Send Direct Messages — Tutorial

Step-by-step guide to sending single and bulk direct messages on X/Twitter using XActions browser scripts and the Node.js library.

Works on: Browser Console | Node.js (Puppeteer)
Difficulty: Beginner
Time: 2-15 minutes
Requirements: Logged into x.com in your browser

Prerequisites

• Logged into x.com in your browser
• Browser DevTools console (F12 -> Console tab)
• Navigate to https://x.com/messages before running

Quick Start

1. Open x.com and navigate to Messages (https://x.com/messages)
2. Press F12 to open DevTools, then click the Console tab
3. Copy the script from src/sendDirectMessage.js
4. Edit the CONFIG section with your target users and message
5. Paste into the console and press Enter

Configuration

Browser Script (src/sendDirectMessage.js)

const CONFIG = {
  targetUsers: [
    'username1',
    'username2',
    'username3',
  ],
  // Use {username} as placeholder for recipient's name
  messageTemplate: `Hey {username}! Just wanted to connect.`,
  limits: {
    messagesPerSession: 10,       // Max DMs per run
    delayBetweenMessages: 30000,  // 30 seconds between messages
  },
  skipIfAlreadyMessaged: true,    // Skip users you already messaged
  dryRun: true,                   // Set to false to actually send
};

Step-by-Step Guide

Method 1: Browser Script (Single or Bulk DMs)

Step 1 -- Navigate to Messages

Go to https://x.com/messages in your browser.

Step 2 -- Open DevTools

Press F12 (or Cmd+Option+J on Mac) to open the browser console.

Step 3 -- Configure your recipients

Edit the CONFIG in src/sendDirectMessage.js:

const CONFIG = {
  targetUsers: [
    'elonmusk',
    'nichxbt',
  ],
  messageTemplate: `Hey {username}! I saw your recent post and wanted to reach out.`,
  limits: {
    messagesPerSession: 5,
    delayBetweenMessages: 45000,  // 45 seconds for safety
  },
  skipIfAlreadyMessaged: true,
  dryRun: true,  // Start with true to preview
};

Step 4 -- Dry run first

Paste the script and run. You will see output like:

[DRY RUN] Would send to @elonmusk: "Hey elonmusk! I saw your recent post..."
[DRY RUN] Would send to @nichxbt: "Hey nichxbt! I saw your recent post..."

Step 5 -- Send for real

Change dryRun: false and paste again. The script will:

1. Click the "New Message" button
2. Search for each user
3. Select them from results
4. Type and send your personalized message
5. Navigate back and repeat for the next user

Method 2: Node.js Library (src/dmManager.js)

The dmManager.js module provides Puppeteer-based functions for more advanced DM workflows.

Send a single DM:

import { sendDM } from './src/dmManager.js';

// Assumes you have a Puppeteer page already authenticated
const result = await sendDM(page, 'nichxbt', 'Hello from XActions!');
console.log(result);
// { success: true, recipient: 'nichxbt', message: 'Hello from XActions!', timestamp: '...' }

List conversations:

import { getConversations } from './src/dmManager.js';

const { conversations } = await getConversations(page, { limit: 20 });
conversations.forEach(c => {
  console.log(`${c.name}: ${c.lastMessage} (${c.unread ? 'UNREAD' : 'read'})`);
});

Export a conversation:

import { exportConversation } from './src/dmManager.js';

const data = await exportConversation(page, 'https://x.com/messages/12345', { limit: 100 });
console.log(`Exported ${data.count} messages`);

View message requests:

import { getMessageRequests } from './src/dmManager.js';

const { requests } = await getMessageRequests(page);
requests.forEach(r => {
  console.log(`Request from ${r.name}: "${r.preview}"`);
});

Update DM privacy settings:

import { updateDMSettings } from './src/dmManager.js';

await updateDMSettings(page, { allowDMsFrom: 'everyone' });

Tips & Tricks

• Always dry run first. Set dryRun: true and check the console output before sending real messages.
• Use personalization. The {username} placeholder makes messages feel less spammy.
• Increase delays for safety. X rate-limits DMs aggressively. Use at least 30 seconds between messages. For larger batches, 45-60 seconds is safer.
• DM history is tracked. The browser script uses localStorage key xactions_dm_sent to track who you have already messaged, so re-running the script will skip previously messaged users.
• Clear DM history tracking. Run localStorage.removeItem('xactions_dm_sent') in the console to reset the sent history.
• Keep batches small. Limit to 10-20 DMs per session to avoid account restrictions.

Troubleshooting

Related Scripts

• src/groupDM.js -- Create group DM conversations
• src/dmCalls.js -- Start audio/video calls in DMs
• src/encryptedDM.js -- Send encrypted DMs
• src/dmManager.js -- Node.js DM management library (Puppeteer)