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Mini Conversations List

The WebSocket version's Mini Conversations list is a compact conversation-list widget fixed to the bottom of every page. Users see their recent conversations with live unread counts, and clicking opens a mini-chat popup without leaving the current page. Persistent across the site — your inbox follows you everywhere.

WebSocket version

Real-time unread updates require the persistent WebSocket connection. The free version's Conversations mini-widget shows a static count refreshed on page load.

What it adds#

  • Compact conversation list at the bottom of every page
  • Recent conversations with live unread counts updated in real-time
  • Click any conversation to open it as a mini-chat popup (no page navigation)
  • New messages reorder the list automatically (busiest conversations to the top)
  • Role-based visibility restrictions
  • Persistent presence across all site pages — your messenger is always one click away

How it works#

The Mini Conversations list loads on page render and subscribes to the WebSocket events for the user's conversations. As messages arrive:

EventOutcome
New message in a conversationThe conversation moves to the top of the list
Unread count incrementsBadge updates instantly
User opens the conversationUnread count clears
User reads on another tabRead state syncs across tabs (cross-tab BroadcastChannel)
Page navigationWidget state persists. Doesn't reload

The widget behaves like the bottom-of-screen messenger panels in Facebook and Slack — always accessible, never modal.

When to enable#

Site profileWhy the list is useful
Community / social networkMembers message frequently — easy access matters
MarketplaceBuyer-vendor messaging is a primary action
LMS / trainingStudents message peers and instructors throughout the day
Support / salesReps need to see incoming messages while on other pages
Personal-use siteOne-on-one with friends. Persistent inbox keeps it natural

How to enable#

Whether the widget appears at all is decided by the widget bar's own list, and the widget's own options live on its sub-tab.

WP Admin → Better Messages → Settings → Appearance → Mini widgets → Widget bar → Widgets on the bar

  • Put Conversations in the list — and order it — to show the widget. Taking it out of the list is how you turn it off. The side panel and the mobile tab bar each keep their own list.

WP Admin → Better Messages → Settings → Widgets → Conversations

  • Widget Icon — the icon used for the Conversations tab in the mini widgets, the side panel and the mobile tab bar
  • Show Unread Counter — show the unread count on the tab
  • Role Restrictions — hide the Conversations mini widget tab from selected roles. The side panel and mobile Conversations views cannot be hidden, because they are the primary messaging UI.

The widget pairs naturally with Mini Chats — clicking a conversation in the list opens it as a Mini Chat popup.

Frequently asked questions#

Can I show only certain conversations in the list?#

By default, all of the user's conversations are shown, sorted by recency. There is no built-in filter for restricting the list today — override the relevant React component via the plugin override pattern if you need a custom filter.

How many conversations are shown?#

About 20 most recent by default. The user can scroll for older conversations.

Does the widget consume bandwidth even when idle?#

Minimal — the WebSocket connection is already open for other features. The list piggybacks on it. No extra connections, no polling.

Can I hide the widget on specific pages?#

Yes — add custom CSS scoped to those pages targeting the mini-threads container, or dequeue the widget script with the wp_enqueue_scripts action on the pages where it shouldn't appear.

What's the difference between the Mini Conversations list and Mini Chats?#

Mini Conversations list = the conversation list widget (this doc). Mini Chats = the popup chat windows that open when you click a conversation. They work together: the list is the launcher, Mini Chats is the active conversation surface.

See also#