# Set your username and community profile photo

Written by Geeta Thakker
Updated 2026-10-04

Open your account menu and choose **Account settings** to manage the name, username, and profile photo used in classroom conversations. These settings live at [explainx account settings](https://explainx.ai/dashboard/account) and belong to your account across classrooms.

## Check your username before changing it

explainx assigns one unique `@username` to your account. In **My Profile**, find **Username**. You can change the assigned username **once**, using 3–24 lowercase letters, numbers, or underscores. Reserved or already-taken names cannot be used.

Enter the new username, save your profile, and check the confirmation before accepting the one-time change. Once used, the username field becomes read-only. Your display name is a separate field; changing it does not create a new username.

## Add a recognizable photo

Under **Profile photo**, select **Upload photo** or **Change photo**, choose an image, and wait for the saved result. **Remove** clears the photo. A JPEG, PNG, or WebP image up to 5 MB is a suitable choice.

Your photo appears beside community messages. Choose an image you are comfortable showing to people reading those conversations. Refresh the classroom if an older photo is still displayed.

## Tag a classmate

In a classroom message or thread reply, type `@` and begin their name or username. Choose the matching suggestion before sending. Recognized tags appear highlighted and can create an unread mention and a [notification](/help/articles/community-notifications) for the person.

If someone is missing from suggestions, confirm their username with them. Use the name attached to their profile rather than guessing from an email address. `@everyone` and `@here` are reserved classroom pings for instructors and admins.

## Open a profile card and score

Select a person's name or photo in a classroom message or Members panel. Their card shows their name, username, photo, role, and community score. Where available, **Mention** inserts their username into your message.

The score reflects community contributions such as posts, replies, reactions received, pinned messages, accepted answers, and help comments. Open the score breakdown to see its parts. The Members panel also separates online and offline members. A score does not grant teaching or moderation permissions; see [roles and badges](/help/articles/instructor-roles-and-badges).