Slack Message Formatter

Format content for Slack using their mrkdwn syntax (NOT standard Markdown).

Quick Reference

Slack mrkdwn Syntax

What Slack Does NOT Support

• •**bold** (use *bold* instead)
• •## Headers (use *Bold Text* instead)
• •Tables with | | syntax (not supported at all)
• •Horizontal rules --- (not rendered)
• •Complex ASCII art (gets mangled)
• •Syntax highlighting in code blocks
• •Nested formatting
• •Images via markdown

Conversion Rules

When converting content for Slack:

1. •Headers: Replace ## Header with *Header* (bold)
2. •Bold: Replace **text** with *text*
3. •Tables: Convert to bullet lists or simple text
4. •Diagrams: Simplify to basic ASCII in code blocks, or describe in text
5. •Links: Convert [text](url) to <url|text>
6. •Lists: Use • for bullets, 1. for numbered

Code Block Example

This is a code block in Slack.
No syntax highlighting available.
Keep it simple and readable.

Workflow

When user asks to format for Slack:

1. •Convert the content using rules above
2. •Simplify any tables or complex diagrams
3. •Copy to clipboard using pbcopy (macOS) or xclip (Linux)
4. •Confirm with user that it's ready to paste

Copy to Clipboard Command

# macOS
cat << 'EOF' | pbcopy
Your formatted content here
EOF

# Linux
cat << 'EOF' | xclip -selection clipboard
Your formatted content here
EOF

Example Conversion

Input (Standard Markdown)

## Important Update

**Key changes:**
- Feature A added
- Bug B fixed

| Status | Count |
|--------|-------|
| Done   | 5     |
| Pending| 3     |

Check the [documentation](https://docs.example.com).

Output (Slack mrkdwn)

*Important Update*

*Key changes:*
• Feature A added
• Bug B fixed

*Status:*
• Done: 5
• Pending: 3

Check the <https://docs.example.com|documentation>.

Tips for Good Slack Messages

1. •Keep it short - Slack is for quick communication
2. •Use emoji sparingly - They work but don't overdo it
3. •Code blocks for anything monospace - Diagrams, logs, code
4. •Bold for emphasis - *key point*
5. •Bullet points - Easier to scan than paragraphs
6. •Break up long messages - Use line breaks liberally

Reference Links

For more details on Slack formatting:

• •Official: https://slack.com/help/articles/202288908-Format-your-messages-in-Slack
• •API Reference: https://api.slack.com/reference/surfaces/formatting
• •Markdown Guide: https://www.markdownguide.org/tools/slack/

Common Emoji Shortcodes