diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index be8cb39..8364534 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -62,6 +62,8 @@ These go in `config.json`. See also `config.example.json`.
 |alwaysReplyAnon|false|If `alwaysReply` is set to true, this option controls whether the auto-reply is anonymous|
 |useNicknames|false|If set to true, mod replies will use their nickname (on the inbox server) instead of their username|
 |ignoreAccidentalThreads|false|If set to true, the bot attempts to ignore common "accidental" messages that would start a new thread, such as "ok", "thanks", etc.|
+|typingProxy|false|If set to true, the bot will start typing in the corresponding modmail channel when the user starts typing in DM.
+|typingProxyReverse|false|If set to true, the bot will start typing in the user's DM when someone starts typing in the corresponding thread.
 |enableGreeting|false|Set to true to send a welcome message to new main guild members. Requires `mainGuildId` to be set.|
 |greetingMessage|None|Text content of the welcome message|
 |greetingAttachment|None|Path to an image or other attachment to send along with the greeting|
diff --git a/src/config.js b/src/config.js
index 2b93f55..89abb30 100644
--- a/src/config.js
+++ b/src/config.js
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ const defaultConfig = {
   "ignoreAccidentalThreads": false,
   "threadTimestamps": false,
   "allowMove": false,
+  "typingProxy": false,
+  "typingProxyReverse": false,
 
   "enableGreeting": false,
   "greetingMessage": null,
diff --git a/src/data/Thread.js b/src/data/Thread.js
index e744622..e26e36f 100644
--- a/src/data/Thread.js
+++ b/src/data/Thread.js
@@ -138,6 +138,13 @@ class Thread {
     });
   }
 
+  /**
+   * @returns {Promise<PrivateChannel>}
+   */
+  getDMChannel() {
+    return bot.getDMChannel(this.user_id);
+  }
+
   /**
    * @param {String} text
    * @param {Eris~MessageFile|Eris~MessageFile[]} file
@@ -146,7 +153,7 @@ class Thread {
    */
   async postToUser(text, file = null) {
     // Try to open a DM channel with the user
-    const dmChannel = await bot.getDMChannel(this.user_id);
+    const dmChannel = await this.getDMChannel();
     if (! dmChannel) {
       throw new Error('Could not open DMs with the user. They may have blocked the bot or set their privacy settings higher.');
     }
diff --git a/src/main.js b/src/main.js
index db15b9f..5c665b5 100644
--- a/src/main.js
+++ b/src/main.js
@@ -146,6 +146,34 @@ bot.on('messageCreate', async msg => {
   });
 });
 
+// Typing proxy: forwarding typing events between the DM and the modmail thread
+if(config.typingProxy || config.typingProxyReverse) {
+  bot.on("typingStart", async (channel, user) => {
+    // config.typingProxy: forward user typing in a DM to the modmail thread
+    if (config.typingProxy && (channel instanceof Eris.PrivateChannel)) {
+      const thread = await threads.findOpenThreadByUserId(user.id);
+      if (! thread) return;
+
+      try {
+        await bot.sendChannelTyping(thread.channel_id);
+      } catch (e) {}
+    }
+
+    // config.typingProxyReverse: forward moderator typing in a thread to the DM
+    else if (config.typingProxyReverse && (channel instanceof Eris.GuildChannel) && ! user.bot) {
+      const thread = await threads.findByChannelId(channel.id);
+      if (! thread) return;
+
+      const dmChannel = await thread.getDMChannel(thread.user_id);
+      if (! dmChannel) return;
+
+      try {
+        await bot.sendChannelTyping(dmChannel.id);
+      } catch(e) {}
+    }
+  });
+}
+
 // Mods can reply to modmail threads using !r or !reply
 // These messages get relayed back to the DM thread between the bot and the user
 addInboxServerCommand('reply', async (msg, args, thread) => {