{start_tabs}

{tab|via-left-sidebar}

1. Click the **plus** (<i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-square-plus"></i>) button next
   to the name of the channel where you'd like to start a conversation.

1. Enter a topic name. Think about finishing the sentence: “Hey, can we chat about… ?”

{!compose-and-send-message.md!}

!!! keyboard_tip ""

    You can also use the <kbd>C</kbd> keyboard shortcut to start a new topic in
    the channel you're viewing.

{tab|via-compose-box}

1. Click the **Start new conversation** button at the bottom of the app.

1. _(optional)_ You can change the destination channel for your message using
   the dropdown in the top left of the compose box. Start typing to filter
   channels.

1. Enter a topic name. Think about finishing the sentence: “Hey, can we chat
   about… ?”

{!compose-and-send-message.md!}

!!! keyboard_tip ""

    You can also use the <kbd>C</kbd> keyboard shortcut to start a new topic in
    the channel you're viewing.

{tab|mobile}

1. Tap the **Channels**
   (<img src="/static/images/help/mobile-hash-icon.svg" alt="hash" class="help-center-icon"/>)
   tab at the bottom of the app.

1. Tap on the desired channel.

1. Tap the compose box at the bottom of the app.

1. Enter a topic name. Auto-complete will provide suggestions for previously
   used topics.

1. Compose your message, and tap the **send**
   (<img src="/static/images/help/mobile-send-circle-icon.svg" alt="send" class="help-center-icon"/>)
   button in the bottom right corner of the app.

{end_tabs}