12 Ways to Maximize Your Productivity With Slack

Actionable ways to use Slack to be more productive

For many modern businesses, Slack has largely replaced email for quick internal communication. But while most users understand the basics of messaging, learning some of the platform’s deeper tools can help reduce busywork and keep conversations more focused. 

The following tips and automated workflows can help you and your team cut down on distractions and move through your workday more efficiently.

1. Set reminders and deadlines.

When work piles up, it’s easy for small tasks to slip through the cracks. To combat this, Slack lets you set automated reminders for yourself, specific co-workers or entire channels so important deadlines stay visible. Here’s how:

• In the message box, type /remind and select Set yourself a reminder from the shortcuts menu.
• Or, type /remind, followed by [me] [what] [when] to remind yourself, or type [#channel_name] [what] [when] to remind a channel.

For example, if you need to remind the sales team to submit weekly reports, you could type: 

• /remind [#sales] [Submit weekly report] [Every Friday at 3 p.m.] 

By default, reminders are delivered at 9 a.m. in your time zone, but you can adjust this in the app’s Preferences section if needed.

2. Use keyboard shortcuts.

Many experienced Slack users find that navigating with keyboard shortcuts is faster than relying on a mouse. Slack includes a wide range of shortcuts that let you jump between conversations and workspaces quickly. Here are a few Slack shortcuts you may not be using yet:

• Mark a message as unread
  • Windows/Linux: Alt + click
  • Mac: Option + click
• Browse channels
  • Windows/Linux: Ctrl + Shift + L
  • Mac: Cmd + Shift + L
• Switch to previous workspace
  • Windows/Linux: Ctrl + Shift + Tab
  • Mac: Cmd + Shift + [
• Switch to next workspace
  • Windows/Linux: Ctrl + Tab
  • Mac: Cmd + Shift + ]
• Switch to specific workspace
  • Windows/Linux: Ctrl + (number)
  • Mac: Cmd + (number)
• Set your status
  • Windows/Linux: Ctrl + Shift + Y
  • Mac: Cmd + Shift + Y
• Start a search (workspace search)
  • Windows/Linux: Ctrl + G
  • Mac: Cmd + G
• Start a search within the current conversation
  • Windows/Linux: Ctrl + F
  • Mac: Cmd + F

3. Customize your notifications.

Microsoft’s 2025 Work Trend Index found that employees are interrupted about every two minutes during the workday — up to roughly 275 interruptions a day from meetings, emails and chat alerts — which can make sustained focus harder to maintain. While Slack’s connectivity is one of its strengths, constant pings can add to that background noise.

You don’t need your workflow interrupted by conversations that aren’t relevant to what you’re working on. Adjusting your notification settings helps filter out the noise. Here are a few useful notification options:

• Listen for keywords: Select your account icon, then go to Preferences > Notifications and add the words or phrases you want to track under Channel keywords. You’ll receive alerts when those terms are mentioned.
• Increase channel notifications: To be notified about every message in a channel, right-click on the channel, select View channel details, and ensure you’ve selected All new posts in the Notifications (bell icon) tab.
• Reduce channel notifications: You can mute channels so their names don’t appear in bold when there’s unread activity. Right-click the channel, select View channel details, then choose Mute and hide from the notifications dropdown (bell icon).
• Do not disturb: When you set your status to Do not disturb, others can see you’re unavailable. To enable it, type /dnd, select Pause all your notifications, and then set your preferred time duration.

Laura Harvey, owner and CEO of Ontario Business Central, noted that adjusting notifications can help you and your team stay focused. “Remind team members to pause notifications when in deep work sessions,” she advised.

4. Use channels effectively.

Slack channels help organize work by topic, creating a centralized place where the right people can find conversations and shared information. To create a new channel, right-click on Channels and select Create, or select the plus sign next to Channels. Slack channels can be public or private.

• Public channels: Public channels, like #announcements, work well for companywide updates or open forums where employees can ask questions. You can also use public channels to upload shared resources, such as employee training materials, brand assets and company policies, so teams can access them quickly.
• Private channels: Private channels are better suited for confidential discussions or sensitive projects. The organizer decides who joins and has more control over participation and visibility. Like public channels, you can share files and resources, but only members of the group can view them. Channels tend to work best when each one has a clear purpose, rather than several spaces covering the same ground.

“One of Slack’s best features is how you can organize conversations into channels based on topics, projects or teams, so instead of scrolling through endless group chats, you can hop into the right channel and find what you need,” Harvey explained.

5. Collaborate with external partners via Slack Connect.

Slack isn’t just for internal teams. With Slack Connect, you can bring conversations with partners, vendors and clients into shared channels instead of relying on long email threads. This can help teams make decisions faster and keep files, feedback and updates in one place. Slack Connect also allows multiple organizations to collaborate in a single workspace while keeping conversations secure.

6. Use threads to declutter channel traffic.

Threads let you continue detailed discussions without crowding the main channel feed. Replies stay connected to the original message and open in a side panel that users can expand or collapse as needed. Team members who follow the thread will see updates there, while the main channel stays focused on broader conversations.

“To make the most of Slack, encourage your team to use threads for side conversations to avoid flooding channels,” Harvey recommended.

