Block focus time with a single Slack reaction
You see a message in Slack and decide you need to focus on that topic. Instead of opening Calendar and creating an event, just react with a clock emoji. Notis creates the focus block for you.
Trigger
Message Reaction Added
Triggered when a reaction is added to a message in Slack. Supports optional filtering by channel and emoji name.
Action
Create Event
Creates an event on a google calendar, needing rfc3339 utc start/end times (end after start) and write access to the calendar. by default, adds the organizer as an attendee unless exclude organizer is set to true.
Why this helps
Deep work gets interrupted because you intend to focus but never formally block time. You tell yourself you'll open Calendar 'in a second' but by then you're in Slack again, and the moment is lost.
- Lower friction to blocking time: one emoji reaction vs. three taps to open Calendar
- Create focus blocks instantly without leaving Slack
- Build a reflex: react with emoji = calendar block set
Setup
Build it in a few focused steps.
- 1Connect Slack and Google Calendar to Notis
- 2Create an automation: 'When I react with a clock emoji to any message, block 90 minutes on my calendar'
- 3Choose a 90-minute or custom duration—or ask Notis to ask you each time
- 4Pick the emoji and test by reacting to a message in any channel
Questions about this workflow
What emoji should I use?
You can pick any emoji you'll remember—common choices are 🕐 clock, 🟢 green dot, or 🔴 red dot for focus time.
Can I change the duration each time?
Yes. You can ask Notis to prompt you for a duration when you react, or set a default (like 60 or 90 minutes) that applies every time.
What if I react by accident?
You can undo it in Slack (remove the reaction) and Notis will delete the calendar block, or you can keep the block and edit it in Calendar.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
Supported Triggers and Actions
Notis builds workflows that link Slack to Google Calendar. A trigger fires from one place; an action lands in another.
Slack triggers
Google Calendar actions
New Channel Created Trigger
Triggered when a new channel is created in Slack.
Insert Calendar into List
Inserts an existing calendar into the user's calendar list.
Channel Message Received
Triggered when a message is posted in a Slack channel (public, private, or multi-party IM). Does NOT match direct messages.
Update Calendar List Entry
Updates an existing entry on the user\'s calendar list.
Direct Message Received
Triggered when a new direct message (DM) is sent to a user in Slack. Catches all DMs across all DM channels.
Delete Calendar
Deletes a secondary calendar. use calendars.clear for clearing all events on primary calendars.
Message Reaction Added
Triggered when a reaction is added to a message in Slack. Supports optional filtering by channel and emoji name.
Update Calendar
Updates metadata for a calendar.
Message Reaction Removed
Triggered when a reaction is removed from a message in Slack. Supports optional filtering by channel and emoji name.
Clear Calendar
Clears a primary calendar. this operation deletes all events associated with the primary calendar of an account.
Reaction Added Trigger
DEPRECATED: use `SLACK_MESSAGE_REACTION_ADDED` instead. Triggered when a reaction is added to a message in Slack.
Create Event
Creates an event on a google calendar, needing rfc3339 utc start/end times (end after start) and write access to the calendar. by default, adds the organizer as an attendee unless exclude organizer is set to true.
Reaction Removed Trigger
DEPRECATED: use `SLACK_MESSAGE_REACTION_REMOVED` instead. Triggered when a reaction is removed from a message.
Delete event
Deletes a specified event by `event id` from a google calendar (`calendar id`); this action is idempotent and raises a 404 error if the event is not found.
New Bot Message Received Trigger
DEPRECATED: use `SLACK_CHANNEL_MESSAGE_RECEIVED` with `is_bot_message=true` instead. Triggered when a new bot message is posted to a Slack channel.
Create a calendar
Creates a new, empty google calendar with the specified title (summary).
Connect any two apps with Notis in the middle.
Not just Slack and Google Calendar. Any combination from 985+ integrations.
When this happens · Trigger
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