diff --git a/docs/example_config.json b/docs/example_config.json
index c26b33c..2ba9e90 100644
--- a/docs/example_config.json
+++ b/docs/example_config.json
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 	},
 	"settings": {
 		"log_level":                  "warn",
+		"message_shortcode_display":  false,
 		"reaction_display":           true,
 		"reaction_shortcode_display": false,
 		"read_receipt_send":          true,
diff --git a/docs/iamb.5.md b/docs/iamb.5.md
index e2c6e73..96043d3 100644
--- a/docs/iamb.5.md
+++ b/docs/iamb.5.md
@@ -53,6 +53,10 @@ overridden as described in *PROFILES*.
 > Specifies the lowest log level that should be shown. Possible values
 > are: _trace_, _debug_, _info_, _warn_, and _error_.
 
+**message_shortcode_display** (type: boolean)
+> Defines whether or not emoji characters in messages should be replaced by
+> their respective shortcodes.
+
 **reaction_display** (type: boolean)
 > Defines whether or not reactions should be shown.
 
diff --git a/src/config.rs b/src/config.rs
index ec634a5..6fb7fba 100644
--- a/src/config.rs
+++ b/src/config.rs
@@ -469,6 +469,7 @@ impl SortOverrides {
 #[derive(Clone)]
 pub struct TunableValues {
     pub log_level: Level,
+    pub message_shortcode_display: bool,
     pub reaction_display: bool,
     pub reaction_shortcode_display: bool,
     pub read_receipt_send: bool,
@@ -489,6 +490,7 @@ pub struct TunableValues {
 #[derive(Clone, Default, Deserialize)]
 pub struct Tunables {
     pub log_level: Option<LogLevel>,
+    pub message_shortcode_display: Option<bool>,
     pub reaction_display: Option<bool>,
     pub reaction_shortcode_display: Option<bool>,
     pub read_receipt_send: Option<bool>,
@@ -511,6 +513,9 @@ impl Tunables {
     fn merge(self, other: Self) -> Self {
         Tunables {
             log_level: self.log_level.or(other.log_level),
+            message_shortcode_display: self
+                .message_shortcode_display
+                .or(other.message_shortcode_display),
             reaction_display: self.reaction_display.or(other.reaction_display),
             reaction_shortcode_display: self
                 .reaction_shortcode_display
@@ -534,6 +539,7 @@ impl Tunables {
     fn values(self) -> TunableValues {
         TunableValues {
             log_level: self.log_level.map(Level::from).unwrap_or(Level::INFO),
+            message_shortcode_display: self.message_shortcode_display.unwrap_or(false),
             reaction_display: self.reaction_display.unwrap_or(true),
             reaction_shortcode_display: self.reaction_shortcode_display.unwrap_or(false),
             read_receipt_send: self.read_receipt_send.unwrap_or(true),
diff --git a/src/message/html.rs b/src/message/html.rs
index 0e8fd2b..6aecf9d 100644
--- a/src/message/html.rs
+++ b/src/message/html.rs
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ impl Table {
         }
     }
 
-    fn to_text(&self, width: usize, style: Style) -> Text {
+    fn to_text(&self, width: usize, style: Style, emoji_shortcodes: bool) -> Text {
         let mut text = Text::default();
         let columns = self.columns();
         let cell_total = width.saturating_sub(columns).saturating_sub(1);
@@ -166,7 +166,8 @@ impl Table {
 
         if let Some(caption) = &self.caption {
             let subw = width.saturating_sub(6);
-            let mut printer = TextPrinter::new(subw, style, true).align(Alignment::Center);
+            let mut printer =
+                TextPrinter::new(subw, style, true, emoji_shortcodes).align(Alignment::Center);
             caption.print(&mut printer, style);
 
             for mut line in printer.finish().lines {
@@ -213,7 +214,7 @@ impl Table {
                                 CellType::Data => style,
                             };
 
-                            cell.to_text(*w, style)
+                            cell.to_text(*w, style, emoji_shortcodes)
                         } else {
                             space_text(*w, style)
                         };
@@ -274,8 +275,8 @@ pub enum StyleTreeNode {
 }
 
 impl StyleTreeNode {
-    pub fn to_text(&self, width: usize, style: Style) -> Text {
-        let mut printer = TextPrinter::new(width, style, true);
+    pub fn to_text(&self, width: usize, style: Style, emoji_shortcodes: bool) -> Text {
+        let mut printer = TextPrinter::new(width, style, true, emoji_shortcodes);
         self.print(&mut printer, style);
         printer.finish()
     }
@@ -428,7 +429,7 @@ impl StyleTreeNode {
                 }
             },
             StyleTreeNode::Table(table) => {
-                let text = table.to_text(width, style);
+                let text = table.to_text(width, style, printer.emoji_shortcodes());
                 printer.push_text(text);
             },
             StyleTreeNode::Break => {
@@ -464,8 +465,14 @@ impl StyleTree {
         return links;
     }
 
