Matches & inbox

How chat works

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SkillSwap Help Center

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Updated regularly for the latest SkillSwap experience•Approx. 3–4 min read

Where conversations live

The Inbox is where all communication with your matches happens. It's the place to ask questions, share context, and agree on session details before you book.

When a chat is created

A chat can be created when:

You accept someone's match request
Someone accepts your match request

Matches without a chat yet will usually have a Chat button on their profile or card — clicking it opens the conversation for the first time.

Inside the chat

The left side shows a list of all your conversations (people you're matched with).
The main area shows the messages exchanged with the selected person.
At the bottom is the message input field with a + button for extra actions.

What you can send

Depending on the current version of SkillSwap, chat supports:

Plain text messages (required)
Links to external resources
Session requests via the + → Schedule a session button

Good first messages

Your first message sets the tone. Great examples include:

“Hey! I'm learning React and saw you teach it. I'd love a 45-minute session to review my project. Are you free this week?”
“Hi! I'm practising conversational English for work calls. Could we do 30 minutes sometime in the evenings?”

Session requests inside chat

The easiest way to schedule is directly from the conversation:

Click the + button in the input
Select Schedule a session
Fill in the skill, duration and time
Send the request — it appears as a card inside the chat

You can then discuss changes or confirm details right there in the thread. Learn more in Session requests in chat.

Notifications

When someone sends you a new message, you may receive email notifications (if enabled) and see an unread indicator in the app.

You can manage these settings in Notifications Settings.

Safety in chat

You're never required to share personal contact details. It's recommended to keep communication inside SkillSwap, especially when starting out.

If someone is disrespectful or makes you uncomfortable, you can block or report them. Read more in Blocking & reporting users.

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