Threads are particularly useful when you want to contain discussions around specific topics in one place. This includes asking (and answering) detailed questions, and posting updates to earlier messages. Slack gives some examples, how its team has been using Threads:
- When a press article or public announcement is posted in the #pr channel, any discussion takes place in a thread under that post.
- When bugs are reported in our various #triage channels, team members use a threaded discussion to dig into the problem, and then report the fix back into the channel.
- When an upcoming product launch is shared with the sales team in the #sales-announcements channel, people use a thread to ask and answer related questions and link to resources.
Messages with threaded replies will show thumbnails of discussion participants right in the channel, as well as the number of replies posted.
According to Slack’s Product team, message threading has been one of the most challenging features it has built at Slack, partly because it’s rooted in contradiction.
“We want to declutter and organize our channels, but we also want to stay up to date on everything. Untangling this knot has been a two year journey, and we appreciate everyone’s patience.”
Threads are being rolled out over the next few days.
