Slack is an online communication platform designed to help people collaborate online as efficiently as you do face-to-face. It’s available through Texas A&M University to all with an @tamu.edu email address.

Getting Started with Slack

Joining Slack / Creating a Slack Account

1. Open a browser and navigate to slack.com/get-started

2. Click Find your workplace

3. Enter your Texas A&M email (ending in @tamu.edu) and click Confirm

4. Check your inbox for a confirmation email from Slack. Open the email and click Confirm Email Address.

5. Next to your workspace’s name, click Join to create an account and sign in

Logging in to Slack

1. Open a browser and navigate to tamu.slack.com

2. Enter your Texas A&M email (ending in @tamu.edu) and Slack password

3. Click the Sign In button

Downloading the Slack App

• Download Slack for Windows

• Download Slack for Mac

• Download Slack for Android

• Download Slack for iOS

Using Slack

Channels

Slack uses channels to organize teamwork and communication. A channel is a single place for a team to share messages, tools, and files on a specific idea or topic.

• Channels can be organized by team, project, or whatever else is relevant

• Channels can be public or private

• Team members can join and be removed from channels as needed

Direct Messages

Direct messages (DMs) are one-to-one conversations between you and another workspace member. Group direct messages (group DMs) are smaller discussions, outside of channels, between you and up to eight other members. 

Message Threads

Use threads for focused and organized side conversations within channels and DMs. Threads allow you to ask questions, give feedback to a specific message, and connect ideas together to preserve meaningful context.

How to start or reply to a thread

1. Hover or tap on message or file you would like to reply to

2. Click or tap the Start a thread (or Reply to thread) icon (speech bubble) 

3. Write a reply of your own to start or join the thread

4. Click or tap Send

Additional Resources

Understanding the Slack App

• Tour the Slack app

• Learn about Slack (video)

Slack How-To’s

• Find and join relevant channels

• Send and read messages

• Access and start direct messages

• Format your messages

Message Privacy

The TAMU Slack instance is on the “standard” plan. Ultimately that means that admins cannot export data from private channels or direct messages.

	Visibility	Who can see my messages or conversations?	Can data be exported?
Open Public Channels	Public	Anyone on a Slack instance can join a public channel and view the messages and files there.	Yes, TAMU Slack admins can export data from public channels.
Open Private Channels	Private	Anyone in a private channel can add a member to the private channel. If a member is added to a private channel, they can view all the messages and files in that channel.	No, the only way TAMU Slack admins can export data from private channels is to contact Slack directly. Slack will reject export requests unless TAMU Slack admins show in each instance (a) valid legal process, or (b) consent of members, or (c) a requirement or right under applicable laws in order to export data.
Direct Messages One-to-One and Group DMs	Private	Only the people (up to eight accounts) in a DM can view the messages in that DM. If new members are added to a DM, a new DM will be created and the message history will not be visible to the new member.	No, the only way TAMU Slack admins can export data from direct messages is to contact Slack directly. Slack will reject export requests unless TAMU Slack admins show in each instance (a) valid legal process, or (b) consent of members, or (c) a requirement or right under applicable laws in order to export data.