You're mid-session with a client, the conversation is flowing, and someone drops a link, a resource, or a key question in the chat — but you're not sure how to access it without breaking your focus on the call. The chat sidebar during a video call is one of those features that feels invisible until you need it, and then it becomes something you use every single session. This guide covers exactly how it works in Coachful, how to get the most out of it, and what to do when something goes sideways.
TL;DR
- The chat sidebar is available in all Coachful video calls — 1:1 sessions, group calls, and intake calls.
- Open it by clicking the Chat icon in the call toolbar. It slides in without interrupting your video feed.
- Messages sent in the sidebar are persisted in the corresponding Squad or direct message thread — you won't lose them after the call ends.
- You can share links, files, and formatted text mid-call without ever leaving the video screen.
What is the chat sidebar in a Coachful video call?
Coachful's video experience is built on Stream, the same real-time infrastructure that powers the platform's full messaging system. That means the chat you see during a call isn't a throwaway overlay — it's a live connection to the actual conversation thread tied to that session. Whether you're on a 1:1 coaching call or running a group cohort session inside a Squad, the sidebar gives every participant a persistent, scrollable message channel right alongside the video feed.
For coaches, this is a meaningful upgrade over the "chat disappears when the call ends" pattern you might have experienced on standalone video tools. Everything typed in the sidebar during a Coachful session is saved and visible later in the relevant Squad thread or direct message conversation. That means your clients can revisit resources you shared, and you can reference what was discussed without needing to take separate notes.
For clients, it lowers the friction of asking a quick question without verbally interrupting — especially useful in group calls where raising a hand or unmuting can feel awkward.
How to open the chat sidebar during a video call
The sidebar is available on both desktop and mobile, though the layout differs slightly between the two. Here's how to access it on each:
On desktop (browser or PWA)
- Join or start your video call from your Coachful dashboard. Go to Bookings → Upcoming Sessions and click Join Call, or use the instant call link if your coach shared one.
- Once inside the call, look at the bottom toolbar. You'll see icons for microphone, camera, screen share, participants, and Chat.
- Click the Chat bubble icon. The sidebar slides in from the right side of the screen, leaving your video tiles visible on the left.
- Type your message in the input field at the bottom of the sidebar and hit Enter or click the send button.
- To close the sidebar and reclaim screen space, click the Chat icon again or the × at the top of the panel.
On iOS or Android (native app)
- Open the Coachful app and navigate to your upcoming session.
- Tap Join Call. The video interface loads in full-screen mode.
- Tap anywhere on the screen to reveal the toolbar at the bottom, then tap the Chat icon (speech bubble).
- The chat panel slides up from the bottom of the screen, overlaying the lower portion of the video. Your own video tile moves up to stay visible.
- Tap outside the panel or tap the Chat icon again to dismiss it.
Pro tip: On mobile, if you're presenting or screen-sharing, open the chat sidebar before you start sharing so you can keep an eye on questions without having to navigate back mid-presentation.
What you can do in the chat sidebar
The sidebar isn't just a plain text box. Because it's powered by Coachful's full Stream Chat integration, you get a rich messaging experience mid-call:
Send links and resources
Paste any URL and it will render as a preview card — useful for dropping a Google Doc, a worksheet, or a relevant article mid-session without emailing it separately. Clients can click the link directly from the sidebar.
Share files
Click the attachment icon in the chat input to upload a file. PDFs, images, and common document formats are supported. This is handy for coaches who want to drop a homework sheet or a framework diagram right into the session without screen-sharing the file.
React with emoji
Participants can react to individual messages with emoji — a lightweight way for clients in a group call to acknowledge something without unmuting and interrupting the speaker.
Tag participants (group calls)
In cohort-based group calls tied to a Squad, you can use @mentions to direct a message to a specific participant. They'll see a highlight on the message even if the chat panel is collapsed.
View message history
Scroll up in the sidebar to see messages from earlier in the call, or even from before the call started if the thread was already active. This is the same thread your clients use to message you between sessions.
Coaches on Coachful often use the chat sidebar to share the session agenda at the start of a call — paste it in before the client joins so it's the first thing they see when they open the sidebar. It sets the tone and keeps everyone aligned from minute one.
