---
title: "Create a New Channel in Rocket Chat"
slug: "create-a-new-channel"
description: "Learn how to create new channels in Rocket Chat. Enable secure team communications and structured collaboration."
updated: 2026-08-24T13:46:15Z
published: 2026-08-24T13:46:15Z
canonical: "docs.rocket.chat/create-a-new-channel"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.rocket.chat/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create a New Channel

You can create a new channel in Rocket.Chat from the web, desktop, or mobile app.

> [!NOTE]
> Channels have restrictions on their naming. To update the regex used for channel name validation, go to Manage → Workspace → Settings → General →UTF8.

Web/DesktopMobile

To create a channel from the browser or desktop app:

1. On the menu bar, click **Create new** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/6ae79a05-7252-45d0-96e8-8f375e07b1b2/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2025-12-22 194724.png) → **Channel** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/6ae79a05-7252-45d0-96e8-8f375e07b1b2/Images/Documentation/image(241).png)
2. Enter a **name** and (optional) **topic** for the channel.
3. (Optional) Add **members**, or skip this step to [add them later](/v1/docs/manage-room-members#add-members-to-a-room).
4. Choose whether the team should be [private or public.](https://docs.rocket.chat/v1/docs/teams#team-security-and-permissions)
5. Expand **Advanced settings** to configure the [Security and permissions](https://docs.rocket.chat/v1/docs/channels#channel-security-and-permissions) settings.
6. (Optional) Expand **Advanced settings** to configure your preferred [security and permission settings](https://docs.rocket.chat/v1/docs/teams#team-security-and-permissions) :
  1. **Federated**: Enable [federation](/v1/docs/decentralized-communication-with-federation-in-rocketchat) if supported in your workspace.
  2. **Encrypted**: Enable [end-to-end encryption](/v1/docs/configure-e2e-encryption) if available.
  3. **Read-only**: Restrict message sending to admins only.
  4. **Broadcast**: Allow only admins to post, while others can reply messages as qouted DMs.
7. When finished, click **Create**.

To create a new channel from the Rocket.Chat mobile app:

1. On the menu bar, tap the **Create new** plus icon ![image.png](https://cdn.us.document360.io/6ae79a05-7252-45d0-96e8-8f375e07b1b2/Images/Documentation/image(306).png) and select **Channel** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/6ae79a05-7252-45d0-96e8-8f375e07b1b2/Images/Documentation/image(241).png).
2. (Optional) Add **members**, or skip this step to [add them later](/v1/docs/manage-room-members#add-members-to-a-room).
3. Click **Next** and enter a Channel **name** (required).
4. Choose whether the channel should be [private or public.](https://docs.rocket.chat/v1/docs/teams#team-security-and-permissions)
5. Update your preferred [security and permission settings,](https://docs.rocket.chat/v1/docs/teams#team-security-and-permissions) such as enabling **Read-only** or **Broadcast** mode.
6. Tap **Create channel**.

> [!WARNING]
> **If your workspace requires** [**encryption for private rooms,**](/v1/docs/configure-e2e-encryption#force-encryption-on-private-rooms1) **encryption is turned on automatically for private channels and cannot be turned off.**

## Join a channel

You can join channels in Rocket.Chat through **search, invites, or mentions**:

- Use the **search bar** (`Ctrl/Cmd + K`) to look up channels and users. Public channels appear in the results; private channels do not.
- If you select a public channel you are not a member of, click **Join** to enter the channel.
- You can also join channels when another user invites or mentions you in them.

## Mark a channel as favorite

Marking a channel as a favorite keeps it pinned at the top of your sidebar for quick access.

You can favorite a channel in two ways:

- **From the sidebar:** Hover over the channel, click the kebab menu (**⋮**), then select **Favorite**.
- **Inside the channel:** At the top of the channel screen, click the **star** icon next to the channel name to mark that channel as **Favorite**.

To remove a channel from your favorites, repeat the same steps and select **Unfavorite**.

> [!NOTE]
> **Related resources**
> 
> - [**Rocket.Chat Room Roles**](https://docs.rocket.chat/v1/docs/room-roles): Learn about different roles and their permissions within channels.
> - [**Manage Channels with the REST API:**](https://developer.rocket.chat/apidocs/create-channel) Use API endpoints to automate channel management.