diff --git a/src/__tests__/chat-settings.spec.ts b/src/__tests__/chat-settings.spec.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index d265c77..0000000
--- a/src/__tests__/chat-settings.spec.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,63 +0,0 @@
-import { minifyPatchObject } from '../components/settings/minify';
-
-const COMPLEX_OBJECT = {
-  primitive: 0,
-  array: ['a'],
-  object: { nested: { field: 0 } }
-};
-
-describe('minifyPatchObject', () => {
-  test('returns empty object if patch is identical', () => {
-    const obj = COMPLEX_OBJECT;
-    const patch = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(obj));
-
-    expect(minifyPatchObject(obj, patch)).toEqual({});
-  });
-
-  test('returns empty object if patch is empty', () => {
-    expect(minifyPatchObject(COMPLEX_OBJECT, {})).toEqual({});
-  });
-
-  test('returns patch if object is empty', () => {
-    expect(minifyPatchObject({}, COMPLEX_OBJECT)).toEqual(COMPLEX_OBJECT);
-  });
-
-  test('should remove unchanged props from patch', () => {
-    const obj = {
-      unchanged: 'foo',
-      changed: 'bar',
-      nested: {
-        unchanged: 'foo',
-        changed: 'bar'
-      }
-    };
-    const patch = {
-      unchanged: 'foo',
-      changed: 'baz',
-      nested: {
-        unchanged: 'foo',
-        changed: 'baz'
-      }
-    };
-
-    expect(minifyPatchObject(obj, patch)).toEqual({
-      changed: 'baz',
-      nested: {
-        changed: 'baz'
-      }
-    });
-  });
-
-  test('defers to patch object when property types mismatch', () => {
-    const obj = {
-      api_keys: ['ANTHROPIC_API_KEY']
-    };
-    const patch = {
-      api_keys: {
-        OPENAI_API_KEY: 'foobar'
-      }
-    };
-
-    expect(minifyPatchObject(obj, patch)).toEqual(patch);
-  });
-});
diff --git a/src/components/chat-input.tsx b/src/components/chat-input.tsx
index 22fe899..cd66ce6 100644
--- a/src/components/chat-input.tsx
+++ b/src/components/chat-input.tsx
@@ -10,15 +10,7 @@ import {
 } from '@mui/material';
 import SendIcon from '@mui/icons-material/Send';
 
-type ChatInputProps = {
-  value: string;
-  onChange: (newValue: string) => unknown;
-  onSend: () => unknown;
-  sendWithShiftEnter: boolean;
-  sx?: SxProps<Theme>;
-};
-
-export function ChatInput(props: ChatInputProps): JSX.Element {
+export function ChatInput(props: ChatInput.IProps): JSX.Element {
   function handleKeyDown(event: React.KeyboardEvent<HTMLInputElement>) {
     if (
       event.key === 'Enter' &&
@@ -77,3 +69,19 @@ export function ChatInput(props: ChatInputProps): JSX.Element {
     </Box>
   );
 }
+
+/**
+ * The chat input namespace.
+ */
+export namespace ChatInput {
+  /**
+   * The properties of the react element.
+   */
+  export interface IProps {
+    value: string;
+    onChange: (newValue: string) => unknown;
+    onSend: () => unknown;
+    sendWithShiftEnter: boolean;
+    sx?: SxProps<Theme>;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/components/chat-messages.tsx b/src/components/chat-messages.tsx
index 02953dc..880388f 100644
--- a/src/components/chat-messages.tsx
+++ b/src/components/chat-messages.tsx
@@ -4,14 +4,14 @@ import type { SxProps, Theme } from '@mui/material';
 import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
 
 import { RendermimeMarkdown } from './rendermime-markdown';
-import { ChatService } from '../services';
+import { IChatMessage, IUser } from '../types';
 
 type ChatMessagesProps = {
   rmRegistry: IRenderMimeRegistry;
-  messages: ChatService.IChatMessage[];
+  messages: IChatMessage[];
 };
 
