep in mind, by using this you will override the default message ListView functionality. 
messageListView = { CustomListItem };
Example Default
Custom
MessagesDemo.tsx
import React from "react";
import { CometChat } from "@cometchat/chat-sdk-javascript";
import {
  CometChatMessageList,
  CometChatMessages,
  MessageListAlignment,
  MessageListStyle,
} from "@cometchat/chat-uikit-react";

function MessagesDemo() {
  const [chatUser, setChatUser] = React.useState<CometChat.User>();
  React.useEffect(() => {
    CometChat.getUser("UID").then((user) => {
      setChatUser(user);
    });
  }, []);

  const messageListStyle = new MessageListStyle({
    background: "#fdf2ff",
    border: "1px solid #d608ff",
    borderRadius: "20px",
    loadingIconTint: "red",
    nameTextColor: "pink",
    threadReplyTextColor: "green",
  });
  const CustomListItem = React.useMemo(
    () => (
      <div style={{ height: "500px" }}>
        <CometChatMessageList
          user={chatUser!}
          messageListStyle={messageListStyle}
          alignment={MessageListAlignment.left}
        />
      </div>
    ),
    []
  );

  return (
    <>
      {chatUser && (
        <CometChatMessages user={chatUser!} messageListView={CustomListItem} />
      )}
    </>
  );
}

export default MessagesDemo;

​
MessageComposerView

You can set your custom Message Composer view using the messageComposerView property. But keep in mind, by using this you will override the default message composer functionality. Example 
messageComposerView={CustomComposerView}
Default
Custom
MessagesDemo.tsx
import React from "react";
import { CometChat } from "@cometchat/chat-sdk-javascript";
import {
  CometChatMessageComposer,
  CometChatMessages,
  AuxiliaryButtonAlignment,
  MessageComposerStyle,
} from "@cometchat/chat-uikit-react";

function MessagesDemo() {
  const [chatUser, setChatUser] = React.useState<CometChat.User>();
  React.useEffect(() => {
    CometChat.getUser("UID").then((user) => {
      setChatUser(user);
    });
  }, []);

  const messageComposerStyle = new MessageComposerStyle({
    AIIconTint: "#ec03fc",
    attachIcontint: "#ec03fc",
    background: "#fffcff",
    border: "2px solid #b30fff",
    borderRadius: "20px",
    inputBackground: "#e2d5e8",
    textColor: "#ff299b",
    sendIconTint: "#ff0088",
  });
  const CustomComposerView = React.useMemo(
    () => (
      <div>
        <CometChatMessageComposer
          messageComposerStyle={messageComposerStyle}
          auxiliaryButtonAlignment={AuxiliaryButtonAlignment.left}
          text="Enter your text here"
        />
      </div>
    ),
    []
  );

  return (
    <>
      {chatUser && (
        <CometChatMessages
          user={chatUser!}
          messageComposerView={CustomComposerView}
        />
      )}
    </>
  );
}

export default MessagesDemo;

​
AuxiliaryMenu

You can set a custom header menu option by using the auxiliaryMenu property. 
auxiliaryMenu={CustomAuxilaryMenu()}
Example Default
Custom
MessagesDemo.tsx
import React from "react";
import { CometChat } from "@cometchat/chat-sdk-javascript";
import { CometChatMessages, IconStyle } from "@cometchat/chat-uikit-react";

function MessagesDemo() {
  const [chatUser, setChatUser] = React.useState<CometChat.User>();
  React.useEffect(() => {
    CometChat.getUser("UID").then((user) => {
      setChatUser(user);
    });
  }, []);

  const CustomAuxilaryMenu = () => {
    const iconStyle = new IconStyle({
      iconTint: "#d400ff",
    });
    return <cometchat-icon URL={Icon} iconStyle={JSON.stringify(iconStyle)} />;
  };
  return (
    <>
      {chatUser && (
        <CometChatMessages
          user={chatUser!}
          auxiliaryMenu={CustomAuxilaryMenu()}
        />
      )}
    </>
  );
}

export default MessagesDemo;

​
Configuration

Configurations offer the ability to customize the properties of each individual component within a Composite Component. The Messages Component is a Composite Component and it has a specific set of configuration for each of its components.

​
MessageHeader

If you want to customize the properties of the MessageHeader Component inside Messages Component, you need use the MessageHeaderConfiguration object. 
<CometChatMessages
  messageHeaderConfiguration={
    new MessageHeaderConfiguration({
      //properties of message header
    })
  }
/>
The MessageHeaderConfiguration provides access to all the Action, Filters, Styles, Functionality, and Advanced properties of the MessageHeader component.
Please note that the properties marked with the report symbol are not accessible within the Configuration Object.
Example
In this example, we will style the Avatar and MessageHeader of the MessageHeader component using MessageHeaderConfiguration.
MessagesDemo.tsx
import React from "react";
import {
  AvatarStyle,
  CometChatMessages,
  MessageHeaderConfiguration,
  MessageHeaderStyle,
} from "@cometchat/chat-uikit-react";

const avatarStyle = new AvatarStyle({
  backgroundColor: "#cdc2ff",
  border: "2px solid #6745ff",
  borderRadius: "10px",
  outerViewBorderColor: "#ca45ff",
  outerViewBorderRadius: "5px",
  nameTextColor: "#4554ff",
});
const messageHeaderStyle = new MessageHeaderStyle({
  background: "#f2f3ff",
  border: "2px solid #a117eb",
  borderRadius: "20px",
  subtitleTextColor: "#2d55a6",
});

function MessagesDemo() {
  return (
    <>
      {chatUser && (
        <CometChatMessages
          messageHeaderConfiguration={
            new MessageHeaderConfiguration({
              avatarStyle: avatarStyle,
              messageHeaderStyle: messageHeaderStyle,
            })
          }
        />
      )}
    </>
  );
}
export default MessagesDemo;

