> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.philsimon.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # How to Preserve Your Team's Slack Knowledge Without Upgrading - URL: https://www.philsimon.com/preserve-slack-knowledge/ - Published: 2026-08-24T13:12:05.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-24T15:04:38.000Z - Description: My latest free tool writes the collaboration hub's key decisions and conversations to Notion. - Author: Phil Simon - Tags: GitHub, Slack, Notion, APIs, Open Source, Salesforce, Citizen Development, Faves, SaaS How many organizations and teams use *both* Slack and [Notion](https://www.philsimon.com/psychedelics/)? Given the popularity of each tool, I'd bet that the number is in the hundreds of thousands. Yes, the two apps overlap to a degree, but they fundamentally do different things. Unleashing the full power of both requires two separate and *recurring* software licenses. Such is life in the SaaS world. ## The Limitations of Slack's Free Plan The no-cost tier packs some powerful functionality, but it also constrains users in considerable ways. Most germane here, workspace members can only access the most recent [90 days of message and file history](https://slack.com/help/articles/27204752526611-Feature-limitations-on-the-free-version-of-Slack?ref=philsimon.com). (For more information on Slack's message retention policy, click [here](https://slack.com/help/articles/115002422943-Usage-limits-for-free-workspaces?ref=philsimon.com#:~:text=Workspace%20Owners%20can,and%20Compliance%20Documentation.).) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/08/slack.jpeg) Slack Workspace on Free Plan | Click on the image to enlarge it. This restriction is anything but a minor inconvenience that annoys a few power users. On the contrary, the vast majority of the roughly [10 million Slack users](https://slack.com/intl/pt-cv/blog/news/slack-has-10-million-daily-active-users?ref=philsimon.com) pay *bupkus*. (It's [not even close](https://slack.com/about?ref=philsimon.com), and I suspect that Marc Benioff [would love a Mulligan](https://www.wsj.com/articles/salesforce-customers-not-swayed-by-slack-analysts-say-11672964706?ref=philsimon.com) on Salesforce's $27.7B acquisition of the company in 2020.) If you're currently stuck on Slack's Free plan, your options around old messages and files have traditionally included: 1. Lobbying your management to upgrade. 2. Footing the bill yourself under the radar—aka [shadow IT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow%5FIT?ref=philsimon.com). 3. Getting your IT department to create a fancy export routine. 4. Accepting that limitation. 5. Eschewing Slack altogether and using a minimalist Notion message board. (Here's [my affordable template](https://www.notion.com/templates/simple-public-message-board-965?ref=philsimon.com) that does exactly that.) In a word, [*eh*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htS2zKhTXvI&ref=philsimon.com). Today I'm adding a new option to that list. ## A New Alternative My latest creation is the Public Channel Summarizer. It's a custom Slack app for budget-conscious organizations and teams that want to do all the following: 1. Remain on Slack's Free plan. 2. Preserve their valuable institutional knowledge in Slack *in public channels*. 3. Easily and permanently access that essential information in a Notion database. ## Distribution The PCS app is a fun side project—not a source of potential future revenue. (I lack any desire to set up a dedicated support URL.) As such, you won't find it in [the Slack App Directory](https://ibpa-workspace.slack.com/marketplace?ref=philsimon.com). Rather, I'm open-sourcing it on GitHub. [GO TO THE REPO](https://github.com/philsimon/slack-notion-summarizer?ref=philsimon.com) Do with it what you wish. If you want to rename it, restrict its channels, or change its settings, have at it. ## Using the App Once you set the PCS up, you'll see it in your workspace app directory: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/08/appdirectory.jpeg) Click on the PCS app to view more information about it, just as you would any with other Slack creation: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/08/app.jpeg) Public Channel Summarizer | Click on the image to enlarge it. Once you've finished setting up the app for your workspace, invoke it by running the bespoke Slack command `/summarize`: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/08/slackprompt.jpeg) Slack Message | Click on the image to enlarge it. Hit `Enter` and the magic begins. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/08/slackcommand.png) Slack Summarizer in Action | Click on the image to enlarge it. A few minutes later, *voilà*! The entry exists in a Notion database: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/08/db.png) Notion dB With Slack Summaries | Click on the image to enlarge it. Open up the recap and you see the detail: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/08/SCR-20260821-pgjx.png) Slack Recap, August 21, 2026 | Click on the image to enlarge it. Speaking of Notion, you'll notice a new [Worker](https://www.philsimon.com/early-notion-worker-lessons/) in your workspace: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/08/worker-1.jpeg) Notion Summarizer Worker | Click on the image to enlarge it. ## A Quick Note on Billing Notion Workers don't volunteer their services. Putting them to work requires purchasing Notion credits. The actual number hinges on how frequently you use the app and the amount of dialogue in your public Slack channels. In other words, the PCS app means that you'll continue to pay Salesforce nothing. You will incur, however, extra Notion fees. Simon Workplace Tech Assessment Want a free look into how your team, department, or organization uses its current tools and what it can do better? [LEARN MORE ](https://www.philsimon.com/products-simon-workplace-tech-assessment/) ## Simon Says Odds are you haven't [unlocked the true power of Notion](https://www.philsimon.com/services-notion-development/). What are you waiting for?