# Slack Message Formatting Guide

When sending Slack messages via MCP tools, use **standard Markdown** formatting.

## What Works

- `**bold**` and `*italic*`, `_italic_`, `~~strikethrough~~`, `` `inline code` ``
- Code blocks with triple backticks (with or without language tag)
- Unordered lists with `-` dashes (nested lists with indentation work)
- Numbered lists with `1.` style
- Links with `[text](url)` — raw URLs are also auto-unfurled
- Blockquotes with `>`
- Blank lines between paragraphs

## What Does NOT Work (Avoid)

- **Tables** — render as garbled text. Use a Google Doc, Slack canvas, or a simple list instead.
- **Horizontal rules** (`---`, `***`) — not rendered. Use blank lines for separation.
- **Headings** (`#`, `##`) — show as plain text with `#` symbols. Use `**bold text**` on its own line instead.
- **HTML tags** — render as plain text. Use Markdown equivalents.
- **Images** (`![alt](url)`) — no inline display. Alt text shows as a clickable link. Use sparingly and only when necessary.

## Key Rules

- Use standard Markdown `[text](url)` — NOT Slack mrkdwn `<url|text>`
- Use `-` dashes for bullets — NOT `•` unicode bullets
- Use `**bold**` on its own line for section headers — NOT `#` headings
- Use blank lines for separation — NOT horizontal rules