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Message Queue

The Message Queue feature allows you to continue composing and sending messages while the AI is still generating a response. Instead of blocking your input until the current response completes, your messages are queued and automatically sent in sequence.

The same queue catches a message whose attachments have not finished uploading, so pressing send early parks the message instead of rejecting it. See Attachments Still Uploading.

How It Works​

When you send a message while the AI is generating a response:

  1. Your message is queued - It appears in a compact queue area just above the input box
  2. You can continue working - Add more messages, edit queued messages, or delete them
  3. Automatic processing - Once the current response finishes, all queued messages are combined and sent together

This creates a seamless workflow where you can capture thoughts as they come without waiting for the AI to finish.

Queue Management​

Each queued message shows three action buttons:

ActionIconDescription
Send Now↑Interrupts the current generation and sends this message immediately. Greyed out, with a Waiting for upload tooltip, while the message still has an attachment that is uploading or that failed
Edit✏️Removes the message from the queue and puts it back in the input field
Delete🗑️Removes the message from the queue without sending

Combining Messages​

When the AI finishes generating, all queued messages are combined into a single prompt (separated by blank lines) and sent together. This means:

  • Multiple quick thoughts become one coherent message
  • Context flows naturally between your queued inputs
  • The AI receives everything at once for better understanding

Attachments Still Uploading​

Sending a message before its attachments have finished uploading queues it rather than refusing. The message leaves the input box straight away and waits in the queue, each attachment showing a spinner until it is ready, and goes out on its own once they all are. No second press of send is needed.

This happens whether Enable Message Queue is on or off, since a message with an unfinished upload has nothing to send yet either way. Notes, knowledge bases and chats hold nothing up, because nothing is uploaded for them.

When an Upload Fails​

A queued message whose attachment failed is labeled Upload failed and holds the whole queue, so nothing behind it is sent. Clear it with Edit, which returns the message and its attachments to the input box so you can remove the failed file, or Delete, which drops the message and its attachments.

Persistence​

The message queue is preserved when you navigate between chats within the same browser session:

  • Leaving a chat - Queue is saved to session storage
  • Returning to the chat - Queue is restored and processed
  • Closing the browser - Queue is cleared (session storage only)

This means you can start a thought, switch to another chat to check something, and return to find your queued messages waiting.

Settings​

You can disable the Message Queue feature if you prefer the traditional behavior:

  1. Go to Settings → Interface
  2. Find Enable Message Queue under the Chat section
  3. Toggle it off

When disabled, sending a message while the AI is generating will:

  • Interrupt the current generation
  • Send your new message immediately
Default Behavior

Message Queue is enabled by default. The toggle allows you to choose between:

  • Queue mode (default) - Messages queue up until generation completes
  • Interrupt mode - New messages stop current generation immediately

Either way, a message with an attachment that is still uploading is queued until the upload settles. See Attachments Still Uploading.

Use Cases​

1. Stream of Consciousness​

You're reading an AI response and have follow-up questions. Instead of waiting:

  • Queue your first follow-up
  • Queue a clarification
  • Queue another thought

All are sent together when the AI finishes.

2. Adding Context​

The AI is working on a complex response, but you remember additional context:

  • Queue the extra information
  • The AI receives it as part of the next message

3. Multitasking​

You're in a long conversation and need to capture quick notes:

  • Queue messages as reminders
  • Edit or delete before they're sent
  • Use "Send Now" for urgent interruptions

Summary​

FeatureBehavior
EnabledMessages queue during generation, sent together when complete
DisabledNew messages interrupt current generation immediately
Pending uploadsMessage is queued until its attachments finish, then sent, whether the toggle is on or off
Failed uploadQueued message is marked Upload failed and holds the queue until you edit or delete it
PersistenceQueue survives navigation within session
ActionsSend Now, Edit, Delete for each queued item

The Message Queue helps you maintain your flow of thought without the friction of waiting for AI responses to complete.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a warranty, guarantee, or contractual commitment. Open WebUI is provided "as is." See your license for applicable terms.