# Start a new chat or group

> How to start a chat with one person in Rasum, create a group, invite people and join a chat by its address.

Source: https://doc.rasum.chat/en/chats/neuer-chat/

Everything new in Rasum starts with **"Start chat"** in the bar at the bottom. There you start a chat with one person, create a group or invite friends to Rasum.

## Where do I start a new chat?

You start a new chat from the bar at the bottom.

1. Tap **"Start chat"** [Icon: pencil on a sheet] in the bar at the bottom.
2. The **"Start chat"** screen opens.

On the **"Start chat"** screen you find:

- the search field **"Search for someone"** at the top,
- **"New room"** – creates a **group** (see below),
- **"Join room by address"**,
- **"Room directory"**,
- **"Invite people to Rasum"**.

**Android:** Below that, under **"Suggestions"**, are your recent chats with single people.

## Start a chat with one person

For a chat with one person, you search for them by their name or username.

1. Tap **"Start chat"** at the bottom.
2. Tap the **"Search for someone"** field at the top.
3. Enter the name or the username, for example `@name:rasum.chat`.
4. Tap the person in the results list.
5. Rasum asks **"Send invite?"** and **"Would you like to start a chat with …?"**.
6. Tap **"Send invite"**.

The other person gets an invitation to this chat. More under [Invitations](https://doc.rasum.chat/en/chats/einladungen/).

**Android:** If the app does not know the person yet, it asks **"Start a chat with this new contact?"** instead.

## Why does "New room" create a group?

The **"New room"** entry always creates a **group**, even if you only invite one person. That is why the next screen is called **"New room"**.

If you only want to write with a single person, use the **"Search for someone"** search field instead (see above).

## Create a group

A group is a chat with several people.

1. Tap **"Start chat"** at the bottom.
2. Tap **"New room"**. The **"New room"** screen opens.
3. Enter a name for the group under **"Add name…"**.
4. Optional: enter a topic, that is, a short description.
5. Choose who can join: **"Private"** or **"Public"**.
6. Go on to the next step, **"Invite people"**.
7. Search for the people and select them.
8. Confirm your selection.

**Private** means: only invited people can join. **Public** means: anyone can join.

**Android:** For a public group, you also enter an **"Address"**. You can also assign the group to a space with **"Add to space"**. You can postpone inviting people with **"Skip"**.

If creating the group does not work, the app shows **"An error occurred when creating the room"**. Check your internet connection and try again.

## Invite more people to a chat

You can also invite people to an existing group later.

1. Open the chat.
2. Tap the chat's name at the top. The **"Room info"** opens.
3. Tap **"Invite"** [Icon: person with plus sign].
4. Search for the people and select them.
5. Confirm your selection.

The app shows notices such as **"Already a member"** or **"Already invited"**. If sending does not work, **"Unable to send invite(s)"** appears.

## Invite friends to Rasum

You can invite people who do not have Rasum yet with an invitation text.

1. Tap **"Start chat"** at the bottom.
2. Tap **"Invite people to Rasum"**.
3. Your phone's share menu opens.
4. Choose an app, for example email or SMS, and send the invitation.

The person then installs Rasum and creates an account. More under [Getting started](https://doc.rasum.chat/en/erste-schritte/).

## Join a chat by its address

Public chats have an address. It starts with `#`, for example `#name:rasum.chat`.

1. Tap **"Start chat"** at the bottom.
2. Tap **"Join room by address"**.
3. Enter the chat's address.
4. Tap the chat that was found and join it.

**Android:** While you type, the app reports **"Not a valid address"**, **"Matching room found"** or **"Room not found"**.