A communication application displays a modality view that may be one of a collaboration, a gallery, or a messaging view on a conversation canvas. The application may display an initial view according a modality selection by the user. A user is enabled to select a next view from the set by providing a user action such as a tap, swipe action, etc. The application dynamically generates the next modality view according to the initial view. Common participants and common contexts are used to configure the next view. Subsequent to configuration, the application displays the next modality view on the conversation canvas by transitioning from the initial view. The application retains session information from the initial view to restore the initial view session if the user selects to return to the initial view.