zulip/templates/zerver/help/delete-a-topic.md

Delete a topic

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We generally recommend against deleting topics, but there are a few situations in which it can be useful:

• Clearing out test messages after setting up an organization.

• Clearing out messages from an overly enthusiastic bot.

• Managing abuse.

In most other cases, renaming a topic is often a better idea, or just leaving the topic as is. Deleting a topic can confuse users who come to the topic later via an email notification.

Note that deleting a topic also deletes every message with that topic, whereas deleting a stream does not.

Delete a topic

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1. Hover over the topic in the left sidebar.

2. Click the down chevron ().

3. Click Delete all messages in <topic>.

4. Click Delete messages.

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Note that deleting the last message with a particular topic also deletes that topic.