meshtastic
[Feature Request]: Separation of conversations between channels and direct messages
Checklist
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[x] I have used the search function for OPEN ISSUES to see if someone else has already submitted the same feature request.
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[x] I have also used the search function for CLOSED ISSUES to see if the feature was already implemented and is just waiting to be released, or if the feature was rejected.
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[x] I will describe the request with as much detail as possible.
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[x] This request contains only one single feature, not a list of multiple (related) features.
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[x] I have read and understood the Contribution Guidelines.
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[x] I agree to follow this project's Code of Conduct
Contact Details
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Feature or improvement you want
Everything is in the title.
It would be great to have two separate tabs: one for channels (since we can have up to eight fo them) and another for direct messages.
It would also be helpful to have a "friends" filter for direct messages. Not "favorites" because in client_base, favorites have a special meaning (which I guess changed since the mode was introduced, so favorite doesn't juste mean "my buddies" or something like that).
I'm not sure what the ideal layout would be, but perhaps a filter in the main window could manage both channel discussions and direct messages.
Still, I think having them separated would be much more convenient, especially for users like me who have many direct messages and multiple channels. It would be faster than activating filters on and off constantly.
Thank you!
Why should this be added?
Separating channels and direct messages into two tabs would improve navigation and reduce clutter, especially for users who participate in multiple channels and handle many direct messages.
Screenshots / Drawings / Technical details
Channels Tab - displays only channel discussions (up to eight).
Direct Messages Tab - displays only private conversations, with an optional "friends" filter to quickly show messages from personnel contacts.
This separation removes the need to repeatedly toggle filters in a mixed conversation list. Users would simply click between the two tabs to switch contexts... channel-focused communication in one place, and private messages in another, making navigation faster and reducing clutter for those with many messages or multiple channels activities.
I've put together a quick mockup to illustrate my idea (it's just a rough concept to help visualize the enhancement request, colors, exact icons, and overall style can all be changed. I'm not a designer, this is only for clarity).
The icons could be aligned to the left (or right, depending on what looks best). By default, the Conversations section would open on the “All” tab, just like it does now of course.
The main goal is to make the tab selection persistent: when the user switches to another tab (Private Channels or Direct Messages) and later returns to Conversations, the app should remember and reopen the last selected tab instead of always resetting to "All". This way, users stay in the context they were working in.
I envision this feature working similarly to how email apps handle navigation: a 'Unified Inbox' (our current 'All' tab) plus the ability to switch to a specific account/folder and have the app remember that choice.
I initially tried circles instead of rounded rectangles to replace the four empty placeholders, with a a green border when the tab is opened, while staying close to the existing design language. It actually works well too (I tested it in a mockup).
The only consideration is the unread message counter, since no one realistically exceeds 3 digits unread messages (I mean it's possible so it should be able to handle it in the UI), circles can easily accommodate a small badge in the top-right corner (or even bottom-right if that fits the style better).
One more thing I forgot: in the Private Channels tab, it would be better to keep the channel order fixed instead of automatically sorting by most recent activity like we have now. Which makes sense when channels and messages are grouped together (I still don't live having the slot number not in order, visually speaking lol).
Since there are only up to 8 slots, and they all fit on one screen, constantly moving channels with new messages to the top isn't really a time-saver anyway so they should be fixed in their order.
Showing the unread count next to each channel is enough imo. This way, users always find their channels in the same predictable position, which makes navigation faster and more reliable.
It's one thing we often see on smartphone apps, things that we constantly go to moving around, and we always have to think : where is it.
Agree with the last bit, regarding fixing the positions. I'm indifferent on the segregation.
I think the last bit would be easier to implement if we can have different tabs, each type of discussions.
I'm suggesting this change (while keeping the first "tab" the same for people who prefer how it works today) because in our workspace we have a ton of direct messages, plus 3–4 private channels on top of the default one, and navigating all of that is getting pretty difficult, with dozens of discussions.
This would help a lot, and even with a regular use, it would look less crowded too.
If this does get implemented then it should be more thumb friendly and moved to the bottom.
Yes good idea I put it up there to not overcharge the bottom with he other icons, but it can be anywhere if they prefer for sure