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Keyboard shortcuts, message formatting and search operators, and habits for keeping Slack from taking over your day.
Total Shortcuts: 0
| Category | Action | macOS | Windows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navigate | Quick switcher (jump to channel/DM) | ⌘K | Ctrl+K |
| Navigate | Search | ⌘F | Ctrl+F |
| Navigate | Go to previous/next channel | ⌥⌘↑ / ↓ | Alt+Up / Down |
| Navigate | Go to unread channel | ⌥⇧↑ / ↓ | Alt+Shift+Up / Down |
| Messages | Edit last message | ↑ | Up |
| Messages | Mark all as read | ⇧⎋ | Shift+Esc |
| Messages | Add reaction to last message | ⌘⇧\ | Ctrl+Shift+\ |
| Threads | Open Threads view | ⌘⇧T | Ctrl+Shift+T |
| Channel | Mute current channel | ⌘⇧M | Ctrl+Shift+M |
| Compose | New message | ⌘N | Ctrl+N |
Message Formatting
| Syntax | Result |
|---|---|
*text* | Bold text. |
_text_ | Italic text. |
~text~ | Strikethrough text. |
`code` | Inline code formatting. |
```code block``` | Multi-line code block, monospaced. |
> text | Block quote. |
- item | Bulleted list item. |
Search Operators
from:@name
in:#channel
has:link / has:pin
before: / after:
1
Mute channels you only need to check occasionally
Muted channels still show in the sidebar (unread indicator, no badge) — full context stays available without the notification interruption.
2
Set a Do Not Disturb schedule
Preferences → Notifications → Do Not Disturb — auto-silences notifications outside working hours without manually toggling status every evening.
3
Reserve @channel/@here for genuinely urgent messages
Overusing a mass-notify erodes its usefulness — everyone starts muting or ignoring it once it stops meaning "actually important."
4
Use threads for anything with more than 2 replies
Keeps a channel's main timeline scannable — a long back-and-forth in the main channel buries everything else posted during it.
Quick Tips
Schedule a message for later
The clock icon next to Send lets a message post at a chosen time — useful for respecting a teammate's timezone/working hours.
Huddles are lightweight, no-scheduling audio calls
Faster than starting a formal video meeting for a quick sync — click the headphone icon on any channel or DM.
Workflow Builder automates routine requests
A no-code form-to-message workflow (like an intake request) can replace a repetitive "please fill out this info" ask posted manually every time.