Calling all Bluesky users! The wait is finally over. You can now send private messages directly to your friends, colleagues, or secret crush. Bluesky, the social media platform taking the internet by storm with its focus on decentralization and user control, has rolled out its highly anticipated direct messages (DMs) feature.

While Bluesky has been making waves for its unique approach to social media, the lack of DMs was a sticking point for some users. This update lets you have private conversations directly within the Bluesky app, similar to how DMs function on other platforms.

For now, it’s text-only chats, but don’t worry, Bluesky is already working on bringing support for images and videos to your DMs. Sending a DM is a breeze. Just look for the chat icon at the bottom of your mobile screen or the chat bubble in the sidebar on your desktop. Once you’ve opened the chat menu, creating a new conversation is as simple as searching for the username of the person you want to message and hitting send.

It’s important to note that Bluesky’s DMs aren’t encrypted yet, but worry not, end-to-end encryption is on the horizon according to the platform’s roadmap.

Who can send you a DM? By default, Bluesky allows anyone you follow to slide into your DMs. But don’t worry, you have control! You can adjust these settings in the platform’s menu, picking from options like “Everyone,” “No one,” or sticking with the default “Users I follow.” Feeling overwhelmed by notification sounds? You can also choose to enable or disable them altogether.

Just like on other platforms, Bluesky empowers you to manage your messaging experience. You can report inappropriate DMs and block users entirely, preventing them from contacting you. But here’s a twist: muted users can still send you messages, they just won’t show up in your notifications.

Bluesky emphasizes user privacy, but it’s important to understand that in rare cases, the moderation team may need to access your DMs. This is limited to investigating severe cases of abuse and is “tracked internally” according to Bluesky.

The launch of DMs marks another significant step in Bluesky’s journey. Since dropping its invite system in February, the platform has been steadily adding features that empower its users. This includes allowing users to host their own servers and even making their content moderation tools open-source.

Looking ahead, Bluesky’s roadmap promises exciting new features. Get ready for longer video uploads (up to 90 seconds!), even more robust anti-harassment tools, and the highly anticipated group chats.