***

id: 1ac3268e-33c8-44b3-8fa1-f9f514edb76c
title: Chat Client
sidebar-title: Client
slug: /node/reference/chat/client
description: Chat Client reference for chat messaging.
max-toc-depth: 3
----------------

[events]: /docs/server-sdk/v4/node/reference/chat/client/events

[listen]: /docs/server-sdk/v4/node/reference/chat/client/listen

[signalwire-realtime-client]: /docs/server-sdk/v4/node/reference/realtime-client

The Chat Client enables real-time messaging between users. Access it via the `chat` property on a [`SignalWire Client`][signalwire-realtime-client].

```javascript
import { SignalWire } from "@signalwire/realtime-api";

const client = await SignalWire({ project: "<project-id>", token: "<api-token>" });
const chatClient = client.chat;
```

Use `subscribe()` to join channels, `publish()` to send messages, and [`listen`][listen] to receive events. See [Events][events] for all available events.

## Examples

### Listening for messages

```javascript
await chatClient.listen({
  channels: ["general", "support"],
  onMessageReceived: (message) => {
    console.log(`${message.channel}: ${message.content}`);
  }
});
```

### Publishing messages

```javascript
await chatClient.publish({
  channel: "general",
  content: "Hello, world!",
});
```