Use shortcuts to take actions in Slack

Use shortcuts to quickly take actions – like using an app or running a workflow – in Slack. Type a forward slash followed by the name of the shortcut, slash command or workflow that you’d like to run, or click the   slash icon in the message field to browse the shortcuts menu.

What to expect

  • When you open the menu, it will be populated with recently used shortcuts. To find a particular shortcut, slash command or workflow, start typing the name, or scroll to see some examples.
  • If you use Slack Connect to work in channels with external organisations, only members of your organisation can use shortcuts associated with apps installed to your workspace.

Tip: Any workflows added to a channel will appear in the channel’s bookmarks bar. You can also access workflows by clicking the   slash icon and typing the workflow’s name.

User_has_never_run_a_workflow_before.png

Use shortcuts

Desktop

Mobile

  1. Click the   slash icon next to the message field or type a forward slash to open the shortcuts menu.
  2. Start typing the name of an app, slash command or workflow, and select the associated shortcut that you’d like to use from the menu. If any additional information is required to run the shortcut, the details will be indicated in the menu.
  3. Press Enter, or click the   paper plane icon to send your message and run the shortcut.
  1. Tap the   slash icon next to the message field or type a forward slash to open the shortcuts menu.
  2. Search for an app, slash command or workflow by name, and select the associated shortcut that you’d like to use from the menu.
  3. Following the shortcut name in the message field, add any other text you need to use the command. The required formatting of any additional text will be indicated in the shortcut menu.
  4. Send your message to run the shortcut.

 

Types of shortcuts

App shortcuts

Some apps include shortcuts that you can use to take actions in another service directly from your workspace. You may need to add extra text to specify what you need the shortcut to do. App developers determine what’s required, and you’ll typically see prompts in the menu as you’re typing.

 

Slash commands

Slash commands allow you to carry out common Slack actions from anywhere in Slack. Below, you’ll find a list of the ones that are built right into Slack.

 

Workflows

Your team can build customised workflows to automate tasks in Slack. Start typing the name of your workflow, then select it from the list to trigger the workflow.

 

Built-in shortcuts

These shortcuts are available on every Slack workspace from day one. In the message composer, type a forward slash followed by a command to try it out.

Action Slash command
Add someone to a channel /invite [@someone] [#channel]
Append ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ to the end of your message /shrug
Archive the current channel* /archive
Browse channels in your workspace** /browse channels
Browse files in your workspace /browse files
Collapse all inline images and video in the current channel (opposite of /expand) /collapse
Browse people and user groups /people
Create a code or text snippet** /snippet
Create a new channel* /create channel
Create a workflow with Workflow Builder*** /create workflow
Edit the current channel’s description /description
Expand all inline images and video in the current channel (opposite of /collapse) /expand
Add a GIF to a message /gif
Leave the current channel /leave
Manage notifications for a channel or DM /notifications
Mute or unmute a conversation /mute [#channel]
Open Workflow Builder** /workflow
Remove someone from the current channel* /remove (or /kick) @someone
Rename the current channel* /rename [new channel name]
Search messages and files in your workspace or org /search [your search terms]
Send a new message with the compose button /send
Send a DM /msg [@someone] [your message]
Send a message to a channel /msg [#channel] [your message]
Send feedback or a help request to the Slack customer experience team /feedback
Set a reminder for yourself /remind
Set the current channel topic /topic
Set your status to away or active /status
Start a huddle /huddle
Turn dark mode on or off** /darkmode
Turn Do Not Disturb (DND) on or off /dnd
View your DMs** /dm
View your downloaded files and images** /downloads
View your draft messages** /drafts
View your mentions and reactions** /mentions
View your saved items /saved
View Slack keyboard shortcuts /shortcuts

*May be restricted to owners and admins

**Not available on the Slack mobile apps

***Only available on paid subscriptions

 

Who can use this feature?