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Expand Your Rep AI Chat to Fullscreen on Desktop

Updated

Overview

Your Rep AI chat widget includes a fullscreen mode on desktop that lets shoppers expand their chat experience to fill their entire browser window. This creates a more immersive shopping experience, making it easier for customers to browse products, read detailed information, and have extended conversations with your AI assistant.

What Fullscreen Mode Does

When customers expand your Rep AI chat to fullscreen on desktop, they get:

  • More screen real estate for viewing product recommendations and images

  • Better readability for detailed product information and conversations

  • Easier multitasking within the chat without losing context

  • A more focused shopping experience similar to dedicated shopping apps

  • Conversation history — a side panel where shoppers can view and continue past conversations

The fullscreen mode is designed to feel natural and professional, with smooth animations when expanding and collapsing between views.

Choose the Default View for Desktop Visitors

You can control how the chat widget opens for first-time desktop visitors — either as a regular chat box or in fullscreen mode.

This is useful if you want your AI assistant to feel front-and-center from the start (fullscreen), or if you prefer a lighter, less intrusive experience (regular chat box).

How it works:

  • New visitors see whichever view you choose as the default.

  • Returning visitors keep whatever view they last selected — your default only applies the first time.

  • If you don't change this setting, the chat opens as a regular chat box by default.

How to Set the Default Open Mode

  1. Go to Settings > Chat Widget in your Rep AI Console.

  2. Look for the Desktop default open mode option.

  3. Choose one of the two options:

    • Chat Box — The chat opens as a compact window in the corner of the page. Best for stores where you want the chat available without interrupting browsing.

    • Full Screen — The chat opens expanded to fill the browser window. Best for stores where the AI assistant is a central part of the shopping experience.

  4. Click Save.

The change takes effect immediately for any new visitor who hasn't used your chat before.

Control Fullscreen Mode with JavaScript

If you want more precise control over when the chat opens in fullscreen — for example, on specific pages or after certain customer actions — you can use the fullScreenEnabled JavaScript function directly on your website.

This is useful when:

  • You want fullscreen chat on certain pages (like a dedicated support page) but not others

  • You want to trigger fullscreen based on customer behavior (e.g., after clicking a "Chat with us" button)

  • You need to switch between fullscreen and regular chat mode dynamically

Note: This function overrides any existing fullscreen state, including the default open mode you set in the Console and any preference the shopper previously selected.

How to Use It

Add the following code to your website where you want to control the chat mode:

To open the chat in fullscreen:

window.rep?.on?.('onceLoad', function() { window.rep.fullScreenEnabled(true); });

To switch back to the regular chat box:

window.rep.fullScreenEnabled(false);

Tips

  • Wait for the widget to load — If you're calling this when the page first loads, wrap it in the onceLoad event (as shown above) to make sure the Rep AI widget is ready.

  • Safe to call multiple times — Calling fullScreenEnabled(true) when the chat is already in fullscreen won't cause any issues. The same applies to calling fullScreenEnabled(false) when it's already in regular mode.

  • Works alongside Console settings — You can still set a default open mode in the Console. The JavaScript function simply overrides it when called.

  • Desktop only — On mobile devices, the chat already fills the screen by default, so this function has no visible effect.

Example: Fullscreen Chat on a Specific Page

If you want the chat to open in fullscreen only on your "Contact Us" page, add this code to that page:

window.rep?.on?.('onceLoad', function() { window.rep.fullScreenEnabled(true); });

On all other pages, the chat will use whatever default you've set in the Console.

Conversation History — Let Shoppers Pick Up Where They Left Off

When shoppers use your chat in fullscreen mode on desktop, they can see their recent conversations in a side panel and pick up right where they left off. Instead of starting over every time they return to your store, customers can view past chats and continue any previous conversation — keeping all the context, product recommendations, and information from before.

What Shoppers See

A Recent Conversations panel appears on the left side of the fullscreen chat. From there, shoppers can:

  • Browse recent conversations — See a list of their past chats, with the most recent ones first.

  • Read past transcripts — Open any previous conversation to review what was discussed, including product recommendations, answers, and links shared.

  • Continue a conversation — Start typing a new message in any past conversation to pick it up where it was left off. The AI remembers the full context of that chat, so the experience feels seamless.

How It Works for Shoppers

  1. A shopper opens your chat widget in fullscreen mode on desktop.

  2. The Recent Conversations panel appears on the left side, showing their past chats.

  3. They can tap any conversation to read the full transcript.

  4. To continue a past conversation, they simply start typing a new message — the AI picks up with full context from that chat.

There's no login required. The system securely recognizes returning shoppers on the same device and browser, so the experience is automatic.

Why This Matters for Your Store

Shoppers don't always buy on the first visit. Many return multiple times before making a purchase decision. With conversation history:

  • Returning shoppers feel recognized — They don't have to re-explain what they're looking for.

  • Product research carries over — Recommendations, comparisons, and answers from previous visits are still there when they come back.

  • Higher conversion from return visits — Customers who can seamlessly continue shopping conversations are more likely to complete a purchase.

  • Longer, richer engagement — Shoppers spend more time interacting with your AI when past context isn't lost.

Good to Know About Conversation History

  • Desktop fullscreen only — Conversation history appears in the fullscreen desktop experience. It does not appear in the regular compact chat box or on mobile.

  • Same device and browser — History is tied to the shopper's device and browser. If they switch to a different device or clear their browser data, past conversations won't appear.

  • Recent conversations — The panel shows conversations from the last 30 days, with a maximum of 50 past chats.

  • Automatic and always on — There's no setting you need to enable. If your store uses fullscreen mode on desktop, conversation history is available to shoppers automatically.

  • Privacy-safe — Conversation history is securely linked to the individual shopper's device. Other shoppers on different devices cannot see someone else's conversations.

Troubleshooting Conversation History

Shoppers say they don't see their past conversations

This can happen if they switched to a different browser, cleared their browser data, or are using a different device. Conversation history is tied to the specific browser and device the shopper used for their original chats.

The conversation history panel doesn't appear

Conversation history only appears in fullscreen mode on desktop. If the shopper is using the compact chat box, they need to expand to fullscreen first. If fullscreen mode isn't available, check that it's enabled in your Chat Widget settings.

Why This Matters for Your Store

Fullscreen chat mode benefits your customers and your business:

  • Increased engagement: Customers spend more time exploring when they have a comfortable viewing experience

  • Better product discovery: Larger space makes product carousels and images more appealing

  • Higher confidence: Extended conversations with more room lead to better-informed purchase decisions

  • Professional appearance: Smooth transitions and modern design create trust in your brand

  • Reduced friction: Customers don't need to leave your site or switch tabs to get detailed help

Good to Know

  • This setting only affects desktop visitors. Mobile behavior is not changed.

  • If a shopper switches between fullscreen and regular chat box during their visit, that choice is remembered for their future visits — your default won't override it.

  • Existing visitors who have already used your chat are not affected by changing this setting.

  • You can also control fullscreen mode programmatically using JavaScript — see "Control Fullscreen Mode with JavaScript" above.

Need More Help?

If you have questions about your chat widget's behavior or appearance, contact our support team or use the Rep AI Helper in your Console for immediate assistance.

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