The short answer
A client and the crew member on a booking can message each other from 24 hours before the call time. The conversation stays open on the way and through the shift. Afterwards it's read-only. Messages are plain text, up to 2,000 characters. A notification shows the sender's first name and the first 100 characters. Gaffr can message you too, and you can reply.
When can we message each other?
From 24 hours before the call time. Until then, the booking shows when it opens. Gaffr Live says:
"You can message the client from Mon 19 Oct, 08:00."
The Gaffr app says the same with the crew member's first name.
A booking made less than 24 hours before the call opens as soon as someone accepts it. Nothing opens before someone has.
When does it close?
It stays open while the crew member is on the way and during the shift. After the shift it's read-only for both of you. A cancelled booking's conversation is read-only too. Anything already written stays readable.
Who's in the conversation?
The client who booked and the crew member holding the booking. There's one conversation for each booking and crew member.
If a crew member releases a booking, they keep a read-only copy. Whoever takes the booking next starts a new conversation of their own. They don't see the earlier messages.
Where do I find it?
On Home, Messages lists your conversations. A booking you're on also has a button: "Message client" in Gaffr Live, and "Message" with the crew member's first name in the Gaffr app.
An empty conversation isn't listed until it can be written in.
What can a message hold?
Plain text only, from 1 to 2,000 characters. The app counts characters down for the last 200. A message is shown as typed. Links in it aren't opened or fetched.
What does a notification show?
The sender's first name, or "Gaffr" for Gaffr's team, and the first 100 characters of the message. Tapping it opens the conversation.
Can Gaffr message me?
Yes. Gaffr's team can message you in the app. It shows as "Gaffr", never a named person, and you can reply.