Messages - Direct & Group Messaging

Version: 1.0.0 Access: Sidebar → Messages (/messages)

11. Overview

Messages is the secure communication hub of the Aselius Platform. It supports:

• Direct messages (DMs): 1:1 conversations with connections
• Group messages: team and project conversations with channels
• Rich text: formatting, mentions, emoji, replies
• File sharing: attachments stored in private object storage
• Real-time delivery: live updates via WebSocket

Messages is optimized for professional collaboration: structured chats, permission-aware groups, and integration with Manage Teams so organizations get messaging automatically.

“

Transparency, AI today:
The Messages module is not AI-powered in the current release. Sending, receiving, searching, pinning, forwarding, and file attachment are deterministic application features. AI-assisted document understanding is available in Manage Files and Aselius Workspace, not inside the chat composer. Beunec will disclose if generative or summarization features are added to Messages in the future.

22. Who this is for

33. Architecture at a glance

44. Conversation types

4.1 Direct messages (DM)

Requirement: You must be connected with the other person (via Manage Teams → Personal Connections) before messaging.

Route example: /messages/dm/{cloudhandle}

4.2 Group messages

Sources of groups:

1. Auto-created when you create an organization in Manage Teams
2. Manually created from the Messages sidebar (standalone groups)

Route examples:

• /messages/group/{groupId} - group chat
• /messages/group/{groupId}/channel/{channelId} - specific channel

4.3 Threads (legacy)

Group threads have been retired in favor of channels. Some older UI labels may still reference threads; new work should use channels. Backend thread endpoints return “removed” responses.

55. End-to-end user flow

66. Messaging features (current release)

6.1 Composition and content

6.2 Group administration

6.3 Media & files gallery

From chat Settings → Media, you can browse shared media (images/videos) and documents shared in that conversation.

77. File sharing in Messages

7.1 How it works

Files are not embedded in the message database as blobs. They live in private object storage; downloads use time-limited presigned URLs.

7.2 Limits and types (Messages)

Rendering in chat:

• Images / video: inline preview where supported
• PDF, Office, text: icon + download / preview
• Other types: generic file card with download

7.3 Messages vs Manage Files (important distinction)

If you need AI to read, summarize, or answer questions about documents, use Manage Files. Messages is for timely exchange; Manage Files is for document intelligence.

Beunec does not publish internal parsing algorithms, model names, or conversion pipelines in public documentation. We disclose what the feature does for users and why files are validated, not how proprietary engines are implemented.

88. Security and privacy (high level)

Mute notifications is currently a client-side preference (browser storage), not a server policy.

99. Real-time behavior

Messages uses Socket.IO for live updates:

• New messages appear without full page refresh
• Edits, reactions, and pin changes propagate to open chats
• DM read receipts sync when participants view messages
• Connection presence (online / away / offline) updates connection cards in Manage Teams

For scale, the platform can use a Redis adapter for multi-instance WebSocket coordination (operations detail not disclosed publicly).

1010. Desktop vs mobile - Settings

Settings tabs include About, Media, Members (groups), Permissions (groups), and Channels (DMs).

1111. Integration with Manage Teams

Empty Messages state directs users to Manage Teams to connect or create a team, reflecting that relationships and organizations are prerequisites for a full messaging experience.

1212. Plans and fair use

Storage and history may vary by subscription tier. Examples from platform defaults:

Non-Pro DM history may be limited (e.g. recent message window) for performance and plan enforcement. Check in-product notices for your account.

1313. What Messages does not do (today)

• No AI reply suggestions, summarization, or translation in chat
• No built-in voice/video calls
• No email bridge or external federation (Slack Connect, etc.)
• No E2E encryption where even the server cannot decrypt (server encrypts at rest with platform keys)
• No AI parsing of attachments inside the chat thread

1414. Positioning: Aselius vs traditional chat apps

Aselius is not claiming to be “better Slack.” It is an infrastructure platform where secure messaging is a native pillar, not an afterthought, and where AI is applied deliberately where document and research workflows need it.

1515. Quick reference, common tasks

1616. Support and disclosure

• Product: Aselius Platform, Messages module
• Company: Beunec Technologies Inc.
• Encryption: Message body encrypted at rest; attachment security via private storage and authenticated access
• AI: Not used in Messages today; see Manage Files / Aselius Workspace for AI features
• Proprietary: Model selection, parsing engines, and internal routing are confidential