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Last active April 1, 2026 15:29
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Playbook: Shorthand Notation

Overview

Shorthand and icons usually in slack to quickly indicate tasks and acknowledge text messages. Be kind with these. Shorthand is for when two people work well together and have mutual respect, and where the shorthand serves the purpose of clarity, brevity and maximum communication.

Audience

  • Dan
  • EA

Key Actions / Steps

  • pb:” for something new to add to a playbook
  • td:” todo for something that needs to be done, when you @ someone on the same line then its implied that this is for them to tackle.
  • “em:” new emails
  • q:” a more explicit form of a question.
  • r:” emails requiring a response
  • +” Include in next day’s CEO standup.
  • su: date & time” scheduling standups
  • “todo” or “add” something to remind CEO the next day
  • 👀 Acknowledging that I saw it. It’s not done yet, but I’m seeing this, I don’t have any questions, and I’ll tackle it.
  • ack: Also a more explicit form of acknowledgement request. You might use this when you want to communicate something else too— like perhaps a timeframe in which you’ll tackle it. e.g. “ack by EOD”
  • ✔ It’s done. Also, you can skip the 👀 if it was so quick to do that it’s already done.
  • 👍 I understand. This is more for something that you’re acknowledging, but there’s no action required on your part. Again, skip the 👀 if they’re not needed.

Resources / Tools

  • Slack
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