Connect to multiple Mattermost workspaces

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Using the Mattermost desktop or mobile app, you can connect to multiple Mattermost servers from a single interface, and manage system permissions.

Add a server

The Server list is located in the top left corner of the window and displays all servers available. Drag to reorder the servers in the list. You can also navigate the server options using keyboard shortcuts.

Note

If you’re using the desktop app prior to release v5.0, individual servers display as separate tabs at the top of the window instead of the top left corner of the window as a list, and servers are managed by going to … > File > Settings on Windows and Mattermost > Preferences on Mac.

  1. Select Add a server.

Connect the desktop app to a Mattermost Server using options located in the top left corner of the Mattermost screen.

  1. Enter the server URL. Server URLs must begin with either http:// or https://.

Tip

Can’t find your Mattermost server URL? Ask your company’s IT department or your Mattermost system admin for your organization’s Mattermost Site URL. It’ll look something like https://example.com/company/mattermost, mattermost.yourcompanydomain.com, or chat.yourcompanydomain.com. These URLs could also end in .net.

  1. Enter the server’s Display Name.

  2. Optionally toggle the Advanced section to enter a Pre-authentication Secret. This is an additional security measure that some organizations use to control access to the Mattermost server. Your system admin can provide you with the Pre-authentication Secret value if required.

Desktop app server setup dialog showing the optional pre-authentication secret field.

  1. Select Add.

Tap the Servers Access server connection options using the Servers icon. icon located in the top left corner of the window to access all available servers and to add new servers.

  1. Tap Add a server.

  2. Enter the server URL. Server URLs must begin with either http:// or https://.

Tip

Can’t find your Mattermost server URL? Ask your company’s IT department or your Mattermost system admin for your organization’s Mattermost Site URL. It’ll look something like https://example.com/company/mattermost, mattermost.yourcompanydomain.com, or chat.yourcompanydomain.com. These URLs could also end in .net.

  1. Enter the server’s Display Name.

  2. Optionally toggle the Advanced Options section to enter a Pre-authentication secret. This is an additional security measure that some organizations use to control access to the Mattermost server. Your system admin can provide you with the Pre-authentication Secret value if required.

  1. Tap Done.

Edit a server

  1. Hover over a server and select the Edit icon.

    Edit an existing Mattermost server connection using options located in the top right corner of the Mattermost screen.

  2. Modify the server’s display name, URL, or pre-authentication secret, then select Save.

Edit server dialog showing display name, URL, and pre-authentication secret fields.

  1. Swipe left on an existing server entry to reveal additional options. Tap Edit.

  1. Modify the server’s display name or pre-authentication secret, and then tap Save.

Remove a server

Removing a server from your desktop app doesn’t delete its data. You can add the server back any time.

  1. Hover over a server and select Remove.

    Remove a Mattermost server connection using options located in the top right corner of the Mattermost screen.

  2. Select Remove when prompted to confirm.

Tap the Servers Access server connection options using the Servers icon. icon located in the top left corner of the window to access all available servers and to add new servers.

Swipe left on an existing server entry to reveal additional options. Tap Remove.

In the Mattermost mobile app, swipe left on an existing server connection entry to delete the connection.

Switch between workspaces

Select a workspace from the Servers list in the top left of the desktop app. See keyboard shortcuts for more navigation options.

Manage system permissions

From Mattermost desktop v5.9, you can manage system permissions when creating or managing existing Mattermost server connections, including: microphone access, camera access, notifications, and location.

Granting a system permission sets it to Accept, and revoking it sets it to Always Deny.

A screenshot of the system permissions that Mattermost users can manage when creating new server connections or editing existing connections.

Note

  • You can’t manage system permissions when using the Mattermost mobile app.

  • You’ll be prompted to accept or deny notifications after adding a new server connection, and any time you open the desktop app if you haven’t explicitly accepted or denied system permissions.

  • You may also need to enable notifications for Mattermost within your operating system preferences.

Open multiple workspace contexts

From desktop v6.0, you can keep multiple workspaces open at the same time and work across them without constant switching to improve situational awareness and operational efficiency. This capability is especially useful for organizations that operate in distributed or multi-domain environments, as it enhances cross-system interoperability and command-level situational awareness.

Select the New tab The Plus icon provides access to channel and direct message functionality. icon at the top of the desktop app to open a new tab for the current workspace. You can drag and drop to reorder the tabs in the main desktop window.

Open internal Mattermost links in a new tab or window by right-clicking on the link and selecting Open in new tab or Open in new window.

  • Convert tabs to new windows by right-clicking the tab label and selecting Move to new window.

  • Convert pop-out windows back to tabs in the main window by right-clicking on the window title and selecting Move to main window.

  • Close pop-out windows by right-clicking on the window title and selecting Close window.

Tip

You can manage windows and tabs from the Desktop app’s File menu, and review all open tabs from the Windows menu.