From the sidebar, you can access your Slack conversations. You’ll see a list of the channels you’ve joined and your direct messages, notifications of specific conversations, and the option to compose new messages.

• Writing: You can use the writing button to write and send a message to any conversation. Messages are automatically saved as drafts in the Drafts section of the sidebar until you decide to send them.
• Channels: Channels bring together the right people and information for any project, issue or team.
• Notifications: Notifications in Slack are designed to let you know where you’re missing. To do this, they show you an alert if a teammate mentions you. When there’s a new activity, the names of conversations appear in bold in the sidebar.
• Direct messaging: allows you to have specific, one-off conversations that do not require input from the entire channel. Use direct messages for one-off messages or tasks, such as asking your manager a question or arranging a call with a teammate.