Images and Media
Status: Complete
Chatalot provides inline previews for image, video, and audio files shared in channels. Media is displayed directly in the chat so you can view content without downloading.
Image Support
Uploading Images
Images can be shared using any of the methods described in File Sharing:
- Upload button -- Click the paperclip icon and select an image file.
- Drag and drop -- Drag an image from your desktop into the chat area.
- Paste from clipboard -- Press Ctrl+V (Cmd+V on macOS) to upload a screenshot or copied image directly.
Supported Image Formats
The following formats are detected and displayed inline:
| Format | Extensions |
|---|---|
| PNG | .png |
| JPEG | .jpg, .jpeg |
| GIF | .gif |
| WebP | .webp |
| SVG | .svg |
| BMP | .bmp |
| ICO | .ico |
Inline Image Previews
When an image file is uploaded, it is rendered directly in the chat as a thumbnail. The preview shows:
- The image itself, constrained to a maximum size suitable for the chat view.
- The file name and size below the image.
- A Download link to save the full image.
Images that appear as URLs in regular text messages (for example, https://example.com/photo.png) are also detected and rendered inline.
Lightbox Viewer
Click any image in the chat to open it in the lightbox -- a full-screen overlay for viewing images at full resolution. The lightbox includes:
- Navigation arrows -- Browse through all images in the current channel using the left/right arrow buttons, or press the Left Arrow and Right Arrow keys on your keyboard.
- Download button -- Save the image directly from the lightbox.
- Close -- Click the background, press Escape, or click the close button to exit.
Tip: You can navigate between all images shared in the current channel using the arrow keys while the lightbox is open.
Video Support
Supported Video Formats
| Format | Extensions |
|---|---|
| MP4 | .mp4 |
| WebM | .webm |
| QuickTime | .mov |
Video Playback
Uploaded video files are displayed with a native HTML5 video player embedded in the chat. The player includes standard controls:
- Play/pause
- Volume control
- Seek bar
- Fullscreen toggle
The file name, size, and a download link appear below the player.
Audio Support
Supported Audio Formats
| Format | Extensions |
|---|---|
| MP3 | .mp3 |
| WAV | .wav |
| OGG | .ogg |
| FLAC | .flac |
| M4A | .m4a |
| AAC | .aac |
| Opus | .opus |
| WMA | .wma |
Audio Playback
Audio files are displayed as a compact card showing:
- A music note icon
- The file name and size
- A Download link
- A native HTML5 audio player with play/pause, seek, and volume controls
Other File Types
Files that are not images, video, or audio are displayed as a generic file card showing:
- A document icon
- The file name
- The file size
- A Download link
Examples include PDFs, ZIP archives, text files, and source code files.
Encryption Note
All media files are encrypted on your device before upload. The server stores only encrypted blobs. When you view a file, the client fetches the encrypted blob and decrypts it locally before displaying or playing it. This means media previews work seamlessly while maintaining end-to-end encryption.