# Create and Manage Channels > Set who can read and post in a channel, keep its settings current, pin messages, and archive it when the work ends. Source: https://jobwisepro.com/help/team-chat/create-and-manage-channels Category: Team Chat Updated: 2026-10-28 A channel is a named conversation in [team chat](/go/chat). You create one from the sidebar, then decide who can read it and who can post in it. For the basics, see [Introduction to Team Chat](/help/team-chat/introduction-to-team-chat). ## Create a channel Only members with full chat access can create a channel. 1. Choose **Browse channels** under **Channels** in the sidebar. - If you have not joined a channel yet, the item reads **Find a channel to join**. 2. In **Browse Channels**, choose **New channel**. - The button sits in the panel footer when channels exist, and in the empty state when none do. ![New Channel panel with the Name and Description fields and the Who can read and Who can post settings](/help-shots/team-chat/create-and-manage-channels/new-channel.png) 3. Type a name in **Name**. 4. Type a **Description**. The field is optional. 5. Under **Who can read**, choose **Everyone** or **Only selected roles and people**. 6. Under **Who can post**, choose **Everyone who can read** or **Only selected roles and people**. 7. Choose **Create channel**. - The button stays disabled until **Name** has text. The channel opens, and you are a member of it. > **Tip:** The plus icon beside **Channels** in the sidebar opens the **New Channel** panel directly. ## Set who can read and post Add roles and people to a list when its setting is **Only selected roles and people**. 1. Choose **Add people or roles** under the restricted setting. - A role adds every member who holds it. A person adds only that member. 2. Type in the search field. 3. Choose a role or person. 4. To remove a role or person, choose the x icon beside their name. Each list shows the roles and people you added. > **Note:** Admins can always read and post, whatever these lists say. ## Change channel settings Use **Channel settings** to change a channel's name, description, or access. 1. Open the **Conversation options** menu in the channel header. 2. Choose **Channel settings**. The **Channel Settings** panel opens. - The item appears only if you can manage the channel. 3. Change **Name**, **Description**, or the access settings. 4. Choose **Save changes**. The panel closes. > **Note:** While **Who can read** is restricted, removing someone from the read list also removes them from the post list. Members who lose read access no longer see the channel, unless they are admins. ## Join and leave channels ### Join a channel Join a channel you can read to add it to your sidebar. 1. Choose **Browse channels** in the sidebar, or **Find a channel to join** if you have not joined a channel yet. 2. Type in the search field to find the channel by name or description. 3. Choose **Join** beside the channel. The channel opens and appears in your sidebar. > **Tip:** With the channel open, choose **Join channel** in the header. ### Leave a channel Leaving takes a channel out of your sidebar, and other members keep it. 1. Open the **Conversation options** menu in the channel header. 2. Choose **Leave channel**. - The item appears only for a channel you have joined. - If you can manage the channel, choose **Channel settings**, then choose **Leave** in the **Leave channel** row. The channel leaves your sidebar at once. To join it again, choose **Browse channels**. ## Pin messages ### Pin a message Only members who can post can pin a message. 1. On the message, open the menu labeled **More actions**. 2. Choose **Pin message**. - If the message is already pinned, the item reads **Unpin message**. The pin button appears in the channel header while a message is pinned. ### View and unpin pinned messages Open the pinned list to find a pinned message or remove its pin. 1. Choose the pin icon button in the channel header. - The number beside the icon counts the pins. 2. Choose a message in the list to open it. - A reply opens in its thread. See [Use Threads](/help/team-chat/use-threads). 3. To unpin, choose the unpin icon beside the message. - Only members who can post see the unpin icon. The message leaves the list, and the count drops. ## Archive a channel Archive a channel when its work ends, which stops new posts for every member. 1. Open the **Conversation options** menu in the channel header. 2. Choose **Archive channel**. - On an archived channel, the same menu shows **Unarchive channel** instead. The header shows the **Archived** badge. ## Access rules and limits - The hash icon marks a channel everyone can read. The lock icon marks a channel restricted to selected roles and people. - While **Who can read** is restricted, anyone added to **Who can post** can also read. - Owners and admins can manage every channel. The creator can manage a channel only while holding full chat access. - For what each role can see and change, see [Create and Edit Roles and Permissions](/help/team/roles-and-permissions). - Creating a channel adds the creator with read and post access. An admin can remove that access. - **Browse Channels** lists every channel you can read, joined or not. - Archived channels do not offer **Join channel** in the header. - **Name**: Between 1 and 80 characters, and unique across channels. Repeated spaces become one space. - **Description**: Up to 500 characters.