Open the compose box

The Zulip compose box starts off closed by default, leaving more vertical space for the message feed. There are a number of ways to open the compose box.

Using the mouse

  • Click on any message.

  • Click on Message..., New topic, or New private message at the bottom of the app.

Using the keyboard

All replies are to the message in the blue box.

  • Reply: R or Enter

  • New topic: C

  • New private message: X

You can move the blue box around using the arrow keys, J, or K. You can close the compose box using Esc, or up/down arrow if the box is empty.

Zulip offers handy one-character keyboard shortcuts for reading messages. With the compose box closed, there is no need to use the Ctrl key all the time.