Databases

Chat Schema: Direct Messages & Group Channels

ER Diagrams · made in Skemio

ER diagram detailing unified conversations, members with read pointers, messages, and delivery receipts.
ER diagram detailing unified conversations, members with read pointers, messages, and delivery receipts.
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What it shows

  • A single conversation entity handles both 1-on-1 DMs and multi-user groups.
  • Per-member read pointers calculate unread badges without scanning messages.
  • Message receipt tables track delivered and read acknowledgments at scale.

The takeaway

Treat 1-on-1 direct messages as group conversations capped at two members to eliminate duplicate schemas.

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