{start_tabs}

{tab|desktop-web}

1. Click the **Start new conversation** button at the bottom of the app, or
   use the <kbd>C</kbd> keyboard shortcut.

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

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

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

!!! tip ""

    You can click on the
    **Clear topic** (<i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-close"></i>) icon
    near the upper right of the compose box to erase the topic name.

!!! warn ""

    In Zulip, you can compose a message to a different place than the one you
    are viewing. In this situation, the message feed will fade to indicate
    what's going on.

{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}