Set up a project when a Slack initiative begins
Start a project with less admin: use a clear Slack channel announcement to create its Desktime project and an initial task.
Trigger
Channel Message Received
Triggered when a message is posted in a Slack channel (public, private, or multi-party IM). Does NOT match direct messages.
Action
Create Project with Optional Task
Tool to create a new project with an optional initial task. use when you need to set up a new desktime project programmatically.
Why this helps
New initiatives often begin with scattered setup chores, leaving project tracking until after the first work is already underway.
- Create tracking structure close to the project kickoff.
- Reduce repeated setup work for new initiatives.
- Give the first task a clear place to be tracked.
Setup
Build it in a few focused steps.
- 1Connect Slack and Desktime to Notis once in the portal.
- 2Create an automation or ask Notis to create a Desktime project from a Slack project-launch message.
- 3Describe the launch signal and desired project and starter-task names in one plain-language instruction.
- 4Pick the Slack channel message trigger, choose a channel for run reports, and test with one real launch announcement.
Questions about this workflow
Does this run merely because a channel was created?
This workflow is based on a channel message. The separate new-channel-created trigger is available if channel creation itself is your desired signal.
Can the project have an initial task?
Yes. The Desktime action supports creating a project with an optional initial task.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
Supported Triggers and Actions
Notis builds workflows that link Slack to Desktime. A trigger fires from one place; an action lands in another.
Slack triggers
Desktime actions
Recurring trigger
Notis starts this workflow on a schedule, such as daily, weekly, or during business hours.
Create Project with Optional Task
Tool to create a new project with an optional initial task. use when you need to set up a new desktime project programmatically.
Webhook trigger
Notis starts this workflow when an external tool or custom backend sends an HTTP request.
Get Account Details
Tool to retrieve detailed information about the authenticated user's company account. use after confirming the api key is valid to fetch company name, work settings, account timezone, and timestamp.
New Channel Created Trigger
Triggered when a new channel is created in Slack.
Get All Company Employees
Tool to list all employees in the company, including their roles and statuses. use after confirming valid credentials to fetch the organization’s roster.
Channel Message Received
Triggered when a message is posted in a Slack channel (public, private, or multi-party IM). Does NOT match direct messages.
Get Employee Data
Tool to fetch data for all employees within the company. use after verifying the api key is valid.
Direct Message Received
Triggered when a new direct message (DM) is sent to a user in Slack. Catches all DMs across all DM channels.
Get Employee Projects
Tool to retrieve information about projects assigned to employees, including project names, durations, and statuses. use when you need to fetch per-employee project tracking data for a specific date.
Message Reaction Added
Triggered when a reaction is added to a message in Slack. Supports optional filtering by channel and emoji name.
Get Employee Projects and Apps
Tool to retrieve an employee's tracked projects and application usage. use when you need combined project/app time data for a given employee and date (defaults to current user and today). example: "get projects and apps for employee 711867 on 2025-07-28."
Message Reaction Removed
Triggered when a reaction is removed from a message in Slack. Supports optional filtering by channel and emoji name.
Get Projects List
Tool to retrieve all active projects for the company, including related tasks. use when you need projects overview after authentication.
Reaction Added Trigger
DEPRECATED: use `SLACK_MESSAGE_REACTION_ADDED` instead. Triggered when a reaction is added to a message in Slack.
Ping DeskTime API
Tool to check the api's availability and confirm the service is operational. use when you need to verify that the desktime api is reachable and responsive.
Connect any two apps with Notis in the middle.
Slack and Desktime, or any other combination from 1,000+ integrations.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
Save your first hour today.
7-day trial of any paid plan, with 20$ of usage included.
No card. Works with personal or business Desktime.