-    pub fn to_text(&self, width: usize, style: Style, hide_reply: bool) -> Text<'_> {
-        let mut printer = TextPrinter::new(width, style, hide_reply);
+    pub fn to_text(
+        &self,
+        width: usize,
+        style: Style,
+        hide_reply: bool,
+        emoji_shortcodes: bool,
+    ) -> Text<'_> {
+        let mut printer = TextPrinter::new(width, style, hide_reply, emoji_shortcodes);
 
         for child in self.children.iter() {
             child.print(&mut printer, style);
@@ -805,6 +812,7 @@ pub mod tests {
     use super::*;
     use crate::util::space_span;
     use pretty_assertions::assert_eq;
+    use unicode_width::UnicodeWidthStr;
 
     #[test]
     fn test_header() {
@@ -812,7 +820,7 @@ pub mod tests {
 
         let s = "<h1>Header 1</h1>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines, vec![Line::from(vec![
             Span::styled("#", bold),
             Span::styled(" ", bold),
@@ -824,7 +832,7 @@ pub mod tests {
 
         let s = "<h2>Header 2</h2>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines, vec![Line::from(vec![
             Span::styled("#", bold),
             Span::styled("#", bold),
@@ -837,7 +845,7 @@ pub mod tests {
 
         let s = "<h3>Header 3</h3>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines, vec![Line::from(vec![
             Span::styled("#", bold),
             Span::styled("#", bold),
@@ -851,7 +859,7 @@ pub mod tests {
 
         let s = "<h4>Header 4</h4>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines, vec![Line::from(vec![
             Span::styled("#", bold),
             Span::styled("#", bold),
@@ -866,7 +874,7 @@ pub mod tests {
 
         let s = "<h5>Header 5</h5>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines, vec![Line::from(vec![
             Span::styled("#", bold),
             Span::styled("#", bold),
@@ -882,7 +890,7 @@ pub mod tests {
 
         let s = "<h6>Header 6</h6>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines, vec![Line::from(vec![
             Span::styled("#", bold),
             Span::styled("#", bold),
@@ -909,7 +917,7 @@ pub mod tests {
 
         let s = "<b>Bold!</b>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines, vec![Line::from(vec![
             Span::styled("Bold", bold),
             Span::styled("!", bold),
@@ -918,7 +926,7 @@ pub mod tests {
 
         let s = "<strong>Bold!</strong>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines, vec![Line::from(vec![
             Span::styled("Bold", bold),
             Span::styled("!", bold),
@@ -927,7 +935,7 @@ pub mod tests {
 
         let s = "<i>Italic!</i>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines, vec![Line::from(vec![
             Span::styled("Italic", italic),
             Span::styled("!", italic),
@@ -936,7 +944,7 @@ pub mod tests {
 
         let s = "<em>Italic!</em>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines, vec![Line::from(vec![
             Span::styled("Italic", italic),
             Span::styled("!", italic),
@@ -945,7 +953,7 @@ pub mod tests {
 
         let s = "<del>Strikethrough!</del>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines, vec![Line::from(vec![
             Span::styled("Strikethrough", strike),
             Span::styled("!", strike),
@@ -954,7 +962,7 @@ pub mod tests {
 
         let s = "<strike>Strikethrough!</strike>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines, vec![Line::from(vec![
             Span::styled("Strikethrough", strike),
             Span::styled("!", strike),
@@ -963,7 +971,7 @@ pub mod tests {
 
         let s = "<u>Underline!</u>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines, vec![Line::from(vec![
             Span::styled("Underline", underl),
             Span::styled("!", underl),
@@ -972,7 +980,7 @@ pub mod tests {
 
         let s = "<font color=\"#ff0000\">Red!</u>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines, vec![Line::from(vec![
             Span::styled("Red", red),
             Span::styled("!", red),
@@ -981,7 +989,7 @@ pub mod tests {
 
