Channels
Create public spaces where your whole team can collaborate and stay in the loop.
Channels are public chat rooms where everyone on your team can join, share ideas, and stay updated. Think of them like conference rooms that are always open - perfect for project discussions, announcements, or just chatting with colleagues.
Why Use Channels?
- Everyone stays informed - Public conversations mean no one misses important updates
- Organize by topic - Create channels for projects, departments, or interests
- Easy to join - Team members can discover and join any public channel
- Share files instantly - Drop documents, images, and files right in the conversation
- Search everything - Find old messages, files, and decisions from months ago
Getting Started
Click the + button next to "Channels" in your chat sidebar, give your channel a name (like #marketing or #project-launch), and invite your teammates. Everyone can see public channels and join whenever they want.
Creating Channels
Name your channels with clear, searchable topics:
- #general - Team-wide announcements and casual chat
- #project-alpha - Specific project discussions
- #marketing - Department conversations
- #random - Fun, off-topic conversations
Keep descriptions short but helpful so people know what the channel is for.
Joining Channels
See all available channels by clicking "Browse channels" in your sidebar. Join any that look relevant - you can always leave later if they're not useful. When you're mentioned in a channel you haven't joined yet, you'll see a banner to join with one click.
Files and History
Every channel automatically saves all messages and files shared there. Switch to the Files tab to see everything your team has shared, download files, or clean up old uploads. On the free plan, you can see the last 30 days of history - upgrade to Pro for unlimited history.
Tips
- Pin important messages - Right-click any message to pin it for easy reference
- Use @mentions - Type @ followed by someone's name to get their attention
- Reference other channels - Type # to mention other channels in your message
- Keep it organized - Create specific channels rather than discussing everything in #general