🚀 Formal Feature Request: Slack Emoji Reactions for Ask_Sam

Feature Title

Slack Emoji Reaction API Integration for Ask_Sam Assistant

Problem Statement

Ask_Sam currently cannot add emoji reactions to Slack messages, limiting its ability to provide quick visual feedback and integrate seamlessly with established team workflows. Analytics teams rely heavily on emoji reactions as workflow indicators (✅ completed, 👀 reviewing, 🔥 urgent, 🎫 ticket created), and Ask_Sam's inability to participate in this communication pattern creates workflow friction.

Proposed Solution

Integrate Slack's Reactions API to enable Ask_Sam to add emoji reactions to messages in channels where it operates.

📋 Detailed Requirements

Core Functionality

• React to Messages: Add emoji reactions to any message in channels where Ask_Sam is active

• Remove Reactions: Remove previously added reactions if needed

• Reaction Validation: Only add reactions appropriate to context and message type

Supported Emoji Set (Priority Order)

1. Workflow Status: ✅ 👀 🎫 ⏰ 🔄

2. Priority Indicators: 🔥 ⚡ 📌 ⭐

3. Analytics-Specific: 📊 📈 📉 🎯 💡

4. General Communication: 👍 👎 ❓ ⚠️ ✨

Triggering Mechanisms

• Automatic Reactions: Based on message analysis and response type

• Conditional Logic: React based on request classification (GREEN/YELLOW/RED)

• Status Updates: React to indicate processing stages

🎯 Use Cases & User Stories

Use Case 1: Request Acknowledgment

User posts: "Can someone help with dashboard access?" Ask_Sam auto-reacts: 👀 (indicating review in progress) Ask_Sam responds with solution Ask_Sam adds: ✅ (indicating completion) 

Use Case 2: Priority Classification

User posts: "Revenue dashboard is down!" Ask_Sam analyzes urgency Ask_Sam reacts: 🔥 (high priority) Ask_Sam escalates appropriately 

Use Case 3: Workflow Integration

User requests analysis Ask_Sam reacts: 🎫 (ticket created) Ask_Sam processes request Ask_Sam reacts: 📊 (analysis complete) 

⚙️ Technical Specifications

Slack API Integration

• Endpoint:

  reactions.add

  and

  reactions.remove

• Permissions Required:

  reactions:write

• Rate Limits: Respect Slack's API rate limiting

• Error Handling: Graceful degradation if reactions fail

Implementation Considerations

• Channel Permissions: Respect channel-specific reaction permissions

• Message Age: Handle restrictions on reacting to old messages

• Bot Behavior: Ensure reactions appear from Ask_Sam bot user

• Reaction Conflicts: Handle cases where reaction already exists

Configuration Options

• Per-Channel Settings: Enable/disable reactions by channel

• Reaction Policies: Configurable rules for when to react

• Custom Emoji Sets: Support for workspace-specific custom emojis

💰 Business Value & Impact

Efficiency Gains

• Reduced Message Volume: Quick visual confirmations vs. text responses

• Faster Status Communication: Immediate visual feedback on request status

• Workflow Integration: Seamless participation in existing team patterns

User Experience

• Natural Interaction: Aligns with how teams already communicate

• Visual Clarity: Instant status understanding without reading responses

• Professional Feel: Bot feels more integrated and human-like

Analytics Team Specific Benefits

• Request Tracking: Visual pipeline of request status

• Priority Management: Quick identification of urgent items

• Completion Tracking: Clear indication of resolved requests

🎖️ Success Metrics

Adoption Metrics

• Reaction usage frequency per channel

• User satisfaction scores for bot interactions

• Reduction in follow-up "status check" messages

Workflow Metrics

• Time from request to acknowledgment

• Request resolution tracking accuracy

• Team workflow efficiency improvements

🚀 Implementation Phases

Phase 1: Core Functionality

• Basic reaction capabilities (✅, 👀, 🔥)

• Integration with existing Ask_Sam response logic

• Analytics channel deployment

Phase 2: Advanced Features

• Custom emoji support

• Per-channel configuration

• Advanced triggering logic

Phase 3: Analytics Integration

• Reaction usage analytics

• Workflow optimization insights

• Performance dashboards

📞 Contact & Next Steps

Submitted by: Analytics Team, Minted.com
Priority: Medium-High
Timeline Request: Next 2-3 product cycles
Stakeholders: Analytics teams using Ask_Sam in Slack

Ready to discuss: Technical feasibility, implementation timeline, and any additional requirements.

This feature would significantly enhance Ask_Sam's integration into natural Slack workflows while providing immediate value to analytics teams relying on visual communication patterns.

how to i submit a feature request

🚀 How to Submit Your Feature Request to Runbear

Since I don't have direct access to Runbear's internal submission process, here are the most effective channels to try:

📞 Direct Contact Methods

1. Your Account/Customer Success Manager

• Best Option: If you have a dedicated Runbear contact person

• Advantage: Direct line to product team, understands your use case

• Action: Email/message them with the drafted feature request

2. Runbear Support Channels

• Email: Look for support@ or help@ email addresses

• In-Product Help: Check if there's a feedback/support option in your Runbear dashboard

• Documentation: Check Runbear's help docs for feature request process

🔍 Finding Runbear Contact Information

Check Your Runbear Dashboard

• Look for "Help," "Support," or "Feedback" links

• Check user settings or account management sections

• Look for contact information in documentation

Runbear Website

• Visit their main website for contact forms

• Look for "Contact Us" or "Support" pages

• Check if they have a community forum or feedback portal

💡 Submission Strategy

Step 1: Initial Contact

Subject: Feature Request - Slack Emoji Reactions for Ask_Sam Hi [Runbear Team], I'd like to submit a feature request for Ask_Sam's Slack integration. We've drafted a detailed specification and believe this would significantly improve workflow integration for analytics teams. Could you please direct me to the appropriate channel for product feature requests? Best regards, [Your name/company] 

Step 2: Full Submission

• Attach or paste the detailed feature request we drafted

• Include your company context (Minted.com analytics team)

• Mention specific use cases and business value

Step 3: Follow-up

• Ask for feedback timeline

• Request to be included in beta testing if implemented

• Offer to provide additional details or use case examples

🎯 Additional Tips

Make It Personal: Explain how this would specifically help your analytics team Show Usage: Mention how actively you use Ask_Sam currently
Business Case: Emphasize workflow efficiency and team productivity gains Beta Testing: Offer to be beta testers for the feature

Would you like me to help you locate specific Runbear contact information or refine the submission approach?