Manage Direct Messages in ClickUp

Keeping conversations tidy in ClickUp helps you focus on active work and reduce distraction. This guide explains how to close direct messages, what happens when you close them, and how to find or restore any closed chats whenever you need them again.

What are direct messages in ClickUp?

Direct messages are private one-to-one or group chats with your teammates. They appear in the Chat section of your Workspace sidebar and are separate from task comments or other collaborative tools.

Over time, your list of conversations can grow long and cluttered. To improve clarity, you can close direct messages you no longer need in your active list without deleting any content.

Why close direct messages in ClickUp?

Closing old or inactive conversations offers several benefits:

• Reduce clutter: Hide chats that are no longer active from your main Chat view.
• Stay focused: Keep only the most relevant discussions visible.
• Maintain history: Preserve all messages while removing visual noise.
• Quick recovery: Reopen closed chats anytime with a simple toggle.

This behavior is similar to archiving: the conversation is hidden from the active list but retained for reference and future use.

How closing direct messages works in ClickUp

Before you begin, it helps to understand what closing a direct message actually does inside ClickUp:

• The chat is removed from your main Chat list when you are not viewing closed conversations.
• No messages are deleted; the full history remains intact.
• Other participants in the chat do not lose access; closing is specific to your own view.
• You can always show closed messages again and reopen any conversation.

This makes it safe to close conversations that feel complete while keeping your workspace organized.

How to close a direct message in ClickUp

Use these steps to close a direct message from your active conversation list:

1. Open your Workspace.
   Sign in and navigate to the Workspace where the conversation lives.

2. Go to the Chat section.
   In the left sidebar, open the area where your direct messages are listed.

3. Locate the direct message.
   Find the one-to-one or group chat you want to close in the list.

4. Open the conversation options menu.
   Hover over or right-click the conversation name, then open its options menu (usually represented by three dots or a similar icon).

5. Select the Close option.
   Choose the option to close the direct message. The chat is now hidden from your default list of active conversations.

After these steps, the direct message will no longer appear in your standard Chat view, helping you keep your active list focused.

Show and review closed messages in ClickUp

You can always review closed conversations. To see them, you need to show closed messages in your Chat pane:

1. Open the Chat section again.
   Navigate back to the main Chat area in your Workspace sidebar.

2. Use the filter or view toggle.
   Look for an option labeled similar to Show closed or a toggle that switches between open and closed conversations.

3. Enable closed messages.
   Turn this option on to reveal all of your closed direct messages alongside your open ones.

Once enabled, closed conversations become visible and can be opened like any other chat. This is where you can find messages you intentionally closed or closed by mistake.

Reopen a closed direct message in ClickUp

If you want to move a closed conversation back into your active list, reopen it with a few quick steps:

1. Show closed messages.
   Make sure the option to show closed direct messages is turned on, as described above.

2. Select the closed conversation.
   Click the name of the chat you want to reopen to load it.

3. Open the conversation menu.
   Access the options menu for that conversation.

4. Choose the option to reopen.
   Select the setting that clears its closed status. The direct message will return to your regular list of active chats.

Reopening a message does not change its content. It simply updates how the conversation appears in your Chat view.

Best practices for managing ClickUp conversations

Use these tips to keep your direct messages efficient and easy to navigate:

• Close completed threads: When a topic is fully resolved, close the direct message so your list reflects only ongoing work.
• Use tasks for long-term work: Move important outcomes from chat into tasks or docs so decisions are tracked and actioned.
• Review closed chats regularly: Periodically scan the closed list to reopen any conversations that have become active again.
• Separate topics: Start new conversations when topics change significantly to avoid long, confusing threads.

Following these practices helps your team find the right information quickly and keep collaboration flowing smoothly.

More ways to optimize ClickUp workflows

For broader workflow and process improvements, you can explore professional consulting resources that specialize in workspace organization and automation. For example, Consultevo offers consulting and optimization services that can complement how you manage communication and tasks.

Learn more about ClickUp direct messages

If you want the precise, most up-to-date reference on handling direct messages, including closing behavior and interface details, review the official documentation provided by the platform. You can find it here: Close direct messages in ClickUp.

By regularly closing inactive conversations, showing closed messages when you need them, and reopening relevant threads, you can keep your Chat experience in ClickUp streamlined and aligned with your daily work.

Need Help With ClickUp?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.

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