> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.intrepidcs.com/vspy-3-documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.intrepidcs.com/vspy-3-documentation/3.9.13/vehicle-spy-main-menus/main-menu-spy-networks/messages-view/messages-view-bottom-toolbar/messages-view-setup.md).

# Messages View Setup

Setup [Messages view](/vspy-3-documentation/3.9.13/vehicle-spy-main-menus/main-menu-spy-networks/messages-view.md) by clicking the **Setup** button (Figure 1) in the [bottom toolbar](/vspy-3-documentation/3.9.13/vehicle-spy-main-menus/main-menu-spy-networks/messages-view/messages-view-bottom-toolbar.md). A setup dialog will open.

![Figure 1: Press the Setup button to open a setup dialog.](https://content.gitbook.com/content/jb1RvXgxzxcqgZdVpbGb/blobs/BTz0amj5g0Hhk9snzUYi/spymintorsetup1.gif)

The setup dialog (Figure 2) is divided into an area labeled **General**, as well as a tabbed area with three different tabs: **Column Setup**, **Custom Dissectors**, and **Fonts and Colors**.

### General

The **Number of Messages in History** specifies how many messages Vehicle Spy can collect before rolling over and overwriting the oldest messages. This setting is used by the [buffer progress display bar](/vspy-3-documentation/3.9.13/vehicle-spy-main-menus/main-menu-spy-networks/messages-view/messages-view-buffer-display/buffer-progress-display.md).

For example, assume the buffer is 10,000 messages. When message 10,001 is received then message 1 is discarded. For much more flexible buffer collection see the [Function Blocks](/vspy-3-documentation/3.9.13/vehicle-spy-main-menus/main-menu-scripting-and-automation/function-blocks.md) feature of Vehicle Spy. The Messages view buffer size is only adjustable when Vehicle Spy is offline.

### Column Setup Tab

For more information on setting up a custom column set, please click [here](/vspy-3-documentation/3.9.13/vehicle-spy-main-menus/main-menu-spy-networks/messages-view/messages-view-column-headers.md).

![Figure 2: The Messages View Setup dialog has General and Column Setup areas.](https://content.gitbook.com/content/jb1RvXgxzxcqgZdVpbGb/blobs/UgWnKdqKwe2ZgRsqy8jq/spymintorsetup2.png)

### Custom Dissectors Tab

Here you can add or remove custom message dissectors written in the Lua scripting language.

### Fonts and Colors Tab

Here you can change the font used for the messages view, as well as the default foreground and background color of the messages view.

* **Font:** Select the desired font. It is recommended to choose a monospaced font such as Consolas, Courier New, Terminal, or System. With other fonts, the message bytes will not be properly aligned in the messages view.
* **Size:** Select the desired font size.
* **Foreground Color:** The default text color in the messages view.
* **Background Color:** The default background color for the messages view.
* **Highlight Bar Color:** The default color for the highlight bar in the messages view.

![Figure 3: The Fonts and Colors tab in the Messages View Setup](https://content.gitbook.com/content/jb1RvXgxzxcqgZdVpbGb/blobs/en9gaALChipho4orWTPU/spymintorsetup3.png)


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.intrepidcs.com/vspy-3-documentation/3.9.13/vehicle-spy-main-menus/main-menu-spy-networks/messages-view/messages-view-bottom-toolbar/messages-view-setup.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.