# How Oysterun Opens Links in Messages

This guide helps you predict what happens when a message, markdown preview, or mail item contains a link. Use it when a link opens in a preview, opens a folder, opens a Website page, opens an external web page, or stays as plain text.

Oysterun keeps the visible message text readable first. A link only becomes clickable when Oysterun can identify a supported target and open it through the right surface.

## Before You Start

Start from an Oysterun conversation, mail item, or markdown preview where the linked text is already visible.

You need:

- access to the Host that owns the conversation or preview
- a visible message that contains a web link, Website link, file path, folder path, or markdown link
- permission to open the linked file, folder, or Website page if the link points to Host-owned content

If the message refers to a local file or folder, Oysterun must be able to match that path to a known file or folder on the Host. A path from another computer, an unreadable location, or a path without enough surrounding context may stay as plain text.

## Open A Link

1. Find the visible linked text in the message or preview.
2. Select the link once.
3. Watch where Oysterun opens the target.

You should see one of these results:

- a file opens in File Preview
- a folder opens in Explorer
- a Website page opens in the in-app browser
- an external web page opens through your normal browser policy
- the text remains plain text when Oysterun cannot safely open it

## File And Folder Paths

File and folder paths are treated cautiously because they may expose private locations.

When Oysterun recognizes a file path, the message shows a readable label first. The first selection may reveal the full path so you can confirm the target. Selecting the revealed target opens the file in File Preview.

When Oysterun recognizes a folder path, the first selection may reveal the full path. Selecting the revealed target opens the folder in Explorer.

Success checkpoint: the opened File Preview or Explorer view should match the file or folder named by the message. If the path stays as text, Oysterun did not have a safe, known target to open.

## Website Links

Links to Oysterun Website pages open inside Oysterun when the target belongs to the current Host and the page is available to you.

Success checkpoint: the in-app browser should show the Website page instead of a raw file path or an unsupported-route message.

If the Website page is private or unavailable, Oysterun may show an access message or leave the target unavailable. That is expected when your current session does not have permission for the page.

## Web Links

Regular web links use the browser behavior configured for your Oysterun environment.

Success checkpoint: the selected web link should open as a web page, not as a local file or folder. If your browser blocks the page, use the browser's own security message to decide whether to continue.

## Markdown Links

Markdown links keep their human-readable label when Oysterun can safely use the target. For example, a message may show a short label while the target is a web page, Website page, file, or folder.

Success checkpoint: selecting the label opens the same kind of target described in the sections above. If the target is not supported or cannot be verified, Oysterun keeps the visible text readable and avoids unsafe navigation.

## When Text Does Not Become A Link

Oysterun may leave text unlinked when:

- the target file or folder does not exist for the current Host
- the current conversation does not provide enough context for a relative path
- the target is outside the locations the Host can safely open
- the Website page is not available to the current user
- the text is part of a tool result, diagnostic detail, or other content that should stay readable instead of becoming an action

This protects the message from sending you to the wrong place or exposing private paths as clickable controls.

## Recover When A Link Does Not Open

If a link stays as plain text or opens the wrong kind of page:

1. Confirm that the file, folder, Website page, or web address still exists.
2. Ask the sender or agent for the full intended target if the message only gave a short or relative path.
3. Open File Preview, Explorer, or the Website page manually when you already know the correct target.
4. Retry from the original message after the target is available.

Expected result: once Oysterun can identify a supported target, the same visible text opens through File Preview, Explorer, the in-app browser, or your configured external browser path. If it still stays plain text, treat it as unsupported for that message and use a manual route.