Text Chat Component

The Text Chat component enables real-time text messaging between participants during experiments. It uses LiveKit's data channels for reliable, low-latency communication.

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Key Features

• Real-time text messaging
• Message history persistence
• Configurable position on screen
• Message deletion (optional)
• Read-only observer mode
• Automatic participant identification
• Timestamps on messages

When to Use

Use the Text Chat component when you need to:

• Enable text-based communication between participants
• Allow collaboration without audio/video
• Supplement video chat with text
• Record written discussions for analysis
• Provide an accessible communication option

Configuration

Basic Settings

Setting	Description	Default
Position	Screen position of chat panel	bottom-right
Allow Sending Messages	Whether participants can send	true
Allow Message Deletion	Whether senders can delete their messages	true

Position Options

Position	Description
top-left	Upper left corner
top-right	Upper right corner
bottom-left	Lower left corner
bottom-right	Lower right corner

Appearance

Setting	Description	Default
Width	Chat panel width	300px
Height	Chat panel height	400px
Minimizable	Allow collapsing the panel	true
Show Timestamps	Display message times	true

Examples

Default Chat

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Read-Only Mode

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For observers who can see but not participate.

Different Positions

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Position the chat where it won't interfere with main content.

As a Global Component

Text Chat is a global component that persists across experiment states:

1. Enable in the Global Components tab
2. Configure position and settings
3. Set visibility per state using the matrix view

This allows chat to remain active while participants complete different tasks.

Message Persistence

Chat messages are:

• Stored for the duration of the experiment session
• Available for data export after the experiment
• Associated with participant IDs and timestamps

Data Collection

Text Chat stores all messages:

{
  "messages": [
    {
      "id": "msg_1234",
      "senderId": "participant_1",
      "senderName": "Participant A",
      "content": "Hello, can you see this?",
      "timestamp": 1621453287000,
      "deleted": false
    },
    {
      "id": "msg_1235",
      "senderId": "participant_2",
      "senderName": "Participant B",
      "content": "Yes, I can see it!",
      "timestamp": 1621453290000,
      "deleted": false
    }
  ]
}

Best Practices

1. Clear Purpose: Explain to participants when and how to use chat
2. Position Wisely: Place chat where it won't obscure important content
3. Monitor Usage: Review chat logs for research-relevant content
4. Set Expectations: Let participants know messages are recorded
5. Consider Accessibility: Text chat helps participants who can't use audio

Text Chat vs Video Chat

Feature	Text Chat	Video Chat
Communication	Written messages	Audio/video
Bandwidth	Very low	Higher
Permanence	Messages saved	Real-time only
Accessibility	Easy to review	Harder to transcribe
Privacy	More anonymous	Face visible

Many experiments use both together for flexible communication.

Common Use Cases

Collaborative Tasks

Enable participants to coordinate on shared tasks.

Discussion Experiments

Study how participants communicate about topics.

Supplemental Communication

Backup channel when video chat isn't suitable.

Observer Mode

Let researchers monitor without interfering.

Related Components

• Video Chat - For audio/video communication
• Waiting - For synchronization between participants