Looking for more information about creating a Slack workspace or managing your new workspace? This guide is for you and we’re glad you’re here!

Tip: If you’re newer to Slack, read What is Slack for a general overview of how things work. To join an existing workspace, take a look at Getting started for new members.

Step 1: Create a workspace

First, visit slack.com/create to create a new Slack workspace. All you need is an email address that you can access. We’ll walk you through each step, but you can visit Create a Slack workspace if you want step-by-step instructions to follow.

You’re now the Primary owner of your workspace. We’ll cover the basics of administering your new workspace later in this guide, but first, you’ll want to finish getting yourself set up in Slack:

• Add information to your profile
• Download the Slack app for desktop and mobile 

 

Step 2: Manage workspace settings and permissions

Before inviting members to join your workspace, we recommend getting familiar with your workspace’s settings and permissions. To view your workspace settings, follow the steps below or go to my.slack.com/admin/settings in your browser.   

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The Settings and Permissions tabs contain a full list of settings you can configure for your workspace and permissions you can manage for members. Here are some of the things you can adjust:

• Workspace icon
• Workspace language
• Custom emoji
• Default do not disturb hours
• Channel management
• Default channels
• Workspace invitations

Step 3: Workspace setup and organisation

Now that you’ve reviewed your workspace settings and permissions, it’s time to build the foundation that will support your colleagues when they join Slack. 

Organise channels

Channels are where a majority of conversations in your Slack workspace take place. A channel is a single place for your team to share messages, tools and files. To keep your channels organised, we recommend creating a channel naming strategy and setting default channels that all new members will be added to when they join your workspace.

• Create guidelines for channel names
  Think about how you want members of your workspace to name channels. What naming conventions will help members find the information they’re looking for most efficiently? What will help keep conversations focused and relevant?
  
  We recommend starting with broad channels for departments (#design, #finance, #human-resources) and office locations (#london, #paris, #tokyo).
  
  Read our Create guidelines for channel names article for more tips and details.
• Set default channels for new members
  In addition to the channel you set up when creating your workspace, you’ll notice you have a #general and a #random channel. These are default channels for your workspace and all new members will be added to them once they join. We recommend using #general as your company’s announcements channel to share information that everyone in your company needs to know.
  
  If there are other channels you want all members to belong to, you can set them as default channels by following these steps. When a new member joins your workspace, they’ll be added to #general, #random and any other default channels you’ve set.
  

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Features on paid subscriptions

You can use the free version of Slack for as long as you like but there are a number of additional features available on our paid subscriptions. Here are some you might like to consider:

• Single sign-on gives your members access to Slack through an identity provider, such as G Suite or Okta.
• User groups give you the ability to notify entire departments or groups of people at once, such as @marketing-team or @managers.
• Guest accounts allow you to give certain people limited access to your workspace. This feature is perfect for contractors or external vendors who you might otherwise communicate with by email.
• Shared channels let two organisations work together in a single channel, each from their own Slack workspace.

Step 4: Invite members to your workspace

Now that you’ve completed the basics to set up your workspace, it’s time to bring your workspace to life by inviting members to join.

By default, any workspace member can invite people to join your workspace. Workspace owners and workspace admins can restrict members’ permission to send invitations.

There are two ways to invite new members to your workspace:

• Send an email invitation
  Enter an email address, along with the full name of the person you want to invite. Once they’ve accepted their invitation, you’ll see them in your workspace.
  
  
• Allow email signup
  By enabling email signup, anyone with an email address on an approved domain (such as your company’s website) will be able to create an account and join your workspace automatically.

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Invited members

When someone has been invited to your workspace but hasn’t accepted their invitation, other members can add them to channels, @mention them and send direct messages. The invited member will receive email notifications when this happens and can send replies to Slack via email. 

Once an invited member accepts their invitation, they'll see channels they were added to and their direct messages in Slack so they can pick up conversations where they left off. 

Step 5: Apps and tools for your workspace

Slack lets you connect all of the tools you use for work in one place, eliminating the need to constantly switch between services.

Add apps to your workspace

You can find apps for services you already use in the Slack App Directory – everything from payments and accounting software to project management tools, calendars and more. Browse the App Directory to choose from over 1,500 apps built just for Slack. When you’ve found an app you want to install, we’ll walk you through the process so you don’t get stuck.

Workspace members can also search for apps, see apps they’ve used recently and view other installed apps they might want to use from the Slack desktop app by clicking   Apps in the left-hand sidebar.

Get trained up! We offer a free, interactive training app called Slack Foundry. Add it to your workspace so that all members can learn how to use Slack at work, in Slack.

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Build custom apps

Unlike the ready-made apps in the App Directory, custom apps can be built by your team to connect your internal tools to Slack. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Leverage existing internal tools your company uses to work together by integrating them with your Slack workspace. 
• Route notifications from other services into Slack to centralise communication. 
• Tie data and information from various systems together in Slack to improve complex cross-system workflows.

Tip: Building your own apps requires some technical expertise. Visit Customise Slack with internal integrations for more details, then have a look at the documentation on Slack API to get started.

What’s next?

• Read Working in Slack to learn how to use search, hold meetings with Slack calls and more.
• Search our Help Centre at any time or contact our support team with questions. We’re available 24/7 and happy to help if you need a hand.
• Review Slack 101 for a guide on the most important things to know about working in Slack