Need to set a reminder in Slack? You have several options: Slack's built-in /remind command for quick one-off reminders, Workflow Builder for automated recurring notifications, and dedicated task management apps for structured team workflows. This guide covers all three approaches so you can pick the right one for your situation.
How to set reminders in Slack using /remind
The fastest way to set a reminder in Slack is with the /remind slash command. Type it directly into any message field followed by who should be reminded, what to remember, and when.
The format is: /remind [person or channel] [what] [when]
Here are some examples:
/remind me to review the proposal tomorrow at 9am/remind @lisa to submit the report by end of day Friday/remind #marketing to post the weekly update every Monday at 10am
Once set, Slack will send a notification to the specified person or channel at the designated time. You can also set reminders on existing messages by clicking the three-dot menu on any message and selecting "Remind me about this."
Managing your Slack reminders
To see all your active reminders, type /remind list in any channel. This shows every reminder you have scheduled, with options to mark them as complete or delete them. Slack also lets you snooze reminders when they pop up if you need a bit more time.
Using Workflow Builder for automated reminders
For more sophisticated reminder workflows, Slack's Workflow Builder lets you create automated sequences that trigger on a schedule or in response to events. You can set up workflows that post reminders to channels at regular intervals, collect information through forms, or chain multiple actions together.
Workflow Builder is available on paid Slack plans and is useful when you need reminders that go beyond simple notifications, for example, posting a weekly status update prompt with a form for team members to fill out.
Limitations of built-in Slack reminders
While Slack's /remind command is great for personal nudges and quick notes, it has some limitations when it comes to managing work across a team:
- No way to assign tasks or track who is responsible
- No overview of all reminders across a team
- Reminders are easy to dismiss and forget
- No due dates, descriptions, or subtasks
- No way to see if a reminder was acted upon
For quick personal reminders, the built-in feature works well. But if you need to manage tasks across a team with clear assignments, due dates, and accountability, a dedicated task management app fills the gap.
Using a task management app for Slack reminders
When your needs go beyond simple reminders, a Slack-native task management app like Let's Do turns Slack into a structured workspace for getting things done. With Let's Do, you get:
- Shared to-do lists on Slack channels with assignments and due dates
- Automatic notifications when tasks are assigned or overdue
- Recurring tasks that automatically recreate on a schedule
- Dedicated Slack threads per task for focused discussion
- Personal to-do lists visible only to you
- A team overview showing all tasks, assignments, and deadlines
Unlike basic reminders, tasks in Let's Do stay visible and trackable until they are completed. Team members get notified about new assignments and reminded about approaching deadlines, all without leaving Slack.
Which approach should you use?
The best approach depends on your situation:
- /remind command — Best for personal reminders and quick one-off notifications. Use it when you just need a nudge at a specific time.
- Workflow Builder — Best for automated recurring workflows on paid Slack plans. Use it for scheduled channel posts and form-based check-ins.
- Task management apps — Best for teams that need to track work with assignments, due dates, and accountability. Use it when reminders alone are not enough and you need a complete task management workflow.
Many teams use a combination: /remind for personal nudges, and a task management app like Let's Do for team-wide work tracking. This gives you the best of both worlds, keeping simple things simple while adding structure where it matters.