# Messages Messages are small pieces of data that get passed around between services. They can define an instruction to perform an action, or report that something has just occurred. Messages are sent by a publisher and received by 0 to many subscribers depending on the type of message and if your system requires it to be handled. --- # Agent Instructions: 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: ``` GET https://bus.node-ts.com/guide/messages.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. 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.