What to do when he always texts me first but doesn't say much

Starting the conversation is the hard part for a lot of people, so the fact that he keeps initiating counts for something. What it doesn't tell you is how he feels about the exchange once it's running. Short replies after a first text often mean he texted while waiting for something, or he's on his phone on a break and doesn't want to write a paragraph. Look at how he responds to questions specifically. If he answers a direct question with something real, even briefly, he's engaged in the topic. If he replies with a flat acknowledgment to everything, that's more of a signal about how much he wants to talk right now.

Also look at the pattern across days, not single messages. A guy who messages every morning but never asks about your day is different from one who asks and then goes quiet. The first likes the ritual. The second may be checking in because he thinks he should. Neither tells you the whole story, but both tell you where to put your effort.

Two kinds of reply fit this situation. The first is a light reply with one question that gives him something concrete to answer, like a specific question about his day or a comment on something he mentioned earlier. You can tell a draft is this kind because it has one question and nothing else asking for a response. Cut the multiple questions, the long stories about your own week, and anything that asks him to explain his feelings.

The second kind shares a small, specific thing about you and leaves the door open without asking him to keep going. This works when his messages are very flat and a question might feel like homework. You can tell a draft is this kind because it reads as a complete thought with no answer required. Cut the apologies for the length of your message, the questions stacked on top of the statement, and anything that signals you're waiting for him to do more. Either kind should be short enough to read in one glance.

Reply within a few hours if the conversation is flowing, and don't treat his one word answers as a reason to wait longer. If he hasn't answered your reply after a day, let it sit. Don't send a second message asking if he's still there. If he texts again later, respond warmly and keep your message about the same length as his. If he doesn't text for a few days, that tells you something about his priorities, and you can decide whether to send one light message or let it go.

When the pattern keeps repeating after a couple of weeks, suggest a specific plan, like getting a drink on a given night. A concrete ask shows whether he moves toward you or keeps things text only. If he gives a vague answer to a clear plan, you have your answer, and you can stop putting effort into the chat.