-export type ChatMessageHeaderProps = ChatService.IUser & {
+export type ChatMessageHeaderProps = IUser & {
   timestamp: string;
   sx?: SxProps<Theme>;
 };
diff --git a/src/components/chat-settings.tsx b/src/components/chat-settings.tsx
deleted file mode 100644
index 0949882..0000000
--- a/src/components/chat-settings.tsx
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,158 +0,0 @@
-import { Box } from '@mui/system';
-import {
-  Alert,
-  Button,
-  FormControl,
-  FormControlLabel,
-  FormLabel,
-  Radio,
-  RadioGroup,
-  CircularProgress
-} from '@mui/material';
-import React, { useEffect, useState } from 'react';
-
-import { useStackingAlert } from './mui-extras/stacking-alert';
-import { ServerInfoState, useServerInfo } from './settings/use-server-info';
-import { minifyUpdate } from './settings/minify';
-import { ChatService } from '../services';
-
-/**
- * Component that returns the settings view in the chat panel.
- */
-export function ChatSettings(): JSX.Element {
-  // state fetched on initial render
-  const server = useServerInfo();
-
-  // initialize alert helper
-  const alert = useStackingAlert();
-
-  const [sendWse, setSendWse] = useState<boolean>(false);
-
-  // whether the form is currently saving
-  const [saving, setSaving] = useState(false);
-
-  /**
-   * Effect: initialize inputs after fetching server info.
-   */
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (server.state !== ServerInfoState.Ready) {
-      return;
-    }
-    setSendWse(server.config.send_with_shift_enter);
-  }, [server]);
-
-  const handleSave = async () => {
-    // compress fields with JSON values
-    if (server.state !== ServerInfoState.Ready) {
-      return;
-    }
-
-    let updateRequest: ChatService.UpdateConfigRequest = {
-      send_with_shift_enter: sendWse
-    };
-    updateRequest = minifyUpdate(server.config, updateRequest);
-    updateRequest.last_read = server.config.last_read;
-
-    setSaving(true);
-    try {
-      await ChatService.updateConfig(updateRequest);
-    } catch (e) {
-      console.error(e);
-      const msg =
-        e instanceof Error || typeof e === 'string'
-          ? e.toString()
-          : 'An unknown error occurred. Check the console for more details.';
-      alert.show('error', msg);
-      return;
-    } finally {
-      setSaving(false);
-    }
-    await server.refetchAll();
-    alert.show('success', 'Settings saved successfully.');
-  };
-
-  if (server.state === ServerInfoState.Loading) {
-    return (
-      <Box
-        sx={{
-          width: '100%',
-          height: '100%',
-          boxSizing: 'border-box',
-          display: 'flex',
-          alignItems: 'center',
-          justifyContent: 'space-around'
-        }}
-      >
-        <CircularProgress />
-      </Box>
-    );
-  }
-
-  if (server.state === ServerInfoState.Error) {
-    return (
-      <Box
-        sx={{
-          width: '100%',
-          height: '100%',
-          padding: 4,
-          boxSizing: 'border-box'
-        }}
-      >
-        <Alert severity="error">
-          {server.error ||
-            'An unknown error occurred. Check the console for more details.'}
-        </Alert>
-      </Box>
-    );
-  }
-
-  return (
-    <Box
-      sx={{
-        padding: '0 12px 12px',
-        boxSizing: 'border-box',
-        '& .MuiAlert-root': {
-          marginTop: 2
-        },
-        overflowY: 'auto'
-      }}
-    >
-      {/* Input */}
-      <h2 className="jp-chat-SettingsHeader">Input</h2>
-      <FormControl>
-        <FormLabel id="send-radio-buttons-group-label">
-          When writing a message, press <kbd>Enter</kbd> to:
-        </FormLabel>
-        <RadioGroup
-          aria-labelledby="send-radio-buttons-group-label"
-          value={sendWse ? 'newline' : 'send'}
-          name="send-radio-buttons-group"
-          onChange={e => {
-            setSendWse(e.target.value === 'newline');
-          }}
-        >
-          <FormControlLabel
-            value="send"
-            control={<Radio />}
-            label="Send the message"
-          />
-          <FormControlLabel
-            value="newline"
-            control={<Radio />}
-            label={
-              <>
-                Start a new line (use <kbd>Shift</kbd>+<kbd>Enter</kbd> to send)
-              </>
-            }
-          />
-        </RadioGroup>
-      </FormControl>
-      <Box sx={{ display: 'flex', justifyContent: 'flex-end' }}>
-        <Button variant="contained" onClick={handleSave} disabled={saving}>
-          {saving ? 'Saving...' : 'Save changes'}
-        </Button>
-      </Box>
-      {alert.jsx}
-    </Box>
-  );
-}
diff --git a/src/components/chat.tsx b/src/components/chat.tsx
index e593f42..42a7ff6 100644
--- a/src/components/chat.tsx
+++ b/src/components/chat.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-import type { IThemeManager } from '@jupyterlab/apputils';
 import { IRenderMimeRegistry } from '@jupyterlab/rendermime';
 import ArrowBackIcon from '@mui/icons-material/ArrowBack';
 import SettingsIcon from '@mui/icons-material/Settings';
@@ -9,10 +8,10 @@ import React, { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
 import { JlThemeProvider } from './jl-theme-provider';
 import { ChatMessages } from './chat-messages';
 import { ChatInput } from './chat-input';
-import { ChatSettings } from './chat-settings';
 import { ScrollContainer } from './scroll-container';
 import { IChatModel } from '../model';
-import { ChatService } from '../services';
+import { IChatMessage, IMessage } from '../types';
+import { IThemeManager } from '@jupyterlab/apputils';
 
