> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.hauch.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# hChat Channels

> Configure chat channels for your server.

Channels give every conversation its own format, visibility range, permissions, and cooldown. The default config includes `global`, `local` (distance-based), `staff`, `vip`, `trade`, and `world` (per-world).

## Channel options

| Option | Description |
| - | - |
| `format` | The chat format for the channel. |
| `range` | Distance-based local chat range. Use `-1` for global. |
| `cooldown` | Per-channel send cooldown in seconds. |
| `alias` | Shortcut prefix like `#l` or `#staff`. |
| `speak-permission` | Permission required to speak in the channel. |
| `see-permission` | Permission required to see messages. |
| `per-world` | If true, messages never cross worlds. |
| `default-by-permission` | Auto-join players with this permission on entry. |
| `hint-on-switch` | Action-bar hint shown when switching channels. |
| `hint-on-join` | Action-bar hint shown when joining. |
| `format-mode` | Override the global format mode for this channel. |

## Example channels

```yaml theme={null}
channels:
  global:
    format: "&7{player}&8: &f{message}"
    range: -1
    default: true
  local:
    format: "&8[Local] &7{player} &8» &f{message}"
    range: 80
    action-bar-hint: "&eThere are people talking near you"
    alias: "#l"
  staff:
    format: "&c[Staff] {player} &8» &f{message}"
    speak-permission: hchat.channel.staff
    see-permission: hchat.channel.staff.see
    alias: "#staff"
    format-mode: minimessage
```

## Using channels in-game

* `/channel` lists channels (click to switch).
* `/channel <name>` switches your active channel. The choice is remembered between sessions.
* `#staff hello` sends a message to the staff channel from anywhere.

## Default channel

The default channel (`global`) uses `chat.default-format` or a permission-based format from `chat.formats` (vip/mvp/admin). Make sure one channel has `default: true`.


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