> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.discord.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Direct Messages Design Guidelines

> Design guidelines for implementing Discord direct messaging features in your application.

## Badge when online elsewhere

The badging logic in direct-messages is consistent with the logic detailed in the [Unified Friends List](/developers/discord-social-sdk/design-guidelines/unified-friends-list) section.

If the user is **online elsewhere** and is not in the game client, their usernames will include a **Discord badge**. Once they're online in the game-client, they will not retain the Discord badge.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/discord/eiEEruEfypjAPE6V/images/social-sdk/design-guidelines/animated/DMs-02.gif?s=52fef05eb8918f6b275f8672bd7542cf" alt="Badge when online elsewhere" width="3840" height="2160" data-path="images/social-sdk/design-guidelines/animated/DMs-02.gif" />

## Message styling

Style the Discord logo to match a player's username color. The logo should feel tied to a user's identity, not the message content.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/discord/DCDjFHiqz1h7oI8V/images/social-sdk/design-guidelines/DMs-03.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=DCDjFHiqz1h7oI8V&q=85&s=3084ad8012c16f0d04ca94f9249eb89d" alt="Message styling" width="5760" height="3240" data-path="images/social-sdk/design-guidelines/DMs-03.png" />

## Unsupported rich media

Regardless of whether a user has signed into Discord, unsupported rich media content should be paired with an **external link icon**.

When content isn't clickable, don't show the icon.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/discord/DCDjFHiqz1h7oI8V/images/social-sdk/design-guidelines/DMs-04.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=DCDjFHiqz1h7oI8V&q=85&s=54796fc1af21a4dc3d47a7caaf15b60f" alt="Unsupported rich media" width="5760" height="3240" data-path="images/social-sdk/design-guidelines/DMs-04.png" />

***

## Resources

* [Development Guide: Direct Messages](/developers/discord-social-sdk/development-guides/sending-direct-messages)

## Change Log

| Date           | Changes         |
| -------------- | --------------- |
| March 17, 2025 | initial release |