Start a Desktime task with one reaction
A reaction on the message you are ready to act on can start its Desktime timer, keeping the next step close to the conversation.
Trigger
Message Reaction Added
Triggered when a reaction is added to a message in Slack. Supports optional filtering by channel and emoji name.
Action
Start Project Task
Tool to start tracking time for a specified project and optional task. use when you need to begin timing work on a project and optionally tag a task.
Why this helps
Copying a task into a tracker before starting creates small bits of admin that can derail momentum.
- Use a lightweight signal on the relevant conversation.
- Reduce typing before beginning a task.
- Keep the start intent attached to its Slack context.
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 start the matching Desktime task when a chosen Slack reaction is added.
- 3Describe the reaction meaning and how the message identifies the task in one plain-language instruction.
- 4Pick the message reaction added trigger, choose a channel for run reports, and test on one real task message.
Questions about this workflow
Can this be limited to an emoji?
The reaction trigger supports optional filtering by channel and emoji name; the automation instruction can describe what the selected reaction means.
Does reacting to a message always give enough task context?
Use reactions on messages that identify the project or task clearly, so Notis has useful context for starting tracking.
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
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