Slack emoji usage and best practices
Custom emoji
Emoji are an important part of our communication within Slack. You are welcome to add custom emoji. Keep in mind that interactions in Slack are covered by our Code of Conduct, including emoji. Please be thoughtful and mindful about emoji submissions and ensure they're in line with our values of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Before requesting emoji featuring TTS members' faces, family, pets, etc., please request consent from those featured. Emoji reviewers are required to check that consent was obtained.
Square images under 128KB and with transparent backgrounds work best. Images can be in JPG, PNG, or GIF format.
Per GSA Directive, new emoji must be reviewed before use.
Creating a custom emoji
To get approval for a custom emoji:
- Upload the image to our Slack in a public channel and copy the direct URL of the image. #transient is a good place for this (as well as to test other Slack features). Using a link to the image somewhere else on the web will cause extra work for our Slack admins.
- Open #emoji-showcase in Slack
- Click on the Shortcuts button to the left of the message field (blue lightning bolt icon), select "Request new emoji"
- Fill out the form (name and direct URL of the image within Slack) and click submit
Once approved, your new emoji will be published to #emoji-showcase.
Reviewing custom emoji
If you'd like to help review emoji, reach out to #tts-tech-portfolio.
Frequently used emoji
Emojis can contain a lot of community-specific meaning, so please don't hesitate to ask someone what they meant by an emoji.
We encourage you to use emoji as accents in your messages and to type the original word, too. For example, instead of saying:
I saw the :rocket: and it was :amaze:
say:
I saw the rocket launch :rocket: and it was amazing :amaze:
That makes it easier for people to understand what you mean: we do not all necessarily have a shared understanding of an emoji.
Here are some emoji that are commonly used across TTS as shorthand, often added as reactions to messages:
| Emoji | Meaning | Backstory |
|---|---|---|
:100: |
"This comment is 100% correct" or "I agree 100%" | |
:angel: |
"Yay, a meeting was cancelled!" | "Every time a meeting is cancelled, an angel gets its wings." |
:check: |
"I did this" or "I verified it was done" | |
:evergreen_tree: |
"This might make a good contribution to the TTS Handbook" | #2828, Evergreen bot (deprecated) |
:eyes: |
"I'm taking a look at this." When followed by a ?, it's "can you/someone take a look at this?" |
|
:facepalm: |
Disbelief, shame, or exasperation. | KnowYourMeme |
:kidding-foia: |
Since Slack records are retained and subject to FOIA requests, indicate to any potential future readers that this was a joke. | |
:plus: |
"I agree" | |
:point_up: |
"I would also say this." Can mean "this is correct" if you are the decider. | |
:popcorn: |
"I am interested to see where this goes." This is often applied to comments where spirited conversation is expected to follow. | |
:question: |
"I don't understand this" or "this needs follow-up" | |
:raccoon: ==> #channel |
"Please consider moving this conversation to a different channel." | Slack |
:raised_hand: |
"I volunteer" | |
:raising_hand: |
"Have time for a question?" Keep in mind that many folks strongly prefer that you also add what your question is about so they can determine its urgency. | |
:shipit: |
"Ship it", "this is ready to go", etc. | GitHub |
:thanks: |
A picture of Tom Hanks (T. Hanks -> thanks) used as a shortcut to say "thanks" | |
:thumbsup: |
"Sounds good" | |
:troll:/:trollcute: |
"I'm intentionally trolling you" or making a joke |