         let s = "<font color=\"red\">Red!</u>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines, vec![Line::from(vec![
             Span::styled("Red", red),
             Span::styled("!", red),
@@ -993,7 +1001,7 @@ pub mod tests {
     fn test_paragraph() {
         let s = "<p>Hello world!</p><p>Content</p><p>Goodbye world!</p>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(10, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(10, Style::default(), false, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines.len(), 7);
         assert_eq!(
             text.lines[0],
@@ -1020,7 +1028,7 @@ pub mod tests {
     fn test_blockquote() {
         let s = "<blockquote>Hello world!</blockquote>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(10, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(10, Style::default(), false, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines.len(), 2);
         assert_eq!(
             text.lines[0],
@@ -1036,7 +1044,7 @@ pub mod tests {
     fn test_list_unordered() {
         let s = "<ul><li>List Item 1</li><li>List Item 2</li><li>List Item 3</li></ul>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(8, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(8, Style::default(), false, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines.len(), 6);
         assert_eq!(
             text.lines[0],
@@ -1098,7 +1106,7 @@ pub mod tests {
     fn test_list_ordered() {
         let s = "<ol><li>List Item 1</li><li>List Item 2</li><li>List Item 3</li></ol>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(9, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(9, Style::default(), false, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines.len(), 6);
         assert_eq!(
             text.lines[0],
@@ -1168,7 +1176,7 @@ pub mod tests {
                  <tr><td>a</td><td>b</td><td>c</td></tr>\
                  </tbody></table>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(15, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(15, Style::default(), false, false);
         let bold = Style::default().add_modifier(StyleModifier::BOLD);
         assert_eq!(text.lines.len(), 11);
 
@@ -1261,7 +1269,7 @@ pub mod tests {
         let s = "<mx-reply>This was replied to</mx-reply>This is the reply";
 
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(10, Style::default(), false);
+        let text = tree.to_text(10, Style::default(), false, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines.len(), 4);
         assert_eq!(
             text.lines[0],
@@ -1298,7 +1306,7 @@ pub mod tests {
         );
 
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(10, Style::default(), true);
+        let text = tree.to_text(10, Style::default(), true, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines.len(), 2);
         assert_eq!(
             text.lines[0],
@@ -1325,7 +1333,7 @@ pub mod tests {
     fn test_self_closing() {
         let s = "Hello<br>World<br>Goodbye";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(7, Style::default(), true);
+        let text = tree.to_text(7, Style::default(), true, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines.len(), 3);
         assert_eq!(text.lines[0], Line::from(vec![Span::raw("Hello"), Span::raw("  "),]));
         assert_eq!(text.lines[1], Line::from(vec![Span::raw("World"), Span::raw("  "),]));
@@ -1336,7 +1344,7 @@ pub mod tests {
     fn test_embedded_newline() {
         let s = "<p>Hello\nWorld</p>";
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(15, Style::default(), true);
+        let text = tree.to_text(15, Style::default(), true, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines.len(), 1);
         assert_eq!(
             text.lines[0],
@@ -1359,7 +1367,7 @@ pub mod tests {
             "</code></pre>\n"
         );
         let tree = parse_matrix_html(s);
-        let text = tree.to_text(25, Style::default(), true);
+        let text = tree.to_text(25, Style::default(), true, false);
         assert_eq!(text.lines.len(), 5);
         assert_eq!(
             text.lines[0],
@@ -1420,4 +1428,28 @@ pub mod tests {
             ])
         );
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_emoji_shortcodes() {
+        for shortcode in ["exploding_head", "polar_bear", "canada"] {
+            let emoji = emojis::get_by_shortcode(shortcode).unwrap().as_str();
+            let emoji_width = UnicodeWidthStr::width(emoji);
+            let replacement = format!(":{shortcode}:");
+            let replacement_width = UnicodeWidthStr::width(replacement.as_str());
+            let s = format!("<p>{emoji}</p>");
+            let tree = parse_matrix_html(s.as_str());
+            // Test with emojis_shortcodes set to false
+            let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false, false);
+            assert_eq!(text.lines, vec![Line::from(vec![
+                Span::raw(emoji),
+                space_span(20 - emoji_width, Style::default()),
+            ]),]);
+            // Test with emojis_shortcodes set to true
+            let text = tree.to_text(20, Style::default(), false, true);
+            assert_eq!(text.lines, vec![Line::from(vec![
+                Span::raw(replacement.as_str()),
+                space_span(20 - replacement_width, Style::default()),
+            ])]);
+        }
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/message/mod.rs b/src/message/mod.rs
index c7632c1..c17dbce 100644
--- a/src/message/mod.rs
+++ b/src/message/mod.rs
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ use crate::{
     base::RoomInfo,
     config::ApplicationSettings,
     message::html::{parse_matrix_html, StyleTree},
-    util::{space, space_span, take_width, wrapped_text},
+    util::{replace_emojis_in_str, space, space_span, take_width, wrapped_text},
 };
 
 mod html;
@@ -834,7 +834,8 @@ impl Message {
 
         if let Some(r) = &reply {
             let w = width.saturating_sub(2);
-            let mut replied = r.show_msg(w, style, true);
+            let mut replied =
+                r.show_msg(w, style, true, settings.tunables.message_shortcode_display);
             let mut sender = r.sender_span(info, settings);
             let sender_width = UnicodeWidthStr::width(sender.content.as_ref());
             let trailing = w.saturating_sub(sender_width + 1);
@@ -862,7 +863,12 @@ impl Message {
         }
 
