> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tightknit.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create Channels and Feeds

> Set up organized Slack channels so members know exactly where to go.

<Info icon="slack">
  **Slack plan:** Works on any plan, including Free.
</Info>

## Create channels in Slack

<Steps>
  <Step title="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**

    <Frame caption="Creating a new Slack channel">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/tightknit/TYwOTIrSThpvMoPX/assets/guides/create_channel.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=TYwOTIrSThpvMoPX&q=85&s=1dbfac51773901ebcc7b5c5cc2a78558" alt="Creating a new Slack channel" width="2704" height="1570" data-path="assets/guides/create_channel.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="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
  </Step>

  <Step title="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)

    <Frame caption="Channel description and topic fields">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/tightknit/GBdFATo__uSskLbD/assets/guides/channel_description.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=GBdFATo__uSskLbD&q=85&s=2817838b92bf237f1e8e3e1bbf69e2c6" alt="Channel description and topic fields" width="1164" height="1284" data-path="assets/guides/channel_description.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="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**.

    <Frame caption="Default channels settings">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/tightknit/GBdFATo__uSskLbD/assets/guides/edit_default_channels.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=GBdFATo__uSskLbD&q=85&s=cc80557bab63157074f506d7c1c780f9" alt="Default channels settings" width="2116" height="1548" data-path="assets/guides/edit_default_channels.png" />
    </Frame>

    **Not sure which channels to create?** Start with these four:

    * `#welcome-start-here` — onboarding, community norms, first post
    * `#announcements` — admin-only updates
    * `#general` — open conversation
    * `#help` — questions and support
  </Step>
</Steps>

### 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 create feeds

**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 community site, syncing messages to the web where members can view and engage outside of Slack.

<Steps>
  <Step title="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**

    <Frame caption="Activating a channel in Tightknit">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/tightknit/TYwOTIrSThpvMoPX/assets/guides/activate_channel.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=TYwOTIrSThpvMoPX&q=85&s=6a566a3d02f417ccc98449ad12b9a885" alt="Activating a channel in Tightknit" width="2724" height="1676" data-path="assets/guides/activate_channel.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a feed">
    Connect your channel to the community 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 community site

    <Frame caption="Feed setup configuration">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/tightknit/TYwOTIrSThpvMoPX/assets/guides/feed_setup.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=TYwOTIrSThpvMoPX&q=85&s=592aea14855a93fc55248819ed5ec1b6" alt="Feed setup configuration" width="2566" height="1480" data-path="assets/guides/feed_setup.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  **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
</Info>

### Quick reference

| Action                           | Result                                                  |
| -------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activate channel only            | Analytics tracking, Slack features enabled, no web sync |
| Activate channel + create feed   | Everything above + messages sync to community site      |
| Enable "Allow posting from site" | Members can post from web (syncs back to Slack)         |


## Related topics

- [Create a Feed](/channels-and-feeds/create-feed.md)
- [Activate a Channel for Tightknit](/channels-and-feeds/activate-channel.md)
- [Getting Started](/channels-and-feeds/getting-started.md)
- [Create a Post or Comment](/slack/posts-and-comments/create-post-or-comment.md)
- [Guides](/guides/index.md)