# Platform Messaging: an overview

**Category:** [Platform Messaging](https://help.totalctrl.app/hc/totalctrl/totalctrl-help-center/en-US/categories/product-tours)
**Updated:** 2026-08-19

## What is Platform Messaging?

Platform Messaging lets you build in-product onboarding for your own product's users — guided tours, tooltips, hotspots, banners, and onboarding checklists — and deliver them with a small embeddable SDK. It's a self-hosted alternative to tools like Pendo, Appcues, and Userpilot.
### How it works

- **Install the SDK** on your website or app (one script tag).
- **Build flows** in TotalCtrl — drag in steps, point them at elements, set targeting and triggers.
- **Publish** — published flows appear automatically for your users.
- **Measure** completion rates and step-by-step funnels.

### Flow types

- **Tour** — a multi-step walkthrough.
- **Tooltip** — a single message anchored to an element.
- **Hotspot** — a pulsing beacon that opens a tooltip when clicked.
- **Banner** — a top or bottom announcement bar.
- **Checklist** — a persistent list of onboarding tasks.

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## Related Articles

- [Build a tour](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/build-a-tour)
- [Measure performance](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/platform-messaging-analytics)
- [Targeting, triggers, and frequency](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/targeting-triggers-frequency)
- [Onboarding checklists](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/onboarding-checklists)
- [Install the SDK](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/install-the-sdk-1)

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