slack-formatting

Slack Message Formatting (mrkdwn)

When responding to Slack channels, use Slack's mrkdwn syntax instead of standard Markdown.

How to detect Slack context

Check your group folder name or workspace path:

• Folder starts with slack_ (e.g., slack_engineering, slack_general)
• Or check /workspace/group/ path for slack_ prefix

Formatting reference

Text styles

| Style | Syntax | Example | |-------|--------|---------| | Bold | text | bold text | | Italic | _text_ | _italic text_ | | Strikethrough | ~text~ | ~strikethrough~ | | Code (inline) | ` code | inline code | | Code block | ``code` | Multi-line code |

Links and mentions

<https://example.com|Link text>     # Named link
<https://example.com>                # Auto-linked URL
<@U1234567890>                       # Mention user by ID
<#C1234567890>                       # Mention channel by ID
<!here>                              # @here
<!channel>                           # @channel

Lists

Slack supports simple bullet lists but NOT numbered lists:

• First item
• Second item
• Third item

Use • (bullet character) or - or * for bullets.

Block quotes

> This is a block quote
> It can span multiple lines

Emoji

Use standard emoji shortcodes: :white_check_mark:, :x:, :rocket:, :tada:

What NOT to use

• NO ## headings (use Bold text for headers instead)
• NO double asterisks for bold (use single asterisks)
• NO [text](url) links (use <url|text> instead)
• NO 1. numbered lists (use bullets with numbers: • 1. First)
• NO tables (use code blocks or plain text alignment)
• NO --- horizontal rules

Example message

*Daily Standup Summary*

_March 21, 2026_

• *Completed:* Fixed authentication bug in login flow
• *In Progress:* Building new dashboard widgets
• *Blocked:* Waiting on API access from DevOps

> Next sync: Monday 10am

:white_check_mark: All tests passing | <https://ci.example.com/builds/123|View Build>

Quick rules

1. Use bold not bold
2. Use <url|text> not [text](url)
3. Use • bullets, avoid numbered lists
4. Use :emoji: shortcodes
5. Quote blocks with >
6. Skip headings — use bold text instead