# The four body doubling modes

> Silent, Intros only, A little chat is fine and Happy to talk. The camera is on in all four; the microphone and the text chat are what change.

Source: https://plexiidesk.com/help/body-double-modes
Section: Focus and flow > Body doubling
Plans: Pro and Team plans
Updated: 2026-10-15

Every body doubling session runs in one of four modes. The mode says how much contact you want with your partner, from none at all to working out loud together. You are only ever paired with someone who picked the same mode, so you both know what to expect.

In every mode your camera is on, because seeing someone else at their desk is the point of body doubling. Either of you can turn your camera off at any time. What the modes change is the microphone and the text chat.

## Before you start

- **Plan:** body doubling is part of the **Pro** and **Team** plans.
- **Where you choose:** in the **Body double** panel when you look for a partner, or ahead of time under **Settings > Account > Body double**. See [Set your body doubling preference](https://plexiidesk.com/help/settings-account-body-double).
- **New to body doubling?** Start with [Body doubling: work alongside someone](https://plexiidesk.com/help/body-double-overview).

## The modes at a glance

The modes are listed quietest first, as they appear in PlexiDesk.

| Mode | What PlexiDesk says | Microphone | Text chat |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Silent** | Cameras only. No microphone and no chat, just someone else working too. | Never turned on | None |
| **Intros only** | Say hello and what you are working on. Mics mute after two minutes, then quiet. | On for two minutes, then muted | Yes |
| **A little chat is fine** | Mics start muted. Text chat, or unmute for a quick word now and then. | Starts muted | Yes |
| **Happy to talk** | Mics on and chat open. Co-working out loud. | On | Yes |

## Silent

For when you only want company. PlexiDesk never turns your microphone on in this mode. It is not just muted: it is not used at all, so nothing can be heard by accident and PlexiDesk does not need microphone permission.

- There is no **Mute** button on the video, and no text chat.
- There is no **What are you working on?** line, so your partner sees only your session name and your camera.
- The Body double panel says **You're not alone.** and suggests you close it and get to work.
- The line on the video reads **Silent · no microphone, just company**.

**Silent** is where PlexiDesk starts until you choose another mode.

## Intros only

For a quick hello, then quiet work. Your microphone is on when the video opens, so you can say hello and what you are working on.

- The line on the video counts down, for example **Intros · your mic mutes in 1:45**.
- After two minutes, PlexiDesk mutes your microphone. The line then reads **Intros done · mic muted, unmute to say goodbye**.
- You can unmute at any time, for example to say goodbye.
- Text chat stays open for the whole session. When it is empty, it suggests **Say hi and what you are working on.**

## A little chat is fine

For mostly quiet work with the odd word. Your microphone is ready but starts muted.

- Click **Unmute** on the video to say something, and **Mute** when you are done.
- The line on the video reads **A little chat · mic muted, unmute for a quick word**, or **A little chat · mic is on** while you are unmuted.
- Text chat is open for the whole session.

## Happy to talk

For working out loud together. Your microphone is on from the start, and text chat is open.

- The line on the video reads **Happy to talk · mic and chat are open**.
- You can still click **Mute** whenever you want a moment of quiet.

## Tips

- **Not sure? Start with Silent.** It opens the least: your camera and nothing else.
- **Pick the mode for how you want to work today.** You are only matched with someone who chose the same mode, so if a match is slow to come, you can cancel and try another mode.
- **Change your usual mode any time.** Choosing a mode in the panel also makes it the mode the panel starts on next time.

## Common questions

**Can my partner hear me in Silent?** No. Your microphone is never turned on in **Silent**.

**Can my partner unmute me?** No. Only you can unmute your own microphone.

**Can we switch modes during a session?** No. You were matched on the mode you both picked. To work in another mode, end the session and look for a partner again.

**Can I join without my camera?** Your camera turns on when the session starts, in every mode. You can then click **Turn camera off** on the video at any time.

## Related tasks

- [Find a partner and run a session](https://plexiidesk.com/help/body-double-session)
- [Set your body doubling preference](https://plexiidesk.com/help/settings-account-body-double)
- [Body doubling: work alongside someone](https://plexiidesk.com/help/body-double-overview)
- [Allow microphone, camera and screen recording on a Mac](https://plexiidesk.com/help/mac-permissions)