Channels
Team chat built into your workspace.
Channels bring your team's conversations into LumifyHub. No need for a separate chat app - discuss work right where it happens.
Why Use Channels?
- Keep context together - Discussions next to the work they're about
- Find things later - Searchable history, not lost in email
- Stay focused - Organize by topic, project, or team
- Include everyone - Your whole team in one place
- Save money - No separate Slack subscription needed
Types of Channels
Public channels - Open to everyone in your workspace. Great for team-wide topics like #general or #announcements.
Private channels - Invite-only for sensitive discussions. Perfect for leadership conversations or confidential projects.
Direct messages - One-on-one conversations with teammates.
Group DMs - Quick chats with a few people without creating a formal channel.
Getting Started
Click the + next to Channels in your sidebar to create your first channel. Give it a clear name like #marketing-team or #project-launch so everyone knows what it's for.
Creating Channels
Channel names should be descriptive and lowercase. Use hyphens instead of spaces:
- ✅ #website-redesign
- ✅ #q4-planning
- ✅ #random
- ❌ #WebsiteRedesign
- ❌ #Q4 Planning
Add a description to help people understand what the channel is for. This shows up when people browse channels to join.
Choose who to invite when creating the channel. You can always add more people later.
Joining Existing Channels
Can't find a channel you need? Click "Browse channels" to see all public channels in your workspace. Join any that look relevant to your work.
If you see a channel mentioned but can't access it, it might be private. Ask the channel creator to invite you.
Sending Messages
Type your message and hit Enter to send. On mobile, tap the send button.
Formatting Your Messages
Make your messages clearer with formatting:
- Bold text - Wrap text with asterisks
- Italic text - Wrap text with underscores
Code- Wrap text with backticks- Create links by typing URLs
Mentioning People
Type @ followed by someone's name to notify them directly. They'll get a notification even if they're not actively watching the channel.
Examples:
- @sarah can you review this?
- @john what do you think about this approach?
Mentioning Channels
Type # to mention other channels. This creates a clickable link that helps people navigate between related discussions.
Examples:
- Check out the updates in #project-status
- Moving this discussion to #design-feedback
Adding Reactions
Click the emoji button on any message to add a quick reaction. Great for acknowledging messages without adding clutter.
Common reactions:
- 👍 for agreement
- ✅ for "done" or "approved"
- 👀 for "I'm looking into this"
- ❤️ for appreciation
File Sharing
Attach files by clicking the paperclip icon or dragging files directly into the message box. Share:
- Images and screenshots
- Documents and spreadsheets
- Design files and mockups
View all channel files by switching to the Files tab at the top of any channel. Download or delete files as needed.
Files are automatically organized by channel, so you can always find what was shared where.
Using Threads
Start a thread by clicking the reply icon on any message. Threads keep detailed discussions organized without cluttering the main channel.
When to use threads:
- Detailed back-and-forth discussions
- Follow-up questions on announcements
- Side conversations that might distract from the main topic
Keep the main channel for:
- New announcements
- Quick updates
- Starting new topics
Click "X replies" on any message to see or join the conversation thread.
Staying Organized
Channel Naming Strategy
Organize your channels with consistent naming:
By team:
- #marketing
- #engineering
- #sales
- #support
By project:
- #website-launch
- #q4-planning
- #product-beta
- #client-onboarding
By topic:
- #announcements
- #general
- #random
- #industry-news
Managing Channel Members
Add people to private channels through the channel settings. Click the channel name at the top and select "Manage members."
Remove people who no longer need access to keep discussions focused and secure.
Set channel admins to help moderate busy channels and manage membership.
Message Management
Editing Messages
Made a typo? Click the three dots on your message and select "Edit" to fix it. Edited messages show a small "edited" indicator.
Deleting Messages
Delete messages you sent by mistake. Click the three dots and select "Delete." Others won't see deleted messages.
Message History
Free plan: See the last 30 days of messages Pro plan ($8/month per user): Unlimited message history
When you hit the history limit on the free plan, you'll see a banner at the bottom suggesting an upgrade to unlock your full conversation history.
Never Miss Important Messages
Unread Indicators
- Bold channel names show channels with unread messages
- Number badges show unread mention count
- Red dot indicates new activity
Notifications
Mentions always notify you, even if the channel is muted.
Channel notifications can be customized per channel. Mute busy channels but keep important ones active.
Desktop notifications work when LumifyHub is open in your browser. Grant permission when prompted.
Search and Discovery
Search messages using the search bar at the top. Find old decisions, shared files, or specific conversations quickly.
Search works across:
- All message content
- File names and descriptions
- User names and mentions
- Channel names
Mobile Experience
Same features work on mobile as desktop. Switch between channels, send messages, and join threads seamlessly.
Push notifications keep you connected when away from your desk.
Voice messages and quick reactions make mobile conversations natural.
Tips for Better Team Chat
Channel Etiquette
Use threads for discussions longer than 2-3 back-and-forth messages.
@mention sparingly - only when you need that specific person's attention.
Post in relevant channels - don't duplicate messages across multiple channels.
Use clear subject lines when starting new topics in busy channels.
Keeping Channels Active
Pin important messages that everyone should see (like team goals or important links).
Regular check-ins help quiet channels stay engaged.
Archive old channels that are no longer needed to keep your sidebar clean.
Integration with Other Features
Link to documents by mentioning page names with @ - creates clickable links to your workspace docs.
Create tasks from channel messages by copying the message link into your project boards.
Move discussions to dedicated project channels when casual chat becomes serious planning.
Common Questions
Q: Can I join a private channel? A: Only if someone with access invites you. Ask the channel creator or an admin.
Q: How do I leave a channel? A: Click the channel name, go to settings, and select "Leave channel."
Q: Can I get email notifications? A: Yes, configure email notifications in your workspace settings.
Q: What happens to my messages if I'm removed from a channel? A: Your past messages remain, but you can't see new ones or participate.
At $8/month per user, LumifyHub replaces both your team chat tool and your document workspace - saving you money while keeping everything connected.