# useMessages

Send room chat and read the provider's local history.

## Import

```tsx
import { useMessages } from '@relayrtc/react'
```

## Requirements

Call this hook inside [RelayProvider](/reference/sdk/client/react/RelayProvider), in a React function component or custom hook. A joined room is needed for live data and actions.

## Returns

| Field | Type | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| messages | readonly RoomTextMessage[] | Messages collected by this provider. |
| send | `(text: string) => Promise<RoomTextMessage>` | Send a text message. |
| clear | `() => void` | Clear only this client's history. |

## Example

```tsx
const { messages, send } = useMessages()

return (
  <div>
    {messages.map((message) => <p key={message.messageId}>{message.text}</p>)}
    <button onClick={() => void send('Hello').catch(console.error)}>Say hello</button>
  </div>
)
```

## Options and behavior

Sending requires messages:send. Text must be nonblank and no longer than 4,000 characters. A message contains messageId, roomId, participantId and text. History is local, limited by messageHistoryLimit, and is not persisted across reloads.