 type ChatBodyProps = {
   chatModel: IChatModel;
@@ -23,22 +22,13 @@ function ChatBody({
   chatModel,
   rmRegistry: renderMimeRegistry
 }: ChatBodyProps): JSX.Element {
-  const [messages, setMessages] = useState<ChatService.IChatMessage[]>([]);
+  const [messages, setMessages] = useState<IChatMessage[]>([]);
   const [input, setInput] = useState('');
-  const [sendWithShiftEnter, setSendWithShiftEnter] = useState(true);
 
   /**
    * Effect: fetch history and config on initial render
    */
   useEffect(() => {
-    async function getConfig() {
-      ChatService.getConfig()
-        .then(config =>
-          setSendWithShiftEnter(config.send_with_shift_enter ?? false)
-        )
-        .catch(e => console.error(e));
-    }
-
     async function fetchHistory() {
       if (!chatModel.getHistory) {
         return;
@@ -49,7 +39,6 @@ function ChatBody({
         .catch(e => console.error(e));
     }
 
-    getConfig();
     fetchHistory();
   }, [chatModel]);
 
@@ -57,14 +46,13 @@ function ChatBody({
    * Effect: listen to chat messages
    */
   useEffect(() => {
-    function handleChatEvents(_: IChatModel, message: ChatService.IMessage) {
-      if (message.type === 'connection') {
-        return;
-      } else if (message.type === 'clear') {
+    function handleChatEvents(_: IChatModel, message: IMessage) {
+      if (message.type === 'clear') {
         setMessages([]);
         return;
+      } else if (message.type === 'msg') {
+        setMessages(messageGroups => [...messageGroups, message]);
       }
-      setMessages(messageGroups => [...messageGroups, message]);
     }
 
     chatModel.incomingMessage.connect(handleChatEvents);
@@ -98,26 +86,16 @@ function ChatBody({
           paddingBottom: 0,
           borderTop: '1px solid var(--jp-border-color1)'
         }}
-        sendWithShiftEnter={sendWithShiftEnter}
+        sendWithShiftEnter={chatModel.config.sendWithShiftEnter ?? false}
       />
     </>
   );
 }
 
