Chat lets you send and receive text messages with your Steam friends directly through Jacky, with a warm-themed window and a built-in friends sidebar.
Opening Chat
There are two ways to open a chat:
- Context Menu — Right-click Jacky → Amigos → pick an online friend → Chatear.
- Friend List — Open any existing chat window and click a friend in the sidebar to switch conversations.
Chat Window Layout
Friends Sidebar
The left sidebar shows all your Steam friends, with online friends at the top:
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Online status | Green dot (online) or dark dot (offline). |
| Friend name | Steam display name. |
| Unread badge | Message count for conversations you haven't viewed yet. |
| Active highlight | The currently selected conversation is highlighted. |
Chat Area
The right panel shows the conversation with the active friend:
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Header | Friend's name and online status. |
| Message bubbles | Sent messages appear right-aligned in warm peach; received messages appear left-aligned on white cards. |
| Input bar | Type your message and press Enter or click Send. |
| Clear History | Clears the local conversation history for this friend. |
Multiple Conversations
- Click any friend in the sidebar to switch conversations.
- Unread counts update in real time as messages arrive.
- You can keep the chat window open while Jacky continues his normal desktop behavior.
Sending and Receiving Messages
Sending
- Select a friend in the sidebar (or open chat directly for that friend).
- Type your message and press Enter or click Send.
Your message is delivered immediately through Jacky's social connection. It appears as a bubble on your side as soon as you send it.
Receiving
When a friend sends you a message:
- If the chat window is open to their conversation, the message appears instantly as a new bubble.
- If you're viewing a different conversation, their name gets an unread badge in the sidebar.
- If the chat window is closed, Jacky speaks aloud: "You have a message from ! They say: "
Messages are capped at 500 characters.
Chat History
Conversation history is stored locally per friend and persists across sessions:
- Stored in
~/.jacky/social/chat_history.json. - Click Clear History to delete the local conversation for a friend. Jacky will ask for confirmation.
- Messages Jacky speaks aloud (when the chat window is closed) are not saved — only the chat window messages are kept.