Area: Chat (Matrix)
Path: /
Icon: Chat icon in the sidebar
Overview
The Chat area is the Matrix-based messaging space of Sparks. Here you manage chat rooms, conduct conversations, and use Spaces for hierarchical organization.
Layout
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Chat list (left) | All Matrix rooms, sorted by activity; unread badges |
| Tab bar | With room open: conversation + optional Polls, Whiteboard, Custom Tabs |
| Main area | Message history; room name and settings at top |
| Message input (bottom) | Text field, attachments, emojis |
Main Features
Sending and Managing Messages
- Click a room in the list
- Type your message
- Enter to send, Shift+Enter for new line
- Attachments via paperclip or drag & drop
Voice messages & transcription
SPARKS supports voice messages in Matrix chats — record, play back, and optionally speech-to-text (STT).
Record and send
- Microphone icon in the message input → Record voice message dialog
- Start/stop recording, preview, send or discard
- Optional: Send with transcript — recognized text is sent together with the audio file
Live preview: Supported browsers show live recognized text while recording. In the desktop and mobile app (Tauri), on-device recognition may also be used (iOS/Android).
Received messages: Under the audio player, tap Transcribe — text appears below the message and is cached locally (no repeat cloud call when reopening).
Privacy: Cloud STT sends audio via the Vista server to OVH AI Endpoints (Whisper, EU); the app shows cost and processing notices. In E2EE rooms, audio is decrypted on your device first. Your organization may restrict or disable cloud STT — device-only options may remain.
Technical reference (Vistameet-Teams): KONZEPT_CHAT_SPRACHNACHRICHT_STT.md, KONZEPT_CHAT_SPRACHNACHRICHT_STT_TAURI_NATIVE.md.
Message Actions (Context Menu)
- Reply: Quotes the original message
- Edit: Your own messages only; edits are marked
- Delete: Your own messages only
- Forward: Send text to one or more other Matrix rooms (multi-select)
- Pin: Pin important messages at top
- Reactions: Add emoji (hover or click)
Encryption
- Matrix rooms support end-to-end encryption
- Verification via Settings → Security
- Encrypted rooms show a lock icon
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+K / Cmd+K | Advanced Search / command palette |
| Ctrl+Shift+M / Cmd+Shift+M | Focus message input |
| Enter | Send message |
| Shift+Enter | New line |
Tabs per Room
Each chat room can have tabs – additional panels next to the conversation:
- Polls – surveys
- Whiteboard – Excalidraw
- Custom Tabs – external URLs
See Add Tab.
Typical Workflows
- Create room: "+" in chat list → Create Room
- Manage members (group chat): Open room → ⋯ (top right) → Manage members → Room Settings (Members tab)
- Invite people (quick action): ⋯ → Add people or room info → Add People (Matrix + MS Entra, optionally via email/Teams)
- Configure room: ⋯ → Room settings or click room name → Room Settings
- Forward a message: Context menu → Forward
- Organize rooms: Use Spaces, drag & drop rooms
Notifications
New messages in non-active rooms or @mentions trigger desktop banners (Teams-style toast / overlay), depending on Settings → Notifications. Reactions on your messages and replies in followed threads have their own categories. Muted rooms send no banners.