Messages is internal team chat. It's how staff talk about the work — customers never see any of it.
There are three kinds of conversation: jobcard threads, direct messages, and groups.
Jobcard threads
Every jobcard has a Messages tab. Anything posted there is part of that jobcard's thread — the same conversation appears in the main Messages section under the jobcard's name.
This is the most common way to discuss a job. You can ask a technician to check something, leave a note for reception, or flag a parts query — all tied directly to the vehicle.
Direct messages and groups
To start a new conversation, open Messages and tap New.
Open Messages
Select Messages from the sidebar.
Start a new conversation
Tap New, then choose Direct Message or Group. (Jobcard threads aren't started here: post on the jobcard's Messages tab instead.)
Pick your recipients
Search for team members and select them, then tap Start Chat (or Create Group).
@mentioning a colleague
Type @ inside any message and a list of teammates appears. Pick the person from that list. The mention shows up in their My Work under Recent Mentions so it doesn't get lost, and they get a notification.
Typing the name yourself doesn't mention anyone
Only names chosen from the autocomplete count as mentions. If you type "@Dave" and carry on without selecting him, the message sends with the text "@Dave" in it and nothing else happens: no mention is recorded, no notification is sent, and it won't reach his Recent Mentions. It looks exactly like a real mention in the thread, which is what makes it worth watching for. If you've deleted and retyped part of the name, select it from the list again.
@mentions work in all three conversation types — jobcard threads, direct messages, and groups.
Who has access
Everyone on the workshop floor can use Messages. Starting a direct message or group needs the messages.direct permission, which Manager and Reception have by default; Technicians can post on jobcard threads but won't see the New button. The Accountant role does not have access.
The company owner isn't a role in your roles list; it's a property of the account, and it clears every permission check, so the owner can always do all of the above. The roles seeded into a new garage are Manager, Technician, Reception and Accountant.
Messages is internal only. It has no connection to customer-facing features like invoice emails or SMS. Customers cannot see or receive anything sent here.