This article provides information on messaging in the application, also known as Threads. Your Inbox provides a three-panel view:
– Thread list (left): Your conversations, with two tabs: Inbox and Archived. Each tab shows a count badge. Each thread row displays the subject, the initiator’s name, and count badges for unread messages, CUI markings, total messages, participants, and files.
– Conversation (center): Messages in chronological order. System events appear as inline notices.
– Files panel (right): All files in the thread, including deleted files (shown as placeholders). Selecting a file row highlights the uploading message.
Read Thread
To read a thread:
1. Select a thread from the left-hand list.
NOTE: The thread header at the top of the center panel shows:
-
- The thread subject.
- The date started, total message count, and the name of the initiator — the person who created the thread.
- The current Thread Manager (if different from the initiator).
- All CUI markings in the thread, shown as purple chips — a system-derived rollup updated automatically.
2. Read the conversation.
NOTE: Each message shows the author’s initials avatar, display name, timestamp, and any CUI markings.
3. View files in the Files panel.
Banners above the conversation explain non-active thread states:
- Locked: Read-only; no new messages or files.
- Archived: Read-only; a Thread Manager or Sponsor Admin must reactivate it.
- Orphaned: Thread Manager removed; messaging paused until a Sponsor Admin reassigns a manager.
Reply to Thread
To reply to a thread:
1. Open the thread from your Inbox.
2. In the reply box, type your message. The formatting toolbar supports bold, italic, underline, bulleted lists, numbered lists, and links.
3. Optionally select Mark CUI to classify the message.
4. Optionally attach a file using the paperclip icon; mark CUI per file.
5. Click Send — enabled once there is text or an attachment.
IMPORTANT! You cannot reply to a Locked, Archived, or Orphaned thread.
Files
- Attach a file: When composing or replying, select the paperclip. Keep the browser tab open until the upload completes.
- Download a file: In the Files panel, select the download button.
- Delete a file: Select the trash icon on any file in a thread you manage. Participants see a placeholder noting the file was deleted.
- Delete a message: Select the trash icon on any message in a thread you manage. Participants see a placeholder. Files attached to a deleted message must be deleted separately.
CUI Marking
CUI marking is optional and applied per message and per attachment separately. A thread’s overall CUI classification is a system-derived rollup shown as purple chips in the thread header.
- On a message: Select Mark CUI in the compose or reply area.
- On a file: Use the per-file CUI control on the attachment chip before sending.
Markings cannot be edited after sending. To correct a marking, delete the message or file and re-post.
Create Thread
Any email address is accepted — the domain does not need to be registered to your sponsor. Your sponsor has an allocated number of participant seats; adding someone who is not already a participant consumes one seat. If the seat cap is full, the add is blocked.
| User Type | Shows As | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Already a participant at this sponsor | Verified chip | Added to the thread and notified by email. No additional seat consumed. |
| Has a MAG account, not yet a participant at this sponsor | Verified chip | Added to this sponsor and the thread, and notified by email. Consumes one seat. If new to Exostar Secure Messaging entirely, all MAG accounts associated with that email are also subscribed. |
| No MAG account | Pending chip | An invitation to create a MAG account is sent. One seat is reserved. Once they create their account, they are enrolled and gain access to the thread. |
To create a new thread:
1. Select New Thread at the top of the thread list.
2. Add Participants by typing email addresses (separated by semicolons).
3. Enter a Subject (required, up to 500 characters).
4. Type a Message. Use the toolbar for formatting.
5. Optionally select Mark CUI on the message.
6. Optionally attach files with Add File; mark CUI per file.
7. Click Create Thread — enabled once at least one participant and a subject are entered.
After creation, you land on the thread detail view. Participants are notified by email.
Manage Participants on Thread
As Sponsor Admin, you have Thread Manager authority on every thread at your sponsor. The same user types and seat rules from the Who you can add table above apply when adding participants to an existing thread.
- Add participants: Select + Add in the participants bar, enter emails separated by semicolons, and confirm.
- Remove participants: Select the × on their chip and confirm. They lose access to current and future messages in this thread. Past contributions remain attributed and they can be re-added.
Thread Lifecycle
As Sponsor Admin, use the 3-dot menu in the thread header to manage any thread at your sponsor:
| Action | What it Does |
|---|---|
| Lock Thread | Stops new messages. Reversible via Unlock Thread. |
| Unlock Thread | Restores messaging on a locked thread. |
| Archive Thread | Requires confirmation. Removes all participants except the Thread Manager. Thread becomes read-only. |
| Reactivate Thread | Returns an archived thread to active. Thread Manager must re-add participants manually. |
| Transfer Thread Manager | Hands authority to another Thread Manager who is currently a participant on the thread. |
| Delete Thread | Permanently deletes the thread, all messages, and all files. Cannot be undone. Requires confirmation. |
Transfer Thread Manager
To transfer Thread Manager authority on a thread to another eligible participant:
1. Open the thread and select Transfer Thread Manager… from the 3-dot menu.
2. In the Transfer To dropdown, select an eligible Thread Manager. Only current participants who hold Manage Threads are eligible.
3. Click Transfer Thread Manager to confirm.
As Sponsor Admin you retain management rights over the thread regardless of who holds the Thread Manager role.
Delete Your Own Content
You can delete messages and files you have authored or uploaded on Active threads only.
Delete Your Message
To delete your own message:
1. On your message, select the trash icon.
2. Click Delete message to confirm.
Other participants will see a placeholder: This message was deleted. Files attached to the deleted message must be deleted separately.
Delete Your File
To delete a file you added:
1. In the Files panel, select the trash icon on a file you uploaded.
2. Click Delete file to confirm.
Other participants will see a placeholder showing the file was deleted.