-export type ChatProps = {
-  chatModel: IChatModel;
-  themeManager: IThemeManager | null;
-  rmRegistry: IRenderMimeRegistry;
-  chatView?: ChatView;
-};
-
-enum ChatView {
-  Chat,
-  Settings
-}
-
-export function Chat(props: ChatProps): JSX.Element {
-  const [view, setView] = useState<ChatView>(props.chatView || ChatView.Chat);
+export function Chat(props: Chat.IOptions): JSX.Element {
+  const [view, setView] = useState<Chat.ChatView>(
+    props.chatView || Chat.ChatView.Chat
+  );
   console.log('Instantiate a chat');
   return (
     <JlThemeProvider themeManager={props.themeManager}>
@@ -135,15 +113,15 @@ export function Chat(props: ChatProps): JSX.Element {
       >
         {/* top bar */}
         <Box sx={{ display: 'flex', justifyContent: 'space-between' }}>
-          {view !== ChatView.Chat ? (
-            <IconButton onClick={() => setView(ChatView.Chat)}>
+          {view !== Chat.ChatView.Chat ? (
+            <IconButton onClick={() => setView(Chat.ChatView.Chat)}>
               <ArrowBackIcon />
             </IconButton>
           ) : (
             <Box />
           )}
-          {view === ChatView.Chat ? (
-            <IconButton onClick={() => setView(ChatView.Settings)}>
+          {view === Chat.ChatView.Chat && props.settingsPanel ? (
+            <IconButton onClick={() => setView(Chat.ChatView.Settings)}>
               <SettingsIcon />
             </IconButton>
           ) : (
@@ -151,11 +129,53 @@ export function Chat(props: ChatProps): JSX.Element {
           )}
         </Box>
         {/* body */}
-        {view === ChatView.Chat && (
+        {view === Chat.ChatView.Chat && (
           <ChatBody chatModel={props.chatModel} rmRegistry={props.rmRegistry} />
         )}
-        {view === ChatView.Settings && <ChatSettings />}
+        {view === Chat.ChatView.Settings && props.settingsPanel && (
+          <props.settingsPanel />
+        )}
       </Box>
     </JlThemeProvider>
   );
 }
+
+/**
+ * The chat UI namespace
+ */
+export namespace Chat {
+  /**
+   * The options to build the Chat UI.
+   */
+  export interface IOptions {
+    /**
+     * The chat model.
+     */
+    chatModel: IChatModel;
+    /**
+     * The theme manager.
+     */
+    themeManager: IThemeManager | null;
+    /**
+     * The rendermime registry.
+     */
+    rmRegistry: IRenderMimeRegistry;
+    /**
+     * The view to render.
+     */
+    chatView?: ChatView;
+    /**
+     * A settings panel that can be used for dedicated settings (e.g. jupyter-ai)
+     */
+    settingsPanel?: () => JSX.Element;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * The view to render.
+   * The settings view is available only if the settings panel is provided in options.
+   */
+  export enum ChatView {
+    Chat,
+    Settings
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/components/settings/minify.ts b/src/components/settings/minify.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index daff8f1..0000000
--- a/src/components/settings/minify.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,56 +0,0 @@
-import { ChatService } from '../../services';
-
-/**
- * Function that minimizes the `UpdateConfigRequest` object prior to submission.
- * Removes properties with values identical to those specified in the server
- * configuration.
- */
-export function minifyUpdate(
-  config: ChatService.DescribeConfigResponse,
-  update: ChatService.UpdateConfigRequest
-): ChatService.UpdateConfigRequest {
-  return minifyPatchObject(config, update) as ChatService.UpdateConfigRequest;
-}
-
-/**
- * Function that removes all properties from `patch` that have identical values
- * to `obj` recursively.
- */
-export function minifyPatchObject(
-  obj: Record<string, any>,
-  patch: Record<string, any>
-): Record<string, any> {
-  const diffObj: Record<string, any> = {};
-  for (const key in patch) {
-    if (!(key in obj) || typeof obj[key] !== typeof patch[key]) {
-      // if key is not present in oldObj, or if the value types do not match,
