1. Create a new channel
- In your Slack sidebar, click the + icon next to Channels
- Name your channel using lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens (e.g.,
welcome-start-here,general,help) - Choose privacy:
- Public: Anyone in the workspace can find and join
- Private: Only invited members can access (note: private channels cannot have Tightknit feeds)
- Click Create, then Done
2. Set posting permissions
- Open the channel and click the channel name at the top
- Go to the Settings tab
- Under Posting permissions, choose:
- Everyone: All members can post (default)
- Admins only: Restrict posting to admins and owners
3. Add a description and topic
- Open the channel and click the channel name at the top
- Click Edit next to the description field
- Add:
- Description: Permanent explanation (appears in channel browser)
- Topic: Dynamic updates or current focus (appears below channel name)
4. Set up default channels
New members are automatically added to default channels when they join. Set these now so every member lands in the right place from day one.- In Workspace settings, find Default Channels and click Expand
#welcome-start-here— onboarding, community norms, first post#announcements— admin-only updates#general— open conversation#help— questions and support
Description template
Purpose: [One sentence explaining what this channel is for] Post here: [Types of content that belong] Don’t post here: [What to avoid or where to go instead]
Example: #welcome-start-here Purpose: Your first stop in this community. Post here: Introduce yourself, ask how things work. Don’t post here: Support questions (use #help).
Activate Channels and Feeds
What’s the Difference?
Activating a Channel enables Tightknit to track activity, provide analytics, and use Slack features (polls, anonymous posting, etc.) in that channel. The channel content stays in Slack only. Creating a Feed connects an activated channel to your companion site, syncing messages to the web where members can view and engage outside of Slack.Activate a Channel
- Open the Tightknit app in Slack
- Go to the Home tab and scroll to Feed Setup or Channels
- Click + Add Channel and select your channel
- Click Submit
Create a Feed
Connect your channel to the Companion Site- In the Tightknit app Home tab, scroll to Feed Setup
- Click Create Feed and select an activated channel
- Name your feed (this appears in your site’s navigation)
- Configure settings:
- Message sync: Sync all messages or manually select
- Display mode: Blog view or discussion view
- Posting permissions: Enable posting from site if needed
- Click Continue and verify the feed on your companion site
Important Notes
- Private channels can be activated for analytics, but cannot have feeds (content won’t sync to the public site)
- Announcements channels: Set posting permissions to “admins only” before activating
- You must activate a channel before creating a feed for it
- Feeds appear in your site’s navigation sidebar using the feed name you chose
Quick Reference
| Action | Result |
|---|---|
| Activate channel only | Analytics tracking, Slack features enabled, no web sync |
| Activate channel + Create feed | Everything above + messages sync to companion site |
| Enable “Allow posting from site” | Members can post from web (syncs back to Slack) |