Overview
RCA ArrowChat is a free Joomla package for sites that already run licensed ArrowChat from ArrowSuites. You install one ZIP and Joomla receives a system plugin, an administrator component, and a staff module that work together on Joomla 4, 5, and 6. Options live in one place, Write bridge keeps ArrowChat’s integration.php aligned with your friend and avatar choices, and your support team can show staff presence in a dock without cutting into the template. ArrowChat itself still comes from ArrowSuites. This package is the maintained Joomla bridge, not the chat product, and RCA is not affiliated with ArrowSuites.
What pkg_rca_arrowchat installs
The package name is pkg_rca_arrowchat. The current documentation line is version 1.0.21 on the free public update feed at https://recreatinganew.com. After a successful install you should see three extensions in System, Manage, Extensions: System - RCA ArrowChat, the RCA ArrowChat component, and the RCA ArrowChat Staff module. If any piece is missing, the install did not finish cleanly and chat will not behave until you fix that.
System - RCA ArrowChat
This system plugin loads ArrowChat on the site frontend when it is enabled. It reads the ArrowChat folder name from component Options only, because path configuration belongs in one place. The plugin also keeps your template css/custom.css last in the CSS cascade so you can style chat chrome without fighting a wall of overrides.
RCA ArrowChat component
The component gives you an administrator dashboard, component Options, status indicators for folder detection, autoload.php, integration.php, options cache, and avatar resolver, and the Write bridge action that rewrites ArrowChat’s integration.php from RCA’s template with your settings baked in.
RCA ArrowChat Staff module
The staff module shows online staff in a Hotline-style viewport dock or an inline list. Colored status rings reflect ArrowChat presence for online, busy, away, and offline. Module parameters cover icon size, custom icon, layout direction, ring colors, and access level so only the audience you intend sees the dock.
What this package is not
This is not ArrowChat licensing, ArrowSuites billing, rooms, credits, or ArrowChat core product configuration. RCA does not ship ArrowChat. You install and license ArrowChat under your site root first, next to Joomla’s index.php. Without that prerequisite, the RCA dashboard cannot find autoload.php and there is nothing useful to bridge.
Who should keep reading
You should keep reading if you hold a real ArrowChat license, you need Joomla 4 through 6 without template surgery to load chat, or your Hotline or support team wants a staff presence dock with honest status rings. If you only wanted a ticket queue, a contact form, or RCA to configure ArrowSuites for you, this is the wrong product and you should stop here.
Where to go next
Use Quick start when ArrowChat is already on disk and you want the shortest path to chat on the frontend. Use Requirements when you are still planning folder layout and server versions. Use Configuration when you are ready to set folder name, friend mode, avatars, Write bridge, and staff module parameters without guessing.