How to Use Slack-Style Emojis Almost Everywhere
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30 Jun 2017
Key Takeaways
Slack-style
:emoji-shortcuts:can be used system-wide by adding text replacements on macOS or iOS.macOS: System Settings → Keyboard → Text Replacements lets you map shortcuts like
:shrug:to ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.iPhone/iPad: Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement offers the same feature across apps.
These shortcuts work in most writing environments, from email to notes to dev tools — instantly inserting emojis without hunting for the emoji picker.
Keyboard shortcut ⌃ + ⌘ + Space opens the emoji picker anytime if you don’t have a shortcut saved.
Developers can add emoji support directly into editors like Atom, Sublime, or JetBrains IDEs via plugins.
For fun, there’s even Emojicode, a fully emoji-based programming language.
Q&A Highlights
How do I create Slack-style emoji shortcuts on my Mac or iPhone?
Add text replacements.
Mac: System Settings → Keyboard → Text Replacements → add
:emoji:→ 😄iPhone: Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement → add your shortcut.
Does this work everywhere?
Mostly yes — anywhere the OS respects text replacement (Mail, Notes, Messages, editors, browsers). A few apps may override it.
What if I want to use emojis that don’t have shortcuts?
Use the emoji picker: ⌃ + ⌘ + Space on Mac or the emoji keyboard on iPhone.
Can I add emojis while coding?
Yes. Plugins like:
Atom: autocomplete+emojis
Sublime: GithubEmoji
JetBrains: Emoji Support Plugin
Can you actually code with emojis?
You can — thanks to Emojicode, a real, open-source, emoji-only programming language.
Why bother with emoji shortcuts?
Faster expression, consistent tone across apps, and smoother workflows — especially if you’re used to Slack-style typing.
Anyone in the modern workplace is probably familiar with tools like Slack, a team-oriented chat platform for getting things done. One of my favorite features is the emoji shortcut, which allows you to simply type :emoji-name: to insert the corresponding emoji. It makes it really easy to add emotion without hunting for the particular emoji you’re thinking of. After living in Slack for hours every day I found myself trying this shortcut in other apps, which disappointingly didn’t work. I’ve kept an ear to the ground for a solution to this very first-world problem…and finally found one!
But how??
At our last company holiday party, Aydrian mentioned that he had recently added an auto-correct match to his iPhone which replaced shrug with `¯\_(ツ)_/¯`. I loved the idea, so when I got home, I added all my favorite Slack emoji shortcuts to my Mac auto-correct.
To do this on a Mac, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text and then add emoji shortcuts. For an iPhone its the same process, found in Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement .
But does it work ⁉️
I’m pretty happy with how it works. Check it out in action. ?
Hopefully this trick will help you maintain your emoji skills everywhere. Sometimes you’ll want to use an emoji you haven’t added a shortcut for though ? You can keep your emoji-ing in high gear with the keyboard shortcut ctrl + cmd + space ?
