CopilotChatView
Layout component that combines a scrollable transcript with the input area
Overview
CopilotChatView is a layout component that combines a scrollable message transcript with the chat input area, suggestion pills, a scroll-to-bottom button, and an optional welcome screen. It is the visual core of the chat interface and is used internally by CopilotChat, CopilotPopup, and CopilotSidebar.
Every visual piece of CopilotChatView is exposed as a slot, so you can replace, style, or extend any part without rewriting the entire layout.
Import
CopilotChatView is a named export: import {CopilotChatView} from "@copilotkit/react-core/v2" also works via the re-export from
CopilotChat.View.
Slots
CopilotChatView uses the WithSlots pattern. Each slot prop accepts one of three value types:
| Value | Behavior |
| ------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Component | Replaces the default component entirely. Receives the same props the default would. |
| className string | Merged into the default component's class list via twMerge. |
| Partial props object | Spread into the default component as additional or overriding props. |
Passing a children render-prop gives you access to all composed slot elements plus data props, letting you arrange them in a fully custom layout.
Slot Props
The message list component that renders the conversation transcript. The default displays assistant messages, user messages, and a typing cursor. Replace it to add custom message types or modify the message layout.
The scrollable container wrapping the message list. The default handles auto-scroll behavior and scroll position tracking. Replace it to implement custom scroll mechanics.
A button that appears when the user has scrolled up from the bottom of the transcript. Clicking it scrolls the view back to the latest message.
The message input component. The default provides a text area with send button, transcription controls, file upload, and a tools menu. Replace it to build a fully custom input experience.
The container that wraps the input and disclaimer at the bottom of the chat. Positioned absolutely to remain fixed at the bottom as content scrolls.
A decorative gradient overlay that appears above the input container, creating a smooth visual transition between the message area and the input.
A disclaimer text line displayed below the input (e.g. "AI can make mistakes. Please verify important information."). Override or hide it with a replacement component.
The component that renders suggestion pills. Replace it to change how suggestions are displayed or animated.
Data Props
Array of conversation messages to display. When used via CopilotChat, this
is managed automatically by the agent. When using CopilotChatView
standalone, you must supply the messages yourself.
Whether the view should automatically scroll to the bottom when new messages
arrive. Set to false if you want manual scroll control.
Additional props forwarded to the inner CopilotChatInput component. Use this
to configure auto-focus, custom submission handlers, transcription callbacks,
or tools menus without replacing the input slot entirely.
Whether the agent is currently processing. When true, the input shows a stop
button and the message view displays a typing cursor on the latest assistant
message.
Array of suggestion objects to display as clickable pills below (or above) the
input area. Each suggestion has a title, message, and optional isLoading
flag.
Indexes of suggestions that are currently in a loading state (e.g. the user just clicked them and the agent is processing).
Callback invoked when the user clicks a suggestion pill. Receives the selected suggestion object and its index.
Controls the welcome screen shown when the messages array is empty.
true-- show the default welcome screenfalse-- disable the welcome screenclassNamestring -- style the default welcome screen- Component -- replace the welcome screen entirely
The welcome screen component receives input and suggestionView as React elements, plus a welcomeMessage slot, so you can compose them in any layout.
Static Sub-Components
CopilotChatView exposes its default slot implementations as static properties for use in custom compositions:
CopilotChatView.ScrollView-- default scroll container with auto-scroll supportCopilotChatView.ScrollToBottomButton-- default scroll-to-bottom buttonCopilotChatView.Feather-- default gradient overlayCopilotChatView.InputContainer-- default input containerCopilotChatView.Disclaimer-- default disclaimer textCopilotChatView.WelcomeMessage-- default welcome messageCopilotChatView.WelcomeScreen-- default welcome screen layout
Usage
Standalone Usage
function CustomChat({ messages, isRunning }) {
return (
<CopilotChatView
messages={messages}
isRunning={isRunning}
autoScroll={true}
/>
);
}
Replacing a Slot with a Custom Component
function CustomDisclaimer(props) {
return (
<div {...props}>Powered by CopilotKit. Responses may contain errors.</div>
);
}
function Chat({ messages, isRunning }) {
return (
<CopilotChatView
messages={messages}
isRunning={isRunning}
disclaimer={CustomDisclaimer}
/>
);
}
Styling a Slot with a className
function Chat({ messages, isRunning }) {
return (
<CopilotChatView
messages={messages}
isRunning={isRunning}
scrollView="bg-gray-50"
inputContainer="border-t border-gray-200"
/>
);
}
Custom Layout with Children Render-Prop
function Chat({ messages, isRunning }) {
return (
<CopilotChatView messages={messages} isRunning={isRunning}>
{({
scrollView,
input,
inputContainer,
feather,
disclaimer,
suggestionView,
}) => (
<div className="flex flex-col h-full">
<div className="flex-1 overflow-hidden">{scrollView}</div>
{feather}
{suggestionView}
{inputContainer}
</div>
)}
</CopilotChatView>
);
}
Behavior
- Auto-scroll: When
autoScrollistrue, the view uses a stick-to-bottom strategy that keeps the latest message visible. A scroll-to-bottom button appears when the user scrolls up. - Welcome screen: When
messagesis empty andwelcomeScreenis notfalse, a welcome screen is rendered in place of the transcript. The welcome screen receives theinputandsuggestionViewelements so they can be placed within the welcome layout. - Input container positioning: The input container is absolutely positioned at the bottom of the chat, and the scroll area pads its content to avoid overlap.
- Resize handling: The scroll view monitors input container height changes to keep padding in sync and hides the scroll-to-bottom button during resize transitions.
Related
CopilotChat-- high-level component that wires an agent intoCopilotChatViewCopilotPopup-- popup variant that usesCopilotPopupView(extendsCopilotChatView)CopilotSidebar-- sidebar variant that usesCopilotSidebarView(extendsCopilotChatView)