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

# Messaging

> Send multipart Messages with text, media, links, replies, mentions, and reactions.

A Relay Message belongs to one Chat and contains an ordered `parts` array.

## Part types

| Type    | Use                          | Key fields                          |
| ------- | ---------------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| `text`  | Plain text and mentions      | `value`, `mention`, `mention_range` |
| `media` | Image, video, audio, or file | `attachment_id` or HTTPS `url`      |
| `link`  | Rich link preview            | `value`                             |

A Message has 1 to 100 parts. A `link` must be the only part in its Message.

## Send paths

| Path                                | Use                                               |
| ----------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| `POST /v1/messages`                 | Resolve or create a Chat, then send               |
| `POST /v1/chats/{chatId}/messages`  | Send to an existing Chat                          |
| `POST /v1/chats/{chatId}/voicememo` | Send an uploaded audio Attachment as a voice memo |

## Message lifecycle

| State     | Meaning                                   |
| --------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| Sent      | Relay committed the Message               |
| Delivered | Every recipient durably accepted it       |
| Read      | Every recipient explicitly marked it Read |

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Sending Messages" href="/guides/messaging/sending-messages">Send text and multipart content.</Card>
  <Card title="Attachments" href="/guides/messaging/attachments">Upload and reuse files.</Card>
  <Card title="Voice memos" href="/guides/messaging/voice-memos">Send native audio messages.</Card>
  <Card title="Rich link previews" href="/guides/messaging/rich-link-previews">Send a URL as a link part.</Card>
  <Card title="Mentions" href="/guides/messaging/mentions">Address a Contact in a group.</Card>
  <Card title="Replies" href="/guides/messaging/replies">Reply to an exact part.</Card>
  <Card title="Reactions" href="/guides/messaging/reactions">Add standard or custom reactions.</Card>
  <Card title="Message details" href="/guides/messaging/message-details">Read status, timestamps, and history.</Card>
</CardGroup>