For example, if a manager posts a project brief in the #marketing channel, team members can use a thread to follow up and discuss specifics. This way, the channel reads more like a running summary instead of a detailed conversation.

7. Employ slash commands.

Slash commands are quick text shortcuts that let you trigger actions without digging through menus. Slack includes a wide range of built-in commands, and some teams also create custom ones that match their internal workflows.

Here are a few commonly used slash commands:

• /archive: Close a channel but retain a searchable message history.
• /msg [@someone]: Send a private message to that recipient.
• /huddle: Set up a video conference with selected users (see No. 10 below to learn more about huddles).
• /invite [@someone] [#channel]: Invite a colleague to join a particular channel.
• /msg [#channel]: Send a message to everyone in the group.
• /search [your text]: Search through messages and files for a particular text string.
• /shrug [your message]: Add a shrugged-shoulder emoji to the end of your message.
• /status: Set your status as away, active, do not disturb, etc.

8. Rely on Slackbot.

Answering the same administrative questions over and over can slow teams down. Slackbot lets you set up automatic replies to common questions, so employees can get quick answers without waiting on a manager or IT response. For example, if someone asks for the business Wi-Fi password, Slackbot can send the details automatically instead of requiring a manual reply.

Many teams treat Slackbot like a lightweight internal knowledge base or employee self-service resource. You can add reminders about holidays, various company policies or software access, helping team members find routine information on their own while keeping conversations moving.

Slack has also introduced new Slack AI features that expand what Slackbot can do. These context-aware tools can summarize conversations, draft content and pull insights from messages, files and channels employees already have access to. Instead of responding only to keywords, Slack’s AI understands project context and can help teams prepare for meetings, analyze documents or surface key updates across conversations, turning Slackbot into more of a productivity partner than a basic helper.

9. Give quick feedback with Slack emojis and reactions.

Not every message needs a long reply. Sometimes a quick emoji reaction is enough to acknowledge or respond to a message while keeping conversations moving. Reactions are a simple way to signal agreement, confirm you’ve seen something or give a quick thumbs-up without breaking your flow, especially if your team already uses emojis in business communication to add tone and context to messages. 

To add one, hover over the message and choose an emoji from the gallery. You can also click someone else’s reaction to add the same one, showing you agree or support the response.

10. Huddle on a video call.

Slack Huddles are quick audio or video calls that feel more like stopping by someone’s desk than scheduling a formal meeting. On paid plans, teams of up to 50 (two are allowed on the free plan) can jump into a huddle together, share screens and even draw directly on what’s being shared to explain ideas in real time. Like Zoom or Google Meet, you can present your screen, take notes and turn on captions if needed. You can also use emoji reactions during a huddle to respond quickly without interrupting the conversation — a small feature that helps keep discussions flowing.

For quick check-ins, it’s often easier to start a huddle than launch a full video meeting. “[Huddles] take out the unnecessary planning of finding a meeting time,” Harvey noted.

11. Record audio notes.

Sometimes a quick voice note communicates tone and context better than a long message. Slack Clips let you record short audio or video updates that teammates can watch or listen to when it fits their schedule, which can cut down on unnecessary meetings.

To record an audio note, click the microphone icon in the message field while you’re in a channel or direct message. When you’re finished, select the check mark to stop recording and send the clip just like a regular message. The video icon works the same way.

If someone sends you an audio note, it appears directly in the channel or direct-message thread, as shown in the image above. A short preview of the spoken text appears beneath the audio waveform, and you can select View transcript to read the full message.

12. Connect Slack to your other apps.

Slack becomes more useful when it connects with the tools your team already relies on. The Slack App Directory includes thousands of integrations, from Salesforce and HubSpot to Google Drive, making it easier to keep updates, approvals and shared files in one place.

You can also connect Slack with some of the best employee monitoring software. For example, our BambooHR review highlights the platform’s integrations marketplace, which includes an option to link BambooHR with Slack.

Top Slack alternatives to consider

While Slack is widely used for workplace communication, other platforms may be a better fit depending on how your team collaborates and which tools you already use. Here are a few well-known alternatives to explore:

• Microsoft Teams: Businesses already working inside the Microsoft ecosystem may find Teams a natural extension of tools like Word, Excel and Outlook. It combines messaging, video meetings and file collaboration in one place. Microsoft 365 Business Basic plans start at $6 per user per month, while Business Standard plans are around $12.50 per user per month, paid annually.
• Google Workspace (Google Meet and Chat): Organizations already working inside the Google ecosystem may find Google Workspace a natural alternative. Rather than a standalone messaging app, it combines Google Chat, Google Meet, Drive and Calendar within the same subscription, making it easier to move between conversations, meetings and shared files. Business Starter plans begin at about $7 per user per month, Business Standard at $14 and Business Plus at $22, though promotions are often available.
• Rocket.Chat: Rocket.Chat appeals to teams that want more control over their communication tools. Its open-source setup lets organizations decide how their data is hosted, stored and secured. Rocket.Chat offers a free Community version for self-managed deployments, along with Pro and Enterprise plans that require custom pricing based on your setup and scale.

Sammi Caramela and Scott Gerber contributed to this article. Source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.