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

# Step: Message

> Send automated messages to users, managers, or Slack channels as part of your track.

The **Message** step sends automated messages to specific recipients as part of your track. Use it for welcome notes, reminders, manager updates, team announcements, and more. Messages support Slack formatting and personalization with placeholders.

## ⚙️ Configuration

### Message Content

Write your message using Slack's rich text editor. You can use formatting like **bold**, *italic*, bullet points, links, and emojis.

### Placeholders

Personalize messages with dynamic placeholders:

| Placeholder   | Inserts                            |
| ------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| `{{user}}`    | The track participant's name       |
| `{{manager}}` | The participant's manager          |
| `{{mentor}}`  | The assigned mentor (if available) |

**Example:**

```
Hi {{user}}! 👋

Welcome to the team! Your manager {{manager}} will reach out 
to schedule your first 1:1 this week.
```

## 📍 Destination

Choose where the message will be sent:

| Destination         | Description                                               | Example                                   |
| ------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| **User**            | Direct message to the track participant                   | Welcome message on day 1                  |
| **Manager**         | Participant's manager (requires manager configured)       | "\{\{user}} completed week 1"             |
| **Specific People** | Choose individual Slack users                             | Notify IT when new hire starts            |
| **Slack Channel**   | Post to a channel (bot must be a member)                  | Announce new hires in #team               |
| **Mentor**          | Assigned mentor (requires mentor assignment step earlier) | "Here's a guide for mentoring \{\{user}}" |
| **Mentor & User**   | Group DM to both mentor and mentee                        | "Schedule your first 1:1!"                |

## ⏰ Schedule Settings

Control when the message is sent:

* **Immediate**: Leave blank to send when the step is triggered
* **Scheduled**: Select a specific time (e.g., 9:00 AM), based on recipient's timezone

## ⭐ Best Practices

1. **Start with a greeting**: Use `{{user}}` to personalize
2. **Be concise**: Get to the point; respect people's time
3. **Bold action items**: Make it clear what they need to do
4. **Add warmth**: Emojis help automated messages feel human
5. **End with next steps**: Tell them what to expect

<Tip>See [Track Examples](/tracks/track-examples) for complete track templates using messages.</Tip>

## 🎯 Common Use Cases

* **Onboarding Welcome**: Greet new team members on day 1
* **Manager Updates**: Keep managers informed about their reports' progress
* **Milestone Celebrations**: Celebrate 30, 60, 90-day completions
* **Team Announcements**: Announce new hires to channels
* **Pre-Survey Context**: Explain why a survey is coming

## 🔗 Related Steps

* [Step: Delay](/tracks/steps/delay) - Add time gaps between messages
* [Step: Poll](/tracks/steps/poll) - Collect quick feedback after a message
* [Step: Survey](/tracks/steps/survey) - Gather detailed feedback
* [Step: Mentor Assignment](/tracks/steps/mentor-assignment) - Enable mentor destinations