Work with apps in Slack using shortcuts

Apps connect your tools to Slack so your team can work together more efficiently. Some apps include shortcuts you can use to take actions in another service without leaving Slack. There are two types of shortcuts: 

  • Shortcuts you can use anywhere in Slack
    Find shortcuts you can use with apps installed to your workspace in the attachments and shortcuts menu or search results. For example, you can use the Google Calendar Create event shortcut to create a new calendar event right from your workspace.
  • Shortcuts you can use from messages
    Open the  More actions menu from any message to send information from Slack to another service, like attaching a relevant message from Slack to a customer's support ticket in Zendesk. 

Note: If you use Slack Connect to work in channels with other companies, only members of your organization can use shortcuts associated with apps installed to your workspace.


Take actions from the attachments and shortcuts menu

Any shortcuts associated with apps installed to your workspace will appear in the attachments and shortcuts menu. Here's how to use them: 

Desktop

Mobile

  1. From a channel or direct message (DM), click the  plus icon to the left of the message field. 
  2. Search for a particular shortcut or app, or select a shortcut from the list. 
  3. Follow the prompts to use the shortcut. 
  1. From a channel or direct message (DM), tap the  plus icon.
  2. Tap  Shortcuts.
  3. Search for and select the shortcut you'd like to use, then follow the prompts.


Take actions from message shortcuts

Some apps offer message shortcuts to help you move work from Slack to a connected app. With message shortcuts, you can create a task, add a comment, or follow up on work happening in another service from any message in Slack. 

Desktop

Mobile

  1. Hover over a message in Slack. 
  2. Click the  three dots icon
  3. Choose a message shortcut from the menu. You'll see app names next to shortcuts so it's easy to make sure you're sending information to the right place. 
  4. If you don't see the shortcut you're looking for, click More message shortcuts to view a complete list. 

The app will post a message in a channel, DM, or thread so your teammates can see that you've documented a task in another tool. 

  1. Tap and hold a message in Slack.
  2. Choose a message shortcut from the list. You'll see app names next to shortcuts so it's easy to make sure you're sending information to the right place. 
  3. If you don't see the shortcut you're looking for, tap More message shortcuts to view a complete list.  

Interested in building an app with shortcuts? Review our documentation on Slack API to get started.