​
MessageList

If you want to customize the properties of the MessageList Component inside Messages Component, you need use the MessageListConfiguration object. 
<CometChatMessages
  messageListConfiguration={
    new MessageListConfiguration({
      //properties of messages list
    })
  }
/>
The MessageListConfiguration provides access to all the Action, Filters, Styles, Functionality, and Advanced properties of the MessageList component.
Please note that the properties marked with the report symbol are not accessible within the Configuration Object.
Example
In this example, we will be changing the list alignment and modifying the message list styles in the MessageList component using MessageListConfiguration.
MessagesDemo.tsx
import React, { useMemo } from "react";
import { CometChat } from "@cometchat/chat-sdk-javascript";
import { CometChatMessages MessageListAlignment, MessageListConfiguration, MessageListStyle } from "@cometchat/chat-uikit-react";

function MessagesDemo() {
    const [chatUser, setChatUser] = React.useState<CometChat.User>()
    React.useEffect(() => {
        CometChat.getUser("uid").then((user) => {
            setChatUser(user);
        })
    }, [])

const messageListStyle = new MessageListStyle({
        background:"#d8cae6",
        border:"2px solid #6107ba",
        borderRadius:"20px",
        loadingIconTint:"red",
        nameTextColor:"pink",
        threadReplyTextColor:"green"
      })
return (
<>
  {chatUser &&
  <CometChatMessages
    user={chatUser!}
    messageListConfiguration={new MessageListConfiguration({
      messageListStyle={messageListStyle},
      alignment:MessageListAlignment.left
    })}
  />
  }
</>
);
};
export default MessagesDemo;

​
MessageComposer

If you want to customize the properties of the MessageComposer Component inside Messages Component, you need use the MessageComposerConfiguration object. 
 <CometChatMessages
    messageComposerConfiguration={new MessageComposerConfiguration({
      // properties of message composer
    })}
 />
The MessageComposerConfiguration provides access to all the Action, Filters, Styles, Functionality, and Advanced properties of the MessageComposer component.
Please note that the properties marked with the report symbol are not accessible within the Configuration Object.
Example
In this example, we’ll be adding styling to the message composer and custom text to the MessageComposer component using MessageComposerConfiguration.
MessagesDemo.tsx

import React from "react";
import {CometChatMessages,MessageComposerConfiguration, MessageComposerStyle} from "@cometchat/chat-uikit-react";

const messageComposerStyle = new MessageComposerStyle({
  AIIconTint:"#ec03fc",
  attachIcontint:"#ec03fc",
  background:"#fffcff",
  border:"2px solid #b30fff",
  borderRadius:"20px",
  inputBackground:"#e2d5e8",
  textColor:"#ff299b",
  sendIconTint:"#ff0088",
})

function MessagesDemo() {
  return (
    messageComposerConfiguration={new MessageComposerConfiguration({
      text:"Type Your Custom Text Message",
      messageComposerStyle: messageComposerStyle,
    })}
  );
}
export default MessagesDemo;

​
ThreadedMessages

If you want to customize the properties of the ThreadedMessages Component inside Messages Component, you need use the ThreadedMessagesConfiguration object. 
 <CometChatMessages
    threadedMessagesConfiguration={new ThreadedMessagesConfiguration({
      //properties of the threaded messages
    })}
 />
The ThreadedMessagesConfiguration provides access to all the Action, Filters, Styles, Functionality, and Advanced properties of the ThreadedMessages component.
Please note that the properties marked with the report symbol are not accessible within the Configuration Object.
Example
In this example, we are adding a custom close icon to the Threaded Message component and also adding custom properties to the MessageList using MessageListConfiguration. We then apply these changes to the ThreadedMessages component using ThreadedMessagesConfiguration.
MessagesDemo.tsx

import React from "react";
import {CometChatMessages, MessageListAlignment, MessageListConfiguration, MessageListStyle, ThreadedMessagesConfiguration } from "@cometchat/chat-uikit-react";

function MessagesDemo() {
    const messageListStyle = new MessageListStyle({
        background:"#fdf2ff",
        border:"1px solid #d608ff",
        borderRadius:"20px",
        loadingIconTint:"red",
        nameTextColor:"pink",
        threadReplyTextColor:"green"
      })
return (
    <>
      {chatUser &&
        <CometChatMessages
            threadedMessagesConfiguration={new ThreadedMessagesConfiguration({
                //properties of the threaded messages
               closeIconURL:Icon,
               messageListConfiguration:new MessageListConfiguration({
                messageListStyle: messageListStyle,
                alignment:MessageListAlignment.left
               })
            })}
        />
      }
    </>
  );
}
export default MessagesDemo;