# Turn a Slack Message into a Task with One Emoji

> React to any Slack message with your agency's emoji and Lifted Work creates the task, with the original message and a link attached.

Source: https://www.liftedwork.com/how-tos/slack-reaction-to-task
Published: 2026-02-01
Updated: 2026-09-15

## Overview

React to any Slack message with a specific emoji and a task gets created in Lifted Work automatically. This integration runs through **Zapier**, one of the [available integrations](https://www.liftedwork.com/integrations), which connects your Slack workspace to Lifted Work's API.

## What You Need

- A **Zapier** account (free or paid)
- A Lifted Work account on the **Pro plan** or higher
- Admin access to your Slack workspace

## Setting Up the Zap

1. In Zapier, create a new Zap with the trigger **Slack > New Reaction Added**
2. Choose which emoji reaction triggers the Zap (e.g., `:white_check_mark:`)
3. Add a Lifted Work action to create a task via the API
4. Map the Slack message content to the task title or description
5. Configure which [client](https://www.liftedwork.com/features/client-management-statuses-stats) and **tags** the task should be created under

## What the Zap Does

When someone adds the designated emoji to a Slack message, Zapier:

- Sends the message content to Lifted Work
- Creates a task under the client you configured
- Applies any default tags you set up
- Optionally triggers AI processing on the new task, using the same [Autocomplete setting](https://www.liftedwork.com/how-tos/how-to-create-task) you would set by hand

## Tips

- Use a distinctive emoji that your team won't accidentally trigger
- Set up a Zapier filter to limit which Slack channels are monitored
- Add the original Slack message link to the task description for context

## Frequently asked questions

### Can a Slack emoji reaction create a task automatically?

Yes. A Zapier workflow can watch for a chosen reaction, take the Slack message text and link, and create a Lifted Work task with the client and tags you configure.

### How do we stop accidental Slack reactions from creating tasks?

Choose an uncommon emoji, restrict the Zap to specific channels, and add filters for the reacting user or message content if needed. Test with the Zap turned off before enabling it for the whole workspace.

### How should a Slack-created task keep the original context?

Include the message text, author, channel, and permanent Slack link in the task instructions. The task title can summarize the request, but the source link lets the assignee verify the full thread before acting.