> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wiki.helpch.at/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wiki.helpch.at/helpchat-plugins/chatchat/private-messaging.md).

# Private messaging

Private message commands, settings, formats, social spy, and proxy-wide messaging.

ChatChat includes private messages, replies, player message toggles, and social spy.

## Commands

| Command                       | Aliases                                  | Permission           | Description                                            |
| ----------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| `/whisper <player> <message>` | `/tell`, `/w`, `/msg`, `/message`, `/pm` | `chatchat.pm`        | Send a private message.                                |
| `/reply <message>`            | `/r`                                     | `chatchat.pm`        | Reply to the most recent private conversation.         |
| `/togglemsg`                  | `/toggledms`, `/togglepms`               | `chatchat.pm.toggle` | Toggle whether you can receive private messages.       |
| `/socialspy [on\|off]`        | `/sspy`, `/pmspy`, `/spy`                | `chatchat.socialspy` | Toggle visibility of private messages sent by players. |

When `private-messages.enabled` is `false`, ChatChat does not register these commands. Players can ignore a sender with `/ignore`; see [Commands](/helpchat-plugins/chatchat/commands.md).

## Settings and formats

The private-message settings are in `settings.yml`:

| Setting                                      | Default       | Purpose                                                                                                                                 |
| -------------------------------------------- | ------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `private-messages.enabled`                   | `true`        | Enables private messaging commands and processing.                                                                                      |
| `private-messages.cross-server`              | `false`       | Allows messages and replies to players connected to another backend on the same proxy.                                                  |
| `private-messages.formats.sender-format`     | Built in      | Format shown to the sender.                                                                                                             |
| `private-messages.formats.recipient-format`  | Built in      | Format shown to the recipient.                                                                                                          |
| `private-messages.formats.social-spy-format` | Built in      | Format shown to social-spy users.                                                                                                       |
| `last-messaged-cache-duration`               | `300` seconds | How long `/reply` and `%chatchat_private_messages_recipient%` retain the last conversation target. Set below `0` to disable expiration. |

These formats support MiniMessage, PlaceholderAPI, `<message>`, and recipient-aware tags. For example, `<recipient:player_name>` shows the other player in a private-message format.

## Cross-server private messages

Enable `private-messages.cross-server: true` in `settings.yml` on each backend server that should participate. ChatChat forwards private messages through the supported BungeeCord/Velocity proxy messaging connection. `/reply` can reply to a conversation with a player on another backend.

Private messages are separate from cross-server public channels. To forward public chat, configure `cross-server: true` on a global channel as described in [Channels](/helpchat-plugins/chatchat/channels.md).


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