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Using the Element Matrix client

Your own instance?

Don't have your own Matrix instance yet? You'll find the right hosting with us.

Matrix is an open, decentralized messenger - similar to WhatsApp or Signal in everyday use, but independent of any single provider. In this guide, we'll walk you through the basics of using it. Some of it will probably already be familiar to you from other messengers.

Further down this page, you'll find the basics: connecting, joining rooms and reacting to messages. Everything about formatting messages is in our guide to message formatting.

The Matrix client​

We recommend Element as your Matrix client (Web, Desktop/Mobile), or its newer mobile app Element X. The following sections refer to the features and usage of this client, but there is also a range of other Matrix clients.

The Element interface​

The Element interface is clearly laid out and reminiscent of well-known messengers such as WhatsApp Web, Discord or Slack. If you still have questions when you first connect, you'll find answers in Element's official user guide.

Element Desktop: main window with room list, message history and sidebar

The window is divided into several areas:

  • Left sidebar: Here you'll find your rooms (chats) and spaces (groups of rooms). You can use the search function at the top to search for rooms, people or messages.
  • Message history (center): The central area shows the history of the currently open room. At the top, you can see the room name and options such as search or access to audio/video calls.
  • Input field (bottom): This is where you write your messages. You can also send files, images and voice messages.
  • Right sidebar (optional): The person icon in the top right corner shows a list of all room members. You'll also find the room settings here.

Connecting to your Matrix instance​

To connect to your Matrix instance, first select the homeserver (that's what your Matrix server is called) after opening Element. If your Matrix instance is located on the domain matrix.example.com, for example, enter this domain in the corresponding field.

Joining rooms - publicly, by invitation or by room address​

There are several ways to join a room:

  • Browse public rooms: Every Matrix server offers a directory of public rooms. You can find it in the left sidebar, provided that public rooms are available.
  • Enter a room address: If you know the address of a room (e.g., #general:example.com), you can enter it using the search function or the "Join room" dialog.
  • By invitation: Other users can invite you directly to a room. The invitation will then appear in your room list.

Replies / reactions​

You can reply and react to messages directly in the interface, e.g., in Element. To do this, use one of the icons that appear when you move the mouse pointer over the message.

Action bar above a message in Element with options for emoji, reply and thread

Here you can:

  • React with an emoji
  • Reply
  • Create a thread (a separate conversation about this message)
  • Pin the message
  • Edit the message
  • Delete the message
  • View more information

The "Edit" option is only available for your own messages.

Developer tools / devtools​

With the "/devtools" command, you can open the developer tools, where you can edit various settings and options. They open in a separate window.

Developer tools in Element

Next steps​

You now know the basics of using Element. Here are some more advanced topics:

Parts of the text and images are based on the Matrix documentation from TU Dresden, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. The content has been adapted to our style and partially expanded. This page of our wiki is therefore also licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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