When commenting on a previous message, it is sometimes desired to clarify which message the comment refers to. Currently, Message Styling (XEP-0393) [1] quotes are commonly used for that purpose. However, this format does not allow receiving clients to properly identify the referenced message or to adjust the user interface accordingly.
This specification defines a way to indicate that a message is a reply to a previous message. It does not intend to provide means to create sub-threads for a message.
To indicate that a message is a reply, a <reply> element in the urn:xmpp:reply:0 namespace is placed in the message stanza. The <reply> element has a 'to' attribute containing the full jid of the author of the referenced message and an 'id' attribute containing the id of the referenced message.
<message to='max@example.com' from='anna@example.com/tablet' id='message-id1' type='chat'> <body>We should bake a cake</body> </message> <message to='anna@example.com' id='message-id2' type='chat'> <body>Great idea!</body> <reply to='anna@example.com/tablet' id='message-id1' xmlns='urn:xmpp:reply:0' /> </message>
To provide a fallback for non-supporting clients, the sending client MAY include fallback text in the body and indicate it via Compatibility Fallback.
<message to='anna@example.com' id='message-id3' type='chat'>
<body>
> Anna wrote:
> We should bake a cake
Great idea!
</body>
<reply to='anna@example.com/laptop' id='message-id1' xmlns='urn:xmpp:reply:0' />
<fallback xmlns='urn:xmpp:feature-fallback:0' for='urn:xmpp:reply:0'>
<body start="0" end="36" />
</fallback>
</message>The receiving client SHOULD NOT display the compatibility fallback if it renders the referenced message alongside the reply in some way. However, if the receiving client does not display the referenced message, for example because it doesn't know the referenced id, it MAY display the compatibility fallback instead.
Answers MUST NOT be be assumed to relate to any other messages than the referenced one.
For messages of type 'groupchat', the stanza's 'id' attribute MUST NOT be used for replies. Instead, in group chat situations, the ID assigned to the stanza by the group chat itself must be used. This is discovered in a <stanza-id> element with a 'by' attribute that matches the bare JID of the group chat, as defined in Unique and Stable Stanza IDs (XEP-0359) [2].
This implies that group chat messages without a Unique and Stable Stanza IDs (XEP-0359) [2] stanza-id cannot be replied to.
For other message types the sender should use the 'id' from a Unique and Stable Stanza IDs (XEP-0359) [2] <origin-id> if present, or the value of the 'id' attribute on the <message> otherwise.
This document requires no interaction with the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) [3].
This document requires no interaction with XMPP Registrar [4].
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The Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) is defined in the XMPP Core (RFC 6120) and XMPP IM (RFC 6121) specifications contributed by the XMPP Standards Foundation to the Internet Standards Process, which is managed by the Internet Engineering Task Force in accordance with RFC 2026. Any protocol defined in this document has been developed outside the Internet Standards Process and is to be understood as an extension to XMPP rather than as an evolution, development, or modification of XMPP itself.
The primary venue for discussion of XMPP Extension Protocols is the <standards@xmpp.org> discussion list.
Discussion on other xmpp.org discussion lists might also be appropriate; see <https://xmpp.org/community/> for a complete list.
Errata can be sent to <editor@xmpp.org>.
The following requirements keywords as used in this document are to be interpreted as described in RFC 2119: "MUST", "SHALL", "REQUIRED"; "MUST NOT", "SHALL NOT"; "SHOULD", "RECOMMENDED"; "SHOULD NOT", "NOT RECOMMENDED"; "MAY", "OPTIONAL".
1. XEP-0393: Message Styling <https://xmpp.org/extensions/xep-0393.html>.
2. XEP-0359: Unique and Stable Stanza IDs <https://xmpp.org/extensions/xep-0359.html>.
3. The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) is the central coordinator for the assignment of unique parameter values for Internet protocols, such as port numbers and URI schemes. For further information, see <http://www.iana.org/>.
4. The XMPP Registrar maintains a list of reserved protocol namespaces as well as registries of parameters used in the context of XMPP extension protocols approved by the XMPP Standards Foundation. For further information, see <https://xmpp.org/registrar/>.
Note: Older versions of this specification might be available at https://xmpp.org/extensions/attic/
First draft.
@report{wirth2022reply,
title = {Message Replies},
author = {Wirth, Natalie and Wissfeld, Marvin},
type = {XEP},
number = {xxxx},
version = {0.0.1},
institution = {XMPP Standards Foundation},
url = {https://xmpp.org/extensions/xep-xxxx.html},
date = {2022-01-01/2022-01-01},
}END