Documentation/Slack Integration

Slack Integration

Capture ideas from Slack with emoji reactions

Overview

The IdeaLift Slack integration lets your team capture ideas, feature requests, and feedback directly from Slack conversations. Simply react to any message with a lightbulb emoji, and IdeaLift will automatically create an idea that you can push to GitHub, Linear, or Jira.

1 Emoji
To capture any idea
AI-Powered
Automatic formatting
3 Destinations
GitHub, Linear, Jira

Getting Started

1Create an IdeaLift Account

Sign up for IdeaLift using your email, Google, or GitHub account.

Create Account

2Add IdeaLift to Slack

Click the button below to add IdeaLift to your Slack workspace. You'll need to be a Slack admin or have permission to install apps.

Add to Slack

3Connect Your Issue Tracker

In your IdeaLift dashboard, connect one or more destinations for your ideas:

  • ✓GitHub - Create issues in any repository
  • ✓Linear - Create issues in any team
  • ✓Jira - Create issues in any project

4Start Capturing Ideas

React to any Slack message with the lightbulb emoji (💡) to capture it as an idea. IdeaLift will automatically format the content and send you a confirmation.

How to Capture Ideas

Method 1: Emoji Reaction

The fastest way to capture an idea is to react to any message with the lightbulb emoji (💡):

  1. 1.Find a message containing an idea, feature request, or feedback
  2. 2.React to the message with 💡 (lightbulb emoji)
  3. 3.IdeaLift captures the message and sends a confirmation
  4. 4.View and manage the idea in your dashboard

Tip: Any team member can react to capture ideas. The original author will be credited automatically.

Method 2: Slash Command

Use the /idea capture command to summarize recent messages:

  1. 1.Type /idea capture in any channel
  2. 2.Optionally add a number: /idea capture 20 to capture last 20 messages
  3. 3.IdeaLift uses AI to summarize the conversation into a structured idea

Note: Only the AI-generated summary is stored, not the original messages. Your chat history remains private.

Slash Commands

/idea helpShow all IdeaLift commands and how to use them
/idea capture [count]Summarize the last N messages as an idea (default: 10)
/idea statusCheck your workspace connection status
/idea connectLink your Slack workspace to your IdeaLift account

What Gets Captured

When you capture a Slack message, IdeaLift extracts and processes:

Captured

  • ✓ Message text content
  • ✓ URLs and links mentioned
  • ✓ Author name and avatar
  • ✓ Channel name (for context)
  • ✓ Timestamp
  • ✓ Thread context (if applicable)
  • ✓ Attached images (URLs)

Not Captured

  • ✗ Full chat history
  • ✗ Private/DM messages (unless shared)
  • ✗ File attachments (only URLs)
  • ✗ Reactions from others
  • ✗ Message edits history

AI-Powered Features

Automatic Formatting

IdeaLift uses AI to clean up and format captured messages into well-structured ideas. This includes extracting the core request, adding context, and formatting for your issue tracker.

Duplicate Detection

When you capture an idea, IdeaLift checks for similar existing ideas in your workspace to prevent duplicates. If a similar idea exists, you'll be notified and can choose to merge or create a new one.

Smart Categorization

IdeaLift automatically suggests categories (Feature, Bug, Improvement, etc.) based on the content of the captured message.

Permissions

IdeaLift requests the following Slack permissions:

  • ✓channels:history - Read messages in public channels to capture ideas
  • ✓channels:read - View basic channel information
  • ✓chat:write - Send confirmation messages when ideas are captured
  • ✓commands - Enable slash commands like /idea
  • ✓reactions:read - Detect lightbulb reactions for idea capture
  • ✓users:read - Get author information for attribution
  • ✓team:read - Get workspace information for connection

Privacy Note: IdeaLift only reads messages when you explicitly capture them with an emoji reaction or slash command. We do not store or process your general chat history.

Troubleshooting

Emoji reaction not working

Make sure IdeaLift is installed in your workspace and invited to the channel. Try running /idea status to check the connection.

Bot not responding to commands

Ensure IdeaLift has been added to the channel. Type @IdeaLift to invite the bot, or use the channel settings to add the app.

"Workspace not connected" error

Your Slack workspace needs to be linked to an IdeaLift account. Log in to IdeaLift, go to Dashboard → Connections, and connect your Slack workspace.

Can't capture from private channels

IdeaLift needs to be invited to private channels to work there. Add the IdeaLift app to the channel through channel settings → Integrations → Add apps.

Need Help?

We're here to help you get the most out of IdeaLift for Slack:

Email SupportSupport Center