> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.ada.cx/2026-08-06-conversations-api-markdown/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.ada.cx/_mcp/server.

# Conversations API: opt-in Markdown formatting for custom channels

Channels in the Conversations API now carry a `capabilities` field that declares what the channel's surface can render, and the AI Agent tailors its replies to match. `markdown` is the first capability: a channel that opts in receives replies written with bold, italics, and inline links instead of plain prose.

Capabilities are disabled by default, so existing channels are unaffected until they opt in. Set `capabilities` when creating a channel with `POST /v2/channels`, or change it on an existing channel with the new `PATCH /v2/channels/{channel_id}` endpoint. Native channels expose `capabilities` as read-only, derived from their surface.

Enable `markdown` only if your channel's UI renders it; otherwise end users see the raw syntax. For setup steps, example payloads, and rendering guidance, see [Creating a custom channel](/reference/conversations/developer-guides/creating-a-custom-channel#declare-channel-capabilities).