         // Now show the message contents, and the inlined reply if we couldn't find it above.
-        let msg = self.show_msg(width, style, reply.is_some());
+        let msg = self.show_msg(
+            width,
+            style,
+            reply.is_some(),
+            settings.tunables.message_shortcode_display,
+        );
         fmt.push_text(msg, style, &mut text);
 
         if text.lines.is_empty() {
@@ -871,7 +877,9 @@ impl Message {
         }
 
         if settings.tunables.reaction_display {
-            let mut emojis = printer::TextPrinter::new(width, style, false);
+            // Pass false for emoji_shortcodes parameter because we handle shortcodes ourselves
+            // before pushing to the printer.
+            let mut emojis = printer::TextPrinter::new(width, style, false, false);
             let mut reactions = 0;
 
             for (key, count) in info.get_reactions(self.event.event_id()).into_iter() {
@@ -917,7 +925,9 @@ impl Message {
 
             if len > 0 {
                 let style = Style::default();
-                let mut threaded = printer::TextPrinter::new(width, style, false).literal(true);
+                let emoji_shortcodes = settings.tunables.message_shortcode_display;
+                let mut threaded =
+                    printer::TextPrinter::new(width, style, false, emoji_shortcodes).literal(true);
                 let len = Span::styled(len.to_string(), style.add_modifier(StyleModifier::BOLD));
                 threaded.push_str(" \u{2937} ", style);
                 threaded.push_span_nobreak(len);
@@ -929,11 +939,20 @@ impl Message {
         text
     }
 
-    pub fn show_msg(&self, width: usize, style: Style, hide_reply: bool) -> Text {
+    pub fn show_msg(
+        &self,
+        width: usize,
+        style: Style,
+        hide_reply: bool,
+        emoji_shortcodes: bool,
+    ) -> Text {
         if let Some(html) = &self.html {
-            html.to_text(width, style, hide_reply)
+            html.to_text(width, style, hide_reply, emoji_shortcodes)
         } else {
             let mut msg = self.event.body();
+            if emoji_shortcodes {
+                msg = Cow::Owned(replace_emojis_in_str(msg.as_ref()));
+            }
 
             if self.downloaded {
                 msg.to_mut().push_str(" \u{2705}");
diff --git a/src/message/printer.rs b/src/message/printer.rs
index 71c9981..e981609 100644
--- a/src/message/printer.rs
+++ b/src/message/printer.rs
@@ -11,7 +11,13 @@ use ratatui::text::{Line, Span, Text};
 use unicode_segmentation::UnicodeSegmentation;
 use unicode_width::UnicodeWidthStr;
 
-use crate::util::{space_span, take_width};
+use crate::util::{
+    replace_emojis_in_line,
+    replace_emojis_in_span,
+    replace_emojis_in_str,
+    space_span,
+    take_width,
+};
 
 /// Wrap styled text for the current terminal width.
 pub struct TextPrinter<'a> {
@@ -19,6 +25,7 @@ pub struct TextPrinter<'a> {
     width: usize,
     base_style: Style,
     hide_reply: bool,
+    emoji_shortcodes: bool,
 
     alignment: Alignment,
     curr_spans: Vec<Span<'a>>,
@@ -28,12 +35,13 @@ pub struct TextPrinter<'a> {
 
 impl<'a> TextPrinter<'a> {
     /// Create a new printer.
-    pub fn new(width: usize, base_style: Style, hide_reply: bool) -> Self {
+    pub fn new(width: usize, base_style: Style, hide_reply: bool, emoji_shortcodes: bool) -> Self {
         TextPrinter {
             text: Text::default(),
             width,
             base_style,
             hide_reply,
+            emoji_shortcodes,
 
             alignment: Alignment::Left,
             curr_spans: vec![],
@@ -59,6 +67,11 @@ impl<'a> TextPrinter<'a> {
         self.hide_reply
     }
 
