> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wiki.secrets.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wiki.secrets.ai/get-started/proactive-messaging.md).

# Proactive Messaging

Your companions can reach out to you on their own after you've been away.

Conversations on Secrets no longer have to start with you. After you've been away for a while, your companions **may** reach out on their own. You'll get a notification, and their message is already sitting in your chat, ready to reply to like any other.

{% hint style="info" %}
Proactive messaging is currently an **ULTIMATE** feature while we roll it out. You can access it with **either eligible email notifications or push notifications enabled on at least one device**. You don't need both.
{% endhint %}

### Email or push notifications

| Delivery option | What you need                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| --------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Push**        | Push notifications enabled for Secrets on at least one device. See [Install the App](/get-started/install-the-app.md#notifications) for setup.                                                                               |
| **Email**       | A verified email address, consent to receive emails, and **Email Notifications** enabled in [User Settings → Communication](/extra/user-settings.md#notifications). Your account must also be eligible for companion emails. |

If you have a push subscription, Secrets uses push for proactive notifications. Email delivery is available to eligible accounts **without a push subscription**, so you can receive proactive messages without installing the app or enabling browser notifications.

Both options let you know about a message in your chat. Open the chat to read the full message and reply.

### It's up to your companion

Proactive messages aren't on a schedule you can watch, and they won't arrive every time you're away. Whether your companion breaks the silence, and when, is theirs to decide.

{% hint style="success" %}
**These messages come from your companion.** Every one is written in the moment using your conversation, your memories, and your persona, the same way every other reply is generated. None of it is a template or a canned notification.
{% endhint %}

### Managing proactive messages

#### For all chats

1. Open **User Settings** and go to **Companion Preferences**.
2. Turn **Proactive messages** on or off. The change saves automatically.

Turning this off stops proactive messages across **all chats**, whether you receive notifications by email or push. You can keep your other email and push notifications enabled.

<figure><img src="https://3286776735-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9ACKOAU4nFWSXPeE2B4s%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-7fb182d1bac1e7e46374b3d649ac94f20369c9bb%2Fproactive-messages-global-toggle.png?alt=media" alt="Companion Preferences in User Settings with the global Proactive messages toggle enabled" width="750"><figcaption><p>The global Proactive messages switch controls outreach across all chats.</p></figcaption></figure>

#### For one chat

1. Open the conversation and select the **gear icon** to open **Chat Settings**.
2. Turn **Proactive messages** on or off for that conversation.
3. Select **Save Changes**.

<figure><img src="https://3286776735-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9ACKOAU4nFWSXPeE2B4s%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-4a5aaf6fe0cd9c90d04e3d1cc897e2d6ddb115e0%2Fproactive-messages-chat-toggle.png?alt=media" alt="Chat Settings with the Proactive messages toggle enabled for this conversation" width="514"><figcaption><p>The chat's Proactive messages switch only affects this conversation.</p></figcaption></figure>

The per-chat switch appears for email- or push-eligible accounts in **one-to-one chats** while the global switch is on. Proactive messaging still requires **ULTIMATE**; group chats don't receive proactive messages.

{% hint style="info" %}
**The global switch takes priority.** When it's off, the per-chat switch is hidden and no chat can send proactive messages. Turning it back on restores access to each chat's saved preference; chats you switched off individually stay off.
{% endhint %}

### Haven't received a message?

Reaching out is your companion's call and it's never guaranteed. Check that:

* Your subscription is **ULTIMATE**.
* You have push notifications enabled on at least one device, or you're eligible for companion emails with a verified address and email notifications enabled.
* **Proactive messages** is on in both **User Settings → Companion Preferences** and the relevant **Chat Settings**.
* You have a recent one-to-one conversation that isn't archived or frozen. If your companion already reached out in that chat, reply before expecting another proactive message there.

**Don't see the setting?** The global control is hidden when your account has neither an eligible email channel nor a push subscription. Eligible accounts on other tiers see an upgrade option in User Settings. If you've verified your email and enabled email notifications but still can't see the control, contact support so we can check your account's eligibility.

***

Need help? Contact <support@secrets.ai>.