Goal references give work a short, recognizable label such as VS-42. You can see the same reference on its board card, backlog row, and article, then use it to bring the right goal into a Chat conversation.
A reference selected through the Chat picker follows the goal even when its label changes. Simply typing a label as ordinary text does not create that lasting connection.
Read The Label
The key identifies the space's chosen namespace; the number identifies a goal within that space. Two spaces can both use VS and have their own goal 42. The space matters as much as the short label.
Open a goal to read its context and review its status without losing the board.
Spaces without a key still number their goals. Their references include the space handle, such as visual-space/42, and remain available through the general /goal picker.
Choose A Space Key
Visual Space suggests a key from the space name. When a space manager first creates a goal with an unconfirmed suggestion, Confirm your goal key lets them accept it, change it, or clear it. Confirming resumes the original creation. Someone who can create goals but cannot manage the space is not blocked by this settings decision.
Space managers can later change the key in Space Settings > About. A key:
Letters are converted to uppercase. G2 works; 2G, G-2, and a single letter do not. Clearing the field turns off the short key without disabling Goals.
Find A Goal While Writing
Use one of these shortcuts in the Chat message field:
Keyed shortcuts require uppercase letters. /vs- does not open the keyed picker. When several joined spaces share a key, Choose a space appears first; choose by name and handle before selecting a goal.
Check the space, goal label, and title before inserting the reference.
Use the Up and Down Arrow keys to change the highlight, Enter or Tab to accept it, and Escape to close the picker. Choosing a space advances to its goals. Choosing a goal inserts the reference into your message; you can then finish the sentence and send it normally.
Share a goal in Chat follows that process through to opening the shared result.
What Happens After A Change?
Selected references keep following the same goal:
You do not need to repost an existing selected reference. However, typing an old label later is not guaranteed to find the same goal; old labels are not permanent aliases.
References also follow the reader's current access. When a goal has been deleted or is no longer accessible, the message shows the same non-clickable Goal unavailable label. Sharing it does not grant membership or reveal an inaccessible goal's title and location.
Common Questions
Must our key be unique across Visual Space?
No. The picker resolves the joined space before choosing the goal.
Why use the picker instead of writing VS-42?
The selected reference remembers the intended goal and can open its current location. Ordinary text only records the letters you typed.
Can I share a goal without a short key?
Yes. Type /goal, choose its space, and select the goal. Its visible label uses the space handle and number.
Why can a recipient not open my reference?
They may lack access to the owning area, or the goal may no longer exist. A message does not override those boundaries.