A method for adding a customizable reply function to an interface in an instant messaging (IM) client, including the steps of identifying a string of characters to be associated with the reply function, choosing an action of the IM client to be associated with the reply function, selecting presentation characteristics of a representation of the reply function in the interface of the IM client, and incorporating the reply function into the interface of the IM client, where a subsequent user selection of the incorporated representation of the reply function in the IM client interface instructs the IM client to output the string of characters associated with the reply function and to perform an action associated with the reply function.