title: Threads crumb: Guides / Threads description: Slirc threads: start a focused conversation from one message. Threads are ordinary IRC channels, so they stay portable. lead: Each thread is an ordinary IRC channel linked to one message. The app handles the link and title; IRC clients see a channel they can join and use normally. ## Start a thread in the app Write the first message, then add `/threads` at the end: ```text We should use SQLite /threads ``` `/thread` and `/t` are shorter aliases. 1. The message is posted in the current channel. 2. The app creates a channel such as `#t-3fa921`. 3. The message becomes the thread title and channel topic. 4. The app opens the new thread. Send replies as usual. Threads show up under **Threads** in the rooms panel, so you can jump back in later. ## Use the thread from IRC The parent channel gets an announcement with the thread channel and an app link: ```text ↳ thread #t-3fa921 — We should use SQLite — https://… ``` Join the channel in Senpai or another IRC client: ```text /join #t-3fa921 ``` Replies are regular IRC messages. Topics, membership, and history come from the IRC server rather than a separate thread database.

Note

Thread creation currently starts in the app. IRC users can discover, join, and reply to every thread.

## Why threads are channels Because a thread is a real channel, it stays portable and searchable. Nothing about a thread is trapped in the app: history, membership, and topics work the same everywhere IRC works. Read more about the thinking in [privacy & safety](/docs/privacy).