You can use the `/remind` command in Slack to set reminders for specific times and people.
Available in the free version, it offers various settings including recurring reminders and reminders on specific days.
However, the paid version's workflow builder is more intuitive and convenient. Set reminders cannot be modified; they must be deleted and reset.
Setting reminders in Slack
Setting Reminders in Slack (협업툴, 슬랙(Slack)에서 리마인드(remind) 설정하기)
This guide explains how to set reminders in Slack, a collaborative workspace tool. Slack's reminder feature allows you to schedule notifications for later. In essence, it's a function to remind you of tasks so you don't forget. Recently, paid plans offer a workflow builder, making this feature less crucial for paid users. However, it remains quite useful for free users (e.g., community management).
Usage Conditions
Basic function (available even in the free version)
Similar Functions
Workflow Builder
This is far more intuitive than using the reminder function and makes writing messages much easier.
However, the workflow builder is only available in paid versions (Pro and above).
Please refer to the link for instructions on "Setting notifications using workflow".
Scheduled Messages
For sending one-time messagesusing the "Scheduled Messages" feature is far more intuitive and user-friendly than the reminder function.
You can set reminders for messages. This helps you avoid forgetting conversation details.
Please refer to the link for instructions on "Message Reminders".
Before Creating a Reminder
Reminders can be created in your preferred language.
However, it's recommended to use the American English date and time format.
How to Use
1. Type "/remind" in a channel or DM. ('/r' will also trigger auto-completion).
2. Enter /remind [@someone or #channel] [message] [when] and press Enter.
3. Based on [when], the scheduled message will be sent. Slackbot will send the message to the specified person or channel.
While the instructions seem simple, using the reminder function can be tricky in practice. I once used the reminder function to manage monthly cleaning schedules, and it proved cumbersome and difficult to remember without saving and reusing the content.
Therefore, let's break down the command '/remind [@someone or #channel] [message] [when]' step by step.
[@someone or #channel]
| Usage | Slack Command | Person or Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Send to yourself | /remind | me |
| Send to someone else | /remind | @dylan |
| Send to a channel | /remind | #꿈청_일반채팅 (kcumcheong_general_chat) |
| Send to someone in a channel | /remind | #꿈청_일반채팅 (kcumcheong_general_chat) @dylan |
[message]
It's lunchtime!
Payday is on the 25th.
Please submit payroll data to the accountant by the 23rd.
Documents need to be sent to client A on the 1st of every month.
[when]
| When (Example) | Command |
|---|---|
| Every day | everyday |
| On May 25th | may 25 |
| On Monday | monday |
| On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday | every weekday |
| Every Tuesday | Tuesdays |
| Every Tuesday and Thursday | Tuesdays Thursday |
| Every other Wednesday | every other wednesday |
| In 1 hour | in 1 hour |
| In 15 minutes | in 15 min |
| At 3 PM | at 15:00 |
| MM/DD/YYYY (October 23, 2022) | on 10/23/2022 |
| On the 19th of every month | on the 19th of every month |
| At 10 AM on the 19th of every month | at 10AM on the 19th of every month |
| On the last day of every month | This is not supported. Only the first day of the month works. |
Usage Examples
Let's create some reminders using the table above.
To receive a daily reminder during weekday lunchtimes, you can set it up as follows:
/remind me It's lunchtime! at 11:59 every weekday
If you only specify the date, the default time is 9 AM.
You can combine date and time specifications. For example, you can combine weekdays (every weekday) with a specific time.
Example of using reminders
To remind Michelle in the general chat channel:
/remind #일반채팅 (general_chat) @Michelle The deadline you requested is in one hour. Don't forget! at 14:00 on 10/23/2022
To remind everyone in the #프로젝트_돌핀 (project_dolphin) channel:
/remind #프로젝트_돌핀 (project_dolphin) @here Please upload relevant statistics on the 1st of every month. day of every month
You can use double quotes around the message. Slackbot will recognize this as the message content.
/remind me "Need to call A later" in 25 minutes
To set a reminder for cleaning days every Tuesday and Thursday:
/remind #꿈청_일반채팅 (kcumcheong_general_chat) “It's cleaning day!” at 17:30 every Tuesdays Thursday
※ Copy and paste the '/remind' commands into your Slack chat to try them out.
Other Notes
Type '/remind list' to view your reminder list.
Use this list to check and delete reminders.
Editing is not supported. You need to delete and recreate the reminder.
How to check your reminder list
You can set reminders from any chat window. However, the notification will not be sent to that chat window. You must specify where the reminder should be sent.
When scheduling a reminder for a channel, other users in the channel will see it.If you don't want others to see it, you need to quickly delete the notification message after creating it.
To prevent others from seeing it beforehand, use the " Schedule Message" function.
Setting a reminder in a channel allows others to see it
You cannot send recurring reminders via 1:1 DM to others. This is likely to prevent unwanted spam.
However, you can send reminders to specific people within a channel. This is probably allowed because users can leave the channel if it becomes spammy.
There is a message reminder function. This is slightly different, so I'll cover it in another post.
You can include emojis in the message. Using emojis appropriately can improve readability.