How the sidebar connects to your Squad and DM threads
This is the part that catches a lot of coaches off guard the first time: the chat sidebar during a video call is not a separate, temporary channel. It maps directly to a real conversation thread in your Coachful workspace.
- 1:1 sessions: The sidebar is connected to the direct message thread between you and that client. Any message sent during the call appears in your DM thread and vice versa — your client might even message you from the thread on their phone while on the call on their laptop.
- Group / cohort calls: When a group call is tied to a Program enrollment, the chat connects to the associated cohort Squad. Messages are visible to all Squad members, including those who couldn't attend the live session.
- Community Squads: If you run an always-on community Squad with group video calls, the sidebar maps to the main Squad channel, keeping conversation in one place.
This persistence means you can reference "what we talked about on the call" without digging through notes. Clients love this — it removes the post-session scramble to remember what was shared.
Best practices for coaches running live sessions
Using the chat sidebar well is a small skill that pays off in every session. Here's what experienced coaches on Coachful do differently:
Pre-load the chat before the session starts
Send a message in the relevant Squad thread or DM before the call begins. Drop the agenda, a warm welcome, or a pre-session question. When the client joins and opens the sidebar, they see something waiting for them — it's a small touch that signals you're prepared and engaged.
Use the sidebar for async follow-up mid-call
If a client asks something that deserves a longer answer than you can give live, drop a note in the sidebar: "Great question — I'll send you a full breakdown on this in the thread after we wrap." Then the client has a written record that you're going to follow up, and you have a reminder in the thread.
Encourage clients to use chat for side questions
In group calls especially, encourage quieter participants to use the sidebar for questions they might not voice out loud. Check the sidebar at natural pause points (transitions between agenda items) rather than mid-explanation so you don't lose your train of thought.
Pin key resources at the top of the thread
After the call, pin important messages in the Squad thread so clients can find the resources you shared without scrolling. This turns each call's chat sidebar into a lightweight session summary.
Troubleshooting common chat sidebar issues
The chat icon isn't showing in the toolbar
This usually means the call loaded in a browser tab that lost focus before the video interface fully rendered. Refresh the tab, rejoin the call, and the toolbar should appear with all icons including Chat. If you're on mobile, make sure you're on the latest version of the Coachful app — pull down on the app store listing to check for updates.
Messages I send in the sidebar aren't showing up for the other participant
First, confirm both participants have the sidebar open — messages arrive in real time, but the notification badge only appears when the panel is closed. If messages still aren't appearing, check your internet connection. Stream Chat requires a stable WebSocket connection; a weak signal can cause delivery delays. Ask the other participant to close and reopen the chat panel to force a refresh.
I can't see the chat history from before the call
The sidebar displays recent message history from the linked thread. If the thread has a large volume of messages, older content may require scrolling up within the panel. If history is missing entirely, confirm that the call is correctly linked to the right Squad or DM thread — this can occasionally be misaligned if a session was manually rescheduled. Check under Bookings → Session Details to verify the linked conversation.
Files I shared in the sidebar are showing as broken links
File uploads require your browser to have permission to access your file system. If you're on a managed device or a strict browser profile, the upload may fail silently. Try a different browser (Chrome or Edge work best) or switch to the Coachful mobile app to upload the file directly.
The sidebar is covering the participant video tiles on mobile
This is expected behavior on smaller screens — the chat panel overlays the video to maximize readability. Dismiss the panel after reading or sending your message to return to full-screen video. On tablets in landscape mode, the sidebar renders as a true side panel without covering the video feed.
@mentions aren't sending notifications to tagged participants
Ensure the participant has notifications enabled for the Squad or DM thread. They can adjust this under Profile → Notification Settings. Push notifications for @mentions also require the Coachful app to be installed and notification permissions granted on their device.
Ready to run your next session with the sidebar open?
The chat sidebar during a video call is one of those small, well-designed details that compounds over time. Every resource shared, every question captured, every follow-up logged — it all lives in the same thread your clients already use between sessions. No copy-pasting from one tool to another, no "I'll email that over" moments, no lost context.
If you're not yet running your sessions on Coachful, you can start a free trial and have your first call set up in minutes. Already a Coachful coach? Sign in to your workspace, open an upcoming session, and try pre-loading the chat sidebar with your agenda before your next client joins. It takes thirty seconds and it changes the feel of the whole session. For more guides on getting the most out of video and chat, browse the full help center.