- This project is dedicated to finding solutions that automate notifications to the optimism fractal discord when the notion site is updated
- It also includes many related ideas to increase the customizability and legibility of notifications when updates are made in notion
The document discusses reviewing Slack permissions and solutions for limiting access to certain pages or groups of pages within Notion. It mentions that Notion's integration permissions are not granular enough to restrict access to specific pages, but suggests workarounds such as using separate workspaces, page locking, or utilizing the Notion API for more tailored integrations. It also advises providing feedback to Notion for future updates. Additionally, the document explores the possibility of setting up connections for a particular teamspace and provides instructions on using the Notion API to selectively share pages with integrations. It concludes with information on Zapier pricing and how to restrict access for connections like Zapier or Slack to a teamspace.
The document discusses the possibility of granting admin access to a teamspace without giving access to the entire workspace. However, no further information or details are provided.
Consider creating a separate workspace for Optimism Fractal to address issues with permissions, URL, page duplication, and payment for membership. However, there are downsides such as difficulty in linking pages, searching across workspaces, and exporting multiple workspaces simultaneously. Further investigation and consultation with chatgpt and/or Notion help/forums are recommended.
Test out Slack with the new Optimism Fractal workspace and see how it works. The task is not started yet.
Integrating Notion with Slack, Discord, and Telegram can enhance collaboration and keep everyone updated. Slack integration allows automatic posting of messages, while Discord and Telegram require third-party automation tools. Notion's built-in notifications require manual setup, and automating notifications for all pages is not currently supported. Costs for using Discord or Telegram with Zapier vary, and the overall experience depends on the platform. Notion and Charmverse serve different purposes, with Notion being a versatile workspace and Charmverse tailored for DAOs with blockchain-based features like token gating and proposal systems.
Add a note at the top of the optimism fractal page informing people that they can receive updates by enabling notifications for each page, in addition to using Slack, Discord, or Telegram.
Navigating Notion's notification settings, especially in a community workspace with many members, requires understanding both the default behaviors and the options available for customization. Notifications in Notion are triggered by comments, mentions, and page updates. Access to a page and whether it has been opened or not does not affect notifications. Users given access to a parent page do not automatically receive notifications for child pages. By default, when invited to a page, users are set to follow it and receive notifications for comments and mentions. Notion does not offer a global setting for adjusting default notification settings, but admins can guide users on managing their preferences. Best practices for managing notifications include providing education and guidelines, using mentions judiciously, and regularly reviewing and adjusting follow settings. When inviting people to a workspace with many subpages, they do not automatically receive notifications for comments on each subpage. Educating invitees on managing notifications can be done through a welcome guide, initial setup meetings, customizing default follow settings, and regular check-ins.
Notion can integrate with Discord using third-party