-      // use the value of `patch`.
-      diffObj[key] = patch[key];
-      continue;
-    }
-
-    const objVal = obj[key];
-    const patchVal = patch[key];
-    if (Array.isArray(objVal) && Array.isArray(patchVal)) {
-      // if objects are both arrays but are not equal, then use the value
-      const areNotEqual =
-        objVal.length !== patchVal.length ||
-        !objVal.every((objVal_i, i) => objVal_i === patchVal[i]);
-      if (areNotEqual) {
-        diffObj[key] = patchVal;
-      }
-    } else if (typeof patchVal === 'object') {
-      // if the value is an object, run `diffObjects` recursively.
-      const childPatch = minifyPatchObject(objVal, patchVal);
-      const isNonEmpty = !!Object.keys(childPatch)?.length;
-      if (isNonEmpty) {
-        diffObj[key] = childPatch;
-      }
-    } else if (objVal !== patchVal) {
-      // otherwise, use the value of `patch` only if it differs.
-      diffObj[key] = patchVal;
-    }
-  }
-
-  return diffObj;
-}
diff --git a/src/components/settings/use-server-info.ts b/src/components/settings/use-server-info.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 204dcb6..0000000
--- a/src/components/settings/use-server-info.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,86 +0,0 @@
-import { useState, useEffect, useMemo, useCallback } from 'react';
-import { ChatService } from '../../services';
-
-type ServerInfoProperties = {
-  config: ChatService.DescribeConfigResponse;
-};
-
-type ServerInfoMethods = {
-  refetchAll: () => Promise<void>;
-};
-
-export enum ServerInfoState {
-  /**
-   * Server info is being fetched.
-   */
-  Loading,
-  /**
-   * Unable to retrieve server info.
-   */
-  Error,
-  /**
-   * Server info was loaded successfully.
-   */
-  Ready
-}
-
-type ServerInfoLoading = { state: ServerInfoState.Loading };
-type ServerInfoError = {
-  state: ServerInfoState.Error;
-  error: string;
-};
-type ServerInfoReady = { state: ServerInfoState.Ready } & ServerInfoProperties &
-  ServerInfoMethods;
-
-type ServerInfo = ServerInfoLoading | ServerInfoError | ServerInfoReady;
-
-/**
- * A hook that fetches the current configuration and provider lists from the
- * server. Returns a `ServerInfo` object that includes methods.
- */
-export function useServerInfo(): ServerInfo {
-  const [state, setState] = useState<ServerInfoState>(ServerInfoState.Loading);
-  const [serverInfoProps, setServerInfoProps] =
-    useState<ServerInfoProperties>();
-  const [error, setError] = useState<string>('');
-
-  const fetchServerInfo = useCallback(async () => {
-    try {
-      const config = await ChatService.getConfig();
-      setServerInfoProps({ config });
-
-      setState(ServerInfoState.Ready);
-    } catch (e) {
-      console.error(e);
-      if (e instanceof Error) {
-        setError(e.toString());
-      } else {
-        setError('An unknown error occurred.');
-      }
-      setState(ServerInfoState.Error);
-    }
-  }, []);
-
-  /**
-   * Effect: fetch server info on initial render
-   */
-  useEffect(() => {
-    fetchServerInfo();
-  }, []);
-
-  return useMemo<ServerInfo>(() => {
-    if (state === ServerInfoState.Loading) {
-      return { state };
-    }
-
-    if (state === ServerInfoState.Error || !serverInfoProps) {
-      return { state: ServerInfoState.Error, error };
-    }
-
-    return {
-      state,
-      ...serverInfoProps,
-      refetchAll: fetchServerInfo
-    };
-  }, [state, serverInfoProps, error]);
-}
diff --git a/src/components/settings/validator.ts b/src/components/settings/validator.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index cea6ad8..0000000
--- a/src/components/settings/validator.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-export class SettingsValidator {
-  constructor() {}
-}
diff --git a/src/handlers/websocket-handler.ts b/src/handlers/websocket-handler.ts
index aedba8c..1d0d272 100644
--- a/src/handlers/websocket-handler.ts
+++ b/src/handlers/websocket-handler.ts
@@ -4,10 +4,17 @@ import { UUID } from '@lumino/coreutils';
 
