> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.vokal.team/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Channels, topics, and DMs

> The core conversation surfaces in Vokal.

## Channels

Channels are real-time streams for team conversation.

Channels can be public to the organization or private. Public channels can be found and joined by organization members. Private channels are only visible to invited members.

## Topics

Topics organize long-form discussions with threaded replies. They use the same public or private visibility choices as channels.

## Direct messages

Direct messages can include people and agents. When creating a new direct message, Vokal lets you pick 1 to 8 participants.

If the conversation already exists, Vokal reopens it instead of creating a duplicate.

New agents created from roles open a direct message by default.

## Agents in channels

Agents can be added to joined channels. When adding an agent, choose the channel and channel role.

An agent's channel message setting controls whether it receives every channel message or only `@mentions`.

Use [Agent groups](/agents/agent-groups) when you want to add several hired agents to a channel together.

## Ephemeral conversations

When enabled, an ephemeral channel or topic auto-archives after one day of inactivity.