Let’s face it—if you’re glued to Slack all day, those extra clicks and mouse movements can start feeling like they’re stealing precious minutes from your day. Enter Slack slash commands: the productivity hack you didn’t know you needed! These little gems will have you zipping through your workday like a pro.
Here’s the magic: Slack has a treasure trove of built-in slash commands that serve as shortcuts for all kinds of actions. All you have to do is type a slash command (/) followed by some keywords, and voilà! Slack does the heavy lifting. For example, type /away, and just like that, you’ve updated your status to “away” faster than you can say, “Where’s my mouse?”
The beauty of it? You never have to take your fingers off the keyboard. No more fumbling around with a touchpad or mouse. Whether you’re marking yourself as away, setting a reminder, or sending a direct message, these Slack bot commands are your new best friend.
Even better, when you type the / key in any channel or direct message, a handy-dandy menu shows you all the available Slack commands. But hey, why not take it a step further and memorize the ones you use most? It’s like having your cheat codes to level up your productivity. Let’s begin!
1. /remind [@someone or #channel] to [What] [When]
One of the most versatile slack slash commands is the /remind command. It’s a go-to for setting reminders for yourself, teammates, or even entire channels. Whether you need to give a quick nudge, set recurring tasks, or schedule check-ins, this slash command has you covered.
Here’s a guide on how to structure your slash command for reminders, including examples of what to remind someone of and when to set it:
Slack Slash Command | [What] | [When] |
/remind @teammember | Submit the report | Today at 3 PM |
/remind #project-team | Review sprint goals | Every Monday at 9 AM |
/remind me | Take a break | In 30 minutes |
2. /apps
To enhance your Slack experience, the /apps slash command opens up the Slack App Directory, a treasure trove of apps that add extra functionality to Slack. Whether you’re searching for a project management tool or a team wiki, this command will help you find the perfect app.
3. /search [your text]
One of the most frequently used slash commands is the /search command. This powerful tool helps you quickly locate specific Slack messages or shared files.
To use it, type /search followed by your search terms. You can also refine your search with advanced search modifiers to get more precise results:
- from: @name – Find information shared by a particular person.
- to: @yourname – Search direct messages sent to you.
- in: #channel – Look for info shared in a specific channel.
- in: @name – Search messages from a direct conversation with a specific person.
4. /shortcuts
Besides slash commands, Slack has a range of handy keyboard shortcuts that can help you navigate and operate Slack more efficiently. If you ever forget a specific shortcut, simply type /shortcuts to open the keyboard shortcuts panel. This panel will show you all the available shortcuts, so you can quickly get back to work without missing a beat. This Slack command is your go-to for accessing a comprehensive list of shortcuts, making it easier to streamline your workflow and boost your productivity on Slack.
Slack commands to set your availability and status
5. /dnd [some description of time]
Need to dive into focused work without interruptions? The /dnd slash command is here to help. Activating Do Not Disturb (DND) mode silences your Slack notifications, allowing you to concentrate on tasks without constant pings.
When you enable DND mode using this command, your teammates will see a DND icon next to your name, signaling that you’re currently unavailable. However, if someone sends you an urgent direct message, they can override your DND status to ensure you receive critical alerts.
This ,mlm command helps you manage your focus time effectively, striking the right balance between staying undistracted and being available for important communications.
Slack Commands for Channel Management
6. /open [#channel]
Skip scrolling and jump straight to any channel by typing /open followed by the channel name (e.g., /open #team-cs).
7. /collapse or /expand
Clean up your chat window by collapsing all inline image previews with /collapse. If you want them back, use /expand.
8. /join [#channel]
Join a channel by typing /join followed by the channel name to add it to your sidebar.
9. /leave [#channel]
If a channel is no longer relevant, exit by typing /leave followed by the channel name.
10. /mute
Reduce distractions by muting a channel with /mute. Muted channels move to the bottom of your sidebar, and while you won’t receive notifications, you’ll still see a badge if mentioned. To unmute, use the same command.
You can also mute or unmute direct messages or threads using the /mute command.
Slash Commands for Teammate Management
11. /invite @someone [#channel]
Need to add a teammate to a channel? Use /invite followed by their username and the channel name (e.g., /invite @amanda #team-cs). Your teammate will get a notification inviting them to join.
12. /remove or /kick @someone
To remove someone from a channel, type /remove or /kick followed by their username in the channel. They’ll be instantly removed.
13. /who
Curious who’s in the channel? Type /who to see a list of up to 100 members currently in that space.
These Slack commands make managing teammates within channels quick and simple, allowing you to streamline team collaboration.
Ready to Use the Slack Slash Commands?
Mastering Slack commands can greatly improve productivity and streamline tasks for HR professionals. Whether you need to manage channels or quickly find information, slash commands like /open, /search, and /remind make navigating Slack simple and efficient. The /remind command ensures you and your team stay on track, while the /dnd command helps you focus by pausing notifications. You can even customize your experience by exploring Slack’s App Directory using the /apps command.
For those managing teams, slackbot commands such as /invite and /remove make it easy to add or remove team members from channels. And if you need to reduce distractions, the /mute command helps quiet unnecessary chatter without missing important messages. Need to know who’s in the room? The /who command provides a quick roster.
Even small tasks like setting up reminders with slash commands slack, searching through conversations using commands slack, or viewing all keyboard shortcuts with /shortcuts can save you valuable time. With tools like these, HR professionals can take full advantage of Slack’s capabilities, using every command, including Slack and Slack slash commands, to optimize their workflow.