Five messengers in the sidebar are easy to find — they all fit on screen at once. Twenty-five already require scrolling, and picking the right one out of similar icons takes a few seconds every single time. Users with dozens of connected services — agencies, franchises, support teams — run into this regularly, and Centrio has two independent tools built specifically for it: folders and workspaces.
The difference between them is fundamental. A folder is a container: a messenger physically “lives” inside one folder, like a file in a directory. A workspace is a filter layered on top of folders: it doesn't store messengers, it decides which folders and tabs to show right now and which to temporarily hide.
Folders: basic grouping
1. Create a folder. Right-click an empty area of the sidebar → “New Folder.” Give it a name and pick an icon — by client or line of work, for example.
2. Drag messengers into it. You can drag a messenger into a folder with the mouse, or right-click → “Move to Folder” → pick the one you want. A folder collapses and expands with a click on its header.
3. Set up the unread badge. A collapsed folder shows the combined unread count across every messenger inside it — no need to expand each one to see where new messages are.
Workspaces: a filter layered on folders
1. Enable the plugin. Settings → Extensions → “Workspaces.” This is a Pro feature, off by default — turned on with a single toggle.
2. Create a workspace. In the workspace switcher (the grid icon in the sidebar), click “New Workspace,” give it a name and pick an icon.
3. Assign folders to a workspace. Open a folder's settings (“Rename”) and pick a workspace from the list at the bottom — or assign a messenger directly through its “Move to Workspace” context menu if it isn't sitting in a folder.
4. Switch with one click. Clicking a workspace icon in the sidebar shows only what's been added to it. The “All” mode clears the filter and brings back the full list.
Where this actually pays off
Agencies and freelancers with multiple clients. A dedicated workspace per client — its own messengers, its own task folder, less visual clutter; you still need to double-check the account and recipient.
Franchises and multi-branch businesses. A workspace per branch or region — a manager switches between cities without scrolling through one combined list of fifty tabs.
Separating personal and work. Two workspaces — “Work” and “Personal” — with shared notifications (an important message never gets missed) but separate sidebar views.
Seasonal or short-term projects. Set up a workspace for a project, and when it wraps up, just switch to “All” without deleting anything. The messengers stay put; the workspace can be deleted or reused later.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a folder and a workspace?
A folder is a container that visually groups messengers; folders are a Pro feature. A workspace is a Pro plugin layered on top of folders: a filter that shows only a chosen set of folders and messengers while temporarily hiding the rest.
Do notifications stop for messengers hidden in an inactive workspace?
No. Notifications and unread counters are shared across all workspaces — the workspace filter only affects what's visible in the sidebar, not which messages arrive.
Can I add one messenger to several folders at once?
No, a messenger lives in at most one folder — like a file in a file system. But a folder can only be linked to one workspace, while a messenger outside any folder can be assigned directly to any workspace.
What happens to messengers that aren't assigned anywhere?
They're always visible, no matter which workspace is active — the workspace filter only adds a restriction for items explicitly included in it, and never hides anything unassigned.
Do I need a Pro subscription for folders?
Folders are a paid feature — unavailable entirely on the Free plan, as are workspaces. Pro removes both limits.
A folder doesn't create a shared chat
Folders and workspaces organize tabs. They don't merge history across different services, give a colleague access to an account, or replace roles in a CRM.
If every client writes into the same Telegram account, a Centrio folder won't split its chats into independent accounts. Organizing separate conversations inside that one account is something you set up in Telegram itself.
Try Centrio with your own workflow
Folders and workspaces are available on Centrio's Pro plan. Free includes up to 3 services. Pro is billed in RUB: 199 ₽ per month or 1,590 ₽ per year.