Easy Tech TutsHow to Use Threads on Slack Easily 2026
By Impran M N
Busy Slack channels can quickly turn into a wall of unrelated messages once several conversations happen at once. This guide walks through how threads let you reply to a specific message without cluttering the main channel, and how to keep track of the threads you're following. You'll come away knowing how to start a thread, notify the whole channel when needed, and manage notifications so replies don't pile up unread.
01Open a channel and find a message to reply to
Head into any public or private channel and hover over the message you want to respond to directly, rather than posting a new top-level message.
02Click Reply in Thread
Hovering over a message reveals a speech-bubble icon. Clicking it opens a side panel where your reply stays attached to that specific message instead of appearing in the main feed.
03Type your reply and decide whether to notify the channel
Write your response in the thread panel. If the update is important enough for everyone to see, check the 'Also send to channel' option before sending so it posts a copy to the main feed too.
04Use the Threads view to keep up with active conversations
Open the Threads section in your left sidebar to see every thread you're part of in one place, so you don't have to hunt through individual channels to catch up.
05Manage notifications and unfollow stale threads
Once a thread is resolved or no longer relevant, unfollow it from the Threads view to stop receiving alerts for messages you no longer need to track.
Frequently asked questions
Do people get notified when I reply in a thread?
Only people already following that thread are notified by default, unless you also check 'Also send to channel', which posts a copy visible to everyone in the channel.
Can I turn a thread reply into a normal channel message later?
You can't convert an existing thread reply, but you can always send a new message directly to the channel if you want it visible outside the thread.
Why can't I find a thread I replied to earlier?
Check the dedicated Threads view in your sidebar, which lists every thread you've participated in or are following, even across different channels.
Does using threads cost extra on Slack?
No, threading is a core Slack feature available on every plan, including the free tier.
Watch the full walkthrough
The same steps, demonstrated on screen from start to finish.