 import { requestAPI } from './handler';
 import { ChatModel, IChatModel } from '../model';
-import { ChatService } from '../services';
+import { IChatHistory, IMessage, INewMessage } from '../types';
 
 const CHAT_SERVICE_URL = 'api/chat';
 
+export type ConnectionMessage = {
+  type: 'connection';
+  client_id: string;
+};
+
+type GenericMessage = IMessage | ConnectionMessage;
+
 /**
  * An implementation of the chat model based on websocket handler.
  */
@@ -39,7 +46,7 @@ export class WebSocketHandler extends ChatModel {
    * Sends a message across the WebSocket. Promise resolves to the message ID
    * when the server sends the same message back, acknowledging receipt.
    */
-  addMessage(message: ChatService.ChatRequest): Promise<boolean> {
+  addMessage(message: INewMessage): Promise<boolean> {
     message.id = UUID.uuid4();
     return new Promise(resolve => {
       this._socket?.send(JSON.stringify(message));
@@ -47,8 +54,8 @@ export class WebSocketHandler extends ChatModel {
     });
   }
 
-  async getHistory(): Promise<ChatService.ChatHistory> {
-    let data: ChatService.ChatHistory = { messages: [] };
+  async getHistory(): Promise<IChatHistory> {
+    let data: IChatHistory = { messages: [] };
     try {
       data = await requestAPI('history', {
         method: 'GET'
@@ -77,7 +84,7 @@ export class WebSocketHandler extends ChatModel {
     }
   }
 
-  onMessage(message: ChatService.IMessage): void {
+  onMessage(message: IMessage): void {
     // resolve promise from `sendMessage()`
     if (message.type === 'msg' && message.sender.id === this.id) {
       this._sendResolverQueue.get(message.id)?.(true);
@@ -115,10 +122,7 @@ export class WebSocketHandler extends ChatModel {
       socket.onmessage = msg =>
         msg.data && this.onMessage(JSON.parse(msg.data));
 
-      const listenForConnection = (
-        _: IChatModel,
-        message: ChatService.IMessage
-      ) => {
+      const listenForConnection = (_: IChatModel, message: GenericMessage) => {
         if (message.type !== 'connection') {
           return;
         }
diff --git a/src/index.ts b/src/index.ts
index 27b40d8..84630cf 100644
--- a/src/index.ts
+++ b/src/index.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 export * from './handlers/websocket-handler';
 export * from './model';
-export * from './services';
+export * from './types';
 export * from './widgets/chat-error';
 export * from './widgets/chat-sidebar';
 export * from './widgets/chat-widget';
diff --git a/src/model.ts b/src/model.ts
index 0a9abf7..482e8fb 100644
--- a/src/model.ts
+++ b/src/model.ts
@@ -1,28 +1,42 @@
 import { IDisposable } from '@lumino/disposable';
 import { ISignal, Signal } from '@lumino/signaling';
 
-import { ChatService } from './services';
+import {
+  IChatHistory,
+  INewMessage,
+  IChatMessage,
+  IConfig,
+  IMessage
+} from './types';
 
+/**
+ * The chat model interface.
+ */
 export interface IChatModel extends IDisposable {
   /**
    * The chat model ID.
    */
   id: string;
 
+  /**
+   * The configuration for the chat panel.
+   */
+  config: IConfig;
+
   /**
    * The signal emitted when a new message is received.
    */
-  get incomingMessage(): ISignal<IChatModel, ChatService.IMessage>;
+  get incomingMessage(): ISignal<IChatModel, IMessage>;
 
   /**
    * The signal emitted when a message is updated.
    */
-  get messageUpdated(): ISignal<IChatModel, ChatService.IMessage>;
+  get messageUpdated(): ISignal<IChatModel, IMessage>;
 
   /**
    * The signal emitted when a message is updated.
    */
-  get messageDeleted(): ISignal<IChatModel, ChatService.IMessage>;
+  get messageDeleted(): ISignal<IChatModel, IMessage>;
 
   /**
    * Send a message, to be defined depending on the chosen technology.
@@ -31,9 +45,7 @@ export interface IChatModel extends IDisposable {
    * @param message - the message to send.
    * @returns whether the message has been sent or not, or nothing if not needed.
    */
-  addMessage(
-    message: ChatService.ChatRequest
-  ): Promise<boolean | void> | boolean | void;
+  addMessage(message: INewMessage): Promise<boolean | void> | boolean | void;
 
