Build Slack Workflows (2026) | Automation Atlas

How to build Slack Workflow Builder automations

Quick Answer: To build Slack workflows, click the Automations icon in the sidebar, select "New Workflow," choose a trigger (shortcut, form, channel event, or schedule), add steps (send message, collect form data, update channel topic), and publish. Available on all paid Slack plans.

How to Build Slack Workflow Builder Automations

Slack Workflow Builder provides no-code automation for team processes directly within Slack channels.

Step-by-Step Setup

Step 1: Open Workflow Builder

Click the Automations icon in the left sidebar, or go to Tools > Workflow Builder. Click "New Workflow."

Step 2: Choose a Trigger

Select what starts the workflow:

Shortcut: Triggered manually from the channel message composer
New channel message: Fires when a message is posted in a specific channel
Emoji reaction: Fires when a specific emoji is added to a message
Schedule: Runs at a set time (daily standup, weekly report)
Webhook: Triggered by an external service

Step 3: Add Steps

Build the workflow by adding sequential steps:

Send a message: Post a formatted message to a channel or DM
Collect information: Display a form to gather structured input
Send an email: Route information outside Slack
Update channel topic: Modify the channel topic programmatically
Add to a channel: Invite users to a channel automatically
Connector steps: Trigger actions in connected apps (Google Sheets, Jira, Asana)

Step 4: Use Variables

Reference data from previous steps using variables:

Form responses from "Collect information" steps
Triggering user's name, channel, and timestamp
Message content from the triggering event

Step 5: Publish

Click "Publish" to make the workflow available. Share the shortcut in relevant channels.

Common Slack Workflow Examples

Workflow	Trigger	Steps	Use Case
Daily standup	Schedule (9 AM)	Form + summary post	Async standup collection
PTO request	Shortcut	Form + DM to manager + calendar	Leave management
Bug report	Shortcut	Form + create Jira issue + confirm	Bug intake
New hire welcome	Channel join	Welcome message + resource links	Onboarding
Meeting notes	Emoji reaction (:memo:)	Collect notes + post to channel	Documentation

Editor's Note: We built 5 Slack workflows for a 40-person company in 2 hours. The daily standup workflow (scheduled form collection + summary post to #standup) replaced a 15-minute daily meeting, saving 50 person-hours per month. The PTO request workflow eliminated email-based leave requests entirely. Total setup time for all 5: under 2 hours with no coding.