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Overview

Overview​

RocketChat is a self-hosted team chat platform used across this environment — an open-source alternative to Slack or Microsoft Teams. It provides messaging, channels, direct messages, file sharing, and audio/video calling, all hosted on infrastructure your organization controls rather than a third-party cloud service.

Everything in RocketChat happens inside a room. There are several types:

  • Channels — topic-based rooms, either public (open to everyone in the workspace) or private (invite-only). See Channels.
  • Direct Messages (DMs) — private one-on-one or small-group conversations outside of channels. See Direct Messages.
  • Teams — groups that bundle together related channels for broader collaboration.
  • Discussions — focused side conversations spun off from a channel or team.
  • Threads — replies organized under a specific message, to keep a busy channel readable.

Prerequisites​

Steps​

Log in​

  1. Go to https://auth.mchmr.ai.
  2. Log in using either your CAC or your account's email/username and password.
  3. From your list of available applications, select the RocketChat icon to launch the application.

Get oriented​

Once you're in, the main navigation sits along the top and left side of the screen:

  • Avatar (top right): opens your user menu — set your status (Online/Away/Busy/Offline), open Account settings, view keyboard shortcuts, or log out.
  • Home: returns you to the workspace home screen.
  • Directory: search the workspace for channels, users, and teams.
  • Create new (+): start a new direct message, channel, team, or discussion.
  • Search bar (Ctrl/Cmd + K): quickly jump to any channel or user by name.
  • Sidebar: lists the rooms you're a member of. Use the Display icon above it to sort by activity or name, and group by unread, favorites, or room type.

Screenshots​

Screenshot pending — Tactical ID My Applications with the RocketChat icon.

Screenshot pending — RocketChat workspace home screen with sidebar, top navigation, and search bar labeled.

Troubleshooting​

  • RocketChat icon doesn't appear on your applications list: your Application Request for RocketChat may not be approved yet — check with your Apex Edge administrator, or see Requesting an App After Enrollment.
  • Logged in but the workspace looks empty: you may not have been added to any channels yet — ask a teammate to invite you, or use the Directory to find and join a public channel (see Channels).