+    /// Indicates whether emojis should be replaced by shortcodes
+    pub fn emoji_shortcodes(&self) -> bool {
+        self.emoji_shortcodes
+    }
+
     /// Indicates the current printer's width.
     pub fn width(&self) -> usize {
         self.width
@@ -71,6 +84,7 @@ impl<'a> TextPrinter<'a> {
             width: self.width.saturating_sub(indent),
             base_style: self.base_style,
             hide_reply: self.hide_reply,
+            emoji_shortcodes: self.emoji_shortcodes,
 
             alignment: self.alignment,
             curr_spans: vec![],
@@ -164,7 +178,10 @@ impl<'a> TextPrinter<'a> {
     }
 
     /// Push a [Span] that isn't allowed to break across lines.
-    pub fn push_span_nobreak(&mut self, span: Span<'a>) {
+    pub fn push_span_nobreak(&mut self, mut span: Span<'a>) {
+        if self.emoji_shortcodes {
+            replace_emojis_in_span(&mut span);
+        }
         let sw = UnicodeWidthStr::width(span.content.as_ref());
 
         if self.curr_width + sw > self.width {
@@ -200,10 +217,15 @@ impl<'a> TextPrinter<'a> {
                 continue;
             }
 
-            let sw = UnicodeWidthStr::width(word);
+            let cow = if self.emoji_shortcodes {
+                Cow::Owned(replace_emojis_in_str(word))
+            } else {
+                Cow::Borrowed(word)
+            };
+            let sw = UnicodeWidthStr::width(cow.as_ref());
 
             if sw > self.width {
-                self.push_str_wrapped(word, style);
+                self.push_str_wrapped(cow, style);
                 continue;
             }
 
@@ -211,13 +233,13 @@ impl<'a> TextPrinter<'a> {
                 // Word doesn't fit on this line, so start a new one.
                 self.commit();
 
-                if !self.literal && word.chars().all(char::is_whitespace) {
+                if !self.literal && cow.chars().all(char::is_whitespace) {
                     // Drop leading whitespace.
                     continue;
                 }
             }
 
-            let span = Span::styled(word, style);
+            let span = Span::styled(cow, style);
             self.curr_spans.push(span);
             self.curr_width += sw;
         }
@@ -229,14 +251,22 @@ impl<'a> TextPrinter<'a> {
     }
 
     /// Push a [Line] into the printer.
-    pub fn push_line(&mut self, line: Line<'a>) {
+    pub fn push_line(&mut self, mut line: Line<'a>) {
         self.commit();
+        if self.emoji_shortcodes {
+            replace_emojis_in_line(&mut line);
+        }
         self.text.lines.push(line);
     }
 
     /// Push multiline [Text] into the printer.
-    pub fn push_text(&mut self, text: Text<'a>) {
+    pub fn push_text(&mut self, mut text: Text<'a>) {
         self.commit();
+        if self.emoji_shortcodes {
+            for line in &mut text.lines {
+                replace_emojis_in_line(line);
+            }
+        }
         self.text.lines.extend(text.lines);
     }
 
diff --git a/src/tests.rs b/src/tests.rs
index 2a14ad3..08802ed 100644
--- a/src/tests.rs
+++ b/src/tests.rs
@@ -183,6 +183,7 @@ pub fn mock_tunables() -> TunableValues {
     TunableValues {
         default_room: None,
         log_level: Level::INFO,
+        message_shortcode_display: false,
         reaction_display: true,
         reaction_shortcode_display: false,
         read_receipt_send: true,
diff --git a/src/util.rs b/src/util.rs
index 9b0f96c..a11aedc 100644
--- a/src/util.rs
+++ b/src/util.rs
@@ -147,6 +147,28 @@ pub fn join_cell_text<'a>(texts: Vec<(Text<'a>, usize)>, join: Span<'a>, style:
     text
 }
 
+fn replace_emoji_in_grapheme(grapheme: &str) -> String {
+    emojis::get(grapheme)
+        .and_then(|emoji| emoji.shortcode())
+        .map(|shortcode| format!(":{shortcode}:"))
+        .unwrap_or_else(|| grapheme.to_owned())
+}
+
+pub fn replace_emojis_in_str(s: &str) -> String {
+    let graphemes = s.graphemes(true);
+    graphemes.map(replace_emoji_in_grapheme).collect()
+}
+
+pub fn replace_emojis_in_span(span: &mut Span) {
+    span.content = Cow::Owned(replace_emojis_in_str(span.content.as_ref()))
+}
+
+pub fn replace_emojis_in_line(line: &mut Line) {
+    for span in &mut line.spans {
+        replace_emojis_in_span(span);
+    }
+}
+
 #[cfg(test)]
 pub mod tests {
     use super::*;