   /**
    * Optional, to update a message from the chat.
@@ -43,13 +55,13 @@ export interface IChatModel extends IDisposable {
    */
   updateMessage?(
     id: string,
-    message: ChatService.ChatRequest
+    message: INewMessage
   ): Promise<boolean | void> | boolean | void;
 
   /**
    * Optional, to get messages history.
    */
-  getHistory?(): Promise<ChatService.ChatHistory>;
+  getHistory?(): Promise<IChatHistory>;
 
   /**
    * Dispose the chat model.
@@ -66,14 +78,14 @@ export interface IChatModel extends IDisposable {
    *
    * @param message - the new message, containing user information and body.
    */
-  onMessage(message: ChatService.IMessage): void;
+  onMessage(message: IMessage): void;
 
   /**
    * Function to call when a message is updated.
    *
    * @param message - the message updated, containing user information and body.
    */
-  onMessageUpdated?(message: ChatService.IMessage): void;
+  onMessageUpdated?(message: IMessage): void;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -85,7 +97,9 @@ export class ChatModel implements IChatModel {
   /**
    * Create a new chat model.
    */
-  constructor(options: ChatModel.IOptions = {}) {}
+  constructor(options: ChatModel.IOptions = {}) {
+    this._config = options.config ?? {};
+  }
 
   /**
    * The chat model ID.
@@ -98,23 +112,34 @@ export class ChatModel implements IChatModel {
   }
 
   /**
+   * The chat settings.
+   */
+  get config(): IConfig {
+    return this._config;
+  }
+  set config(value: Partial<IConfig>) {
+    this._config = { ...this._config, ...value };
+  }
+
+  /**
+   *
    * The signal emitted when a new message is received.
    */
-  get incomingMessage(): ISignal<IChatModel, ChatService.IMessage> {
+  get incomingMessage(): ISignal<IChatModel, IMessage> {
     return this._incomingMessage;
   }
 
   /**
    * The signal emitted when a message is updated.
    */
-  get messageUpdated(): ISignal<IChatModel, ChatService.IMessage> {
+  get messageUpdated(): ISignal<IChatModel, IMessage> {
     return this._messageUpdated;
   }
 
   /**
    * The signal emitted when a message is updated.
    */
-  get messageDeleted(): ISignal<IChatModel, ChatService.IMessage> {
+  get messageDeleted(): ISignal<IChatModel, IMessage> {
     return this._messageDeleted;
   }
 
@@ -125,9 +150,7 @@ export class ChatModel implements IChatModel {
    * @param message - the message to send.
    * @returns whether the message has been sent or not.
    */
-  addMessage(
-    message: ChatService.ChatRequest
-  ): Promise<boolean | void> | boolean | void {}
+  addMessage(message: INewMessage): Promise<boolean | void> | boolean | void {}
 
   /**
    * Dispose the chat model.
@@ -150,9 +173,7 @@ export class ChatModel implements IChatModel {
    * A function called before transferring the message to the panel(s).
    * Can be useful if some actions are required on the message.
    */
-  protected formatChatMessage(
-    message: ChatService.IChatMessage
-  ): ChatService.IChatMessage {
+  protected formatChatMessage(message: IChatMessage): IChatMessage {
     return message;
   }
 
@@ -161,23 +182,20 @@ export class ChatModel implements IChatModel {
    *
    * @param message - the message with user information and body.
    */
-  onMessage(message: ChatService.IMessage): void {
+  onMessage(message: IMessage): void {
     if (message.type === 'msg') {
-      message = this.formatChatMessage(message as ChatService.IChatMessage);
+      message = this.formatChatMessage(message as IChatMessage);
     }
 
     this._incomingMessage.emit(message);
   }
 
   private _id: string = '';
+  private _config: IConfig;
   private _isDisposed = false;
-  private _incomingMessage = new Signal<IChatModel, ChatService.IMessage>(this);
-  private _messageUpdated = new Signal<IChatModel, ChatService.IChatMessage>(
-    this
-  );
-  private _messageDeleted = new Signal<IChatModel, ChatService.IChatMessage>(
-    this
-  );
+  private _incomingMessage = new Signal<IChatModel, IMessage>(this);
+  private _messageUpdated = new Signal<IChatModel, IChatMessage>(this);
+  private _messageDeleted = new Signal<IChatModel, IChatMessage>(this);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -187,5 +205,10 @@ export namespace ChatModel {
   /**
    * The instantiation options for a ChatModel.
    */
-  export interface IOptions {}
+  export interface IOptions {
+    /**
+     * Initial config for the chat widget.
+     */
+    config?: IConfig;
+  }
 }
diff --git a/src/services.ts b/src/services.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index d63381a..0000000
--- a/src/services.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,64 +0,0 @@
-import { requestAPI } from './handlers/handler';
-
-export namespace ChatService {
-  export interface IUser {
-    id: string;
-    username?: string;
-    name?: string;
-    display_name?: string;
-    initials?: string;
-    color?: string;
-    avatar_url?: string;
-  }
-
-  export interface IChatMessage {
-    type: 'msg';
-    body: string;
-    id: string;
-    time: number;
-    sender: IUser;
-  }
-
-  export type ConnectionMessage = {
-    type: 'connection';
-    client_id: string;
-  };
-
-  export type ClearMessage = {
-    type: 'clear';
-  };
-
-  export type IMessage = IChatMessage | ConnectionMessage | ClearMessage;
-
-  export type ChatHistory = {
-    messages: IChatMessage[];
-  };
-
-  export type ChatRequest = {
-    body: string;
-    id?: string;
-  };
-
-  export type DescribeConfigResponse = {
-    send_with_shift_enter: boolean;
-    last_read: number;
-  };
-
-  export type UpdateConfigRequest = {
-    send_with_shift_enter?: boolean;
-    last_read?: number;
-  };
-
-  export async function getConfig(): Promise<DescribeConfigResponse> {
-    return requestAPI<DescribeConfigResponse>('config');
-  }
-
-  export async function updateConfig(
-    config: UpdateConfigRequest
-  ): Promise<void> {
-    return requestAPI<void>('config', {
-      method: 'POST',
-      body: JSON.stringify(config)
-    });
-  }
-}
diff --git a/src/types.ts b/src/types.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5a81a52
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/types.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+/**
+ * The user description.
+ */
+export interface IUser {
+  id: string;
+  username?: string;
+  name?: string;
+  display_name?: string;
+  initials?: string;
+  color?: string;
+  avatar_url?: string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * The configuration interface.
+ */
+export interface IConfig {
+  sendWithShiftEnter?: boolean;
+  lastRead?: number;
+}
+
+/**
+ * The chat message decription.
+ */
+export interface IChatMessage {
+  type: 'msg';
+  body: string;
+  id: string;
+  time: number;
+  sender: IUser;
+}
+
+export type IClearMessage = {
+  type: 'clear';
+};
+
+export type IMessage = IChatMessage | IClearMessage;
+
+/**
+ * The chat history interface.
+ */
+export interface IChatHistory {
+  messages: IChatMessage[];
+}
+
+/**
+ * The content of a new message.
+ */
+export interface INewMessage {
+  body: string;
+  id?: string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * An empty interface to describe optional settings taht could be fetched from server.
+ */
+export interface ISettings {}
diff --git a/src/widgets/chat-widget.tsx b/src/widgets/chat-widget.tsx
index 08d278e..859aee1 100644
--- a/src/widgets/chat-widget.tsx
+++ b/src/widgets/chat-widget.tsx
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import { chatIcon } from '../icons';
 import { IChatModel } from '../model';
 
 export class ChatWidget extends ReactWidget {
-  constructor(options: ChatWidget.IOptions) {
+  constructor(options: Chat.IOptions) {
     super();
 
     this.id = 'jupyter-chat::widget';
@@ -35,9 +35,5 @@ export class ChatWidget extends ReactWidget {
 }
 
 export namespace ChatWidget {
-  export interface IOptions {
-    chatModel: IChatModel;
-    themeManager: IThemeManager | null;
-    rmRegistry: IRenderMimeRegistry;
-  }
+  export interface IOptions extends Chat.IOptions {}
 }