@intercom/messenger-js-sdk - SDK Cant update conversation attributes | Community
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@intercom/messenger-js-sdk - SDK Cant update conversation attributes

  • May 22, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 126 views
J
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Hi,

I’m using the Intercom Messenger SDK in a React application and I’m trying to pass contextual data onto the conversation as conversation attributes.

For example, I want to set values such as:

  • workspace_name
  • workspace_id
  • current_url
  • subscription_plan
  • item_id
  • item_title
  • item_url

These values are specific to the conversation the user is starting, as a user may be in different workspaces or different parts of the application at different times, so storing this as user attributes is not appropriate because the values can change from conversation to conversation.

Fin suggested updating user attributes via the SDK, but that does not solve the problem for us. We need the data attached to the conversation itself, so it can be used reliably in Workflows, Inbox, and downstream connectors.

It feels like the Messenger SDK should support setting conversation attributes when opening or creating a conversation. I’d prefer not to make a separate REST API call to update the conversation after it has been created, especially when the SDK is already responsible for starting the conversation.

Is there currently any supported way to pass conversation attributes from the Messenger SDK? If not, is there another recommended approach that avoids using the REST API to update the conversation separately?

Best answer by Sean Meade Forum Support Lead

Hi ​@James Miller, Seán here from the Fin technical support team 👋

Thanks for raising this. This is currently a product limitation, at the moment, there isn’t a supported way to pass conversation attributes directly through the Messenger SDK/JavaScript API when starting a conversation. The public Messenger methods support things like opening the Messenger, starting a conversation, and updating contact data, but those extra fields are treated as contact/user attributes rather than conversation attributes.

If you need the data to live on the conversation itself for use in Workflows, Inbox, and downstream connectors, the supported options today are either to collect or infer conversation data attributes with Workflows at conversation start, or to update the conversation via the REST API once it has been created.

That said, we always love hearing what our customers want, and the best place to share feedback like this is our Community Product Wishlist. I'd recommend searching there first to see if a similar request already exists, and if it does you can upvote it or add your comments. If not, you can create a new one here: Product Wishlist.

2 replies

S
Intercom Team
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Hi ​@James Miller, Seán here from the Fin technical support team 👋

Thanks for raising this. This is currently a product limitation, at the moment, there isn’t a supported way to pass conversation attributes directly through the Messenger SDK/JavaScript API when starting a conversation. The public Messenger methods support things like opening the Messenger, starting a conversation, and updating contact data, but those extra fields are treated as contact/user attributes rather than conversation attributes.

If you need the data to live on the conversation itself for use in Workflows, Inbox, and downstream connectors, the supported options today are either to collect or infer conversation data attributes with Workflows at conversation start, or to update the conversation via the REST API once it has been created.

That said, we always love hearing what our customers want, and the best place to share feedback like this is our Community Product Wishlist. I'd recommend searching there first to see if a similar request already exists, and if it does you can upvote it or add your comments. If not, you can create a new one here: Product Wishlist.

    J
    Forum|alt.badge.img
    • James Miller
    • Author
    • New Participant
    • June 11, 2026

    Hi ​@James Miller, Seán here from the Fin technical support team 👋

    Thanks for raising this. This is currently a product limitation, at the moment, there isn’t a supported way to pass conversation attributes directly through the Messenger SDK/JavaScript API when starting a conversation. The public Messenger methods support things like opening the Messenger, starting a conversation, and updating contact data, but those extra fields are treated as contact/user attributes rather than conversation attributes.

    If you need the data to live on the conversation itself for use in Workflows, Inbox, and downstream connectors, the supported options today are either to collect or infer conversation data attributes with Workflows at conversation start, or to update the conversation via the REST API once it has been created.

    That said, we always love hearing what our customers want, and the best place to share feedback like this is our Community Product Wishlist. I'd recommend searching there first to see if a similar request already exists, and if it does you can upvote it or add your comments. If not, you can create a new one here: Product Wishlist.

     

    Thanks for the reply, I’ve been informed that the user attributes don’t update on each conversation, so if I were to update the attributes on one conversation, and on another, they’d not update on the previous conversations they’ve had, is this correct?

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