Slack helps even the largest groups stay connected, but it can be difficult to follow individual discussions in a busy channel.

Threads to the rescue! This Slack feature makes it easier for everyone to follow conversations—and reduces channel clutter—by grouping replies to a message directly under that message, hiding them until you want to read them.

If a message has a discussion thread, you’ll see a label like “4 replies” directly under the message. Click that text to show the thread in Slack’s right-hand sidebar without losing your position in the main channel.

Here’s how to use threads—and become a better Slack citizen.

To reply in an existing thread, just use the message field in the thread sidebar instead of the one in the main channel.

To reply to a message that doesn’t yet have a thread, move your pointer over the message and click the “Reply in thread” button (it looks like a cartoon text bubble) that appears.

You’ll be notified of new replies to any message or thread you’re a part of. To be notified of replies to any other message or thread, simply move your pointer over the message, click the “More actions” (…) menu that appears, then choose “Get notified about new replies”.

To stop following a thread (including one you started), use the same steps but choose “Turn off notifications for replies”.

Instead of jumping between channels to see your followed threads, browse them all at once by clicking Threads in Slack’s left-hand sidebar (or pressing Shift-Command-T). Threads are listed with newest replies at the top, and Slack bolds the Threads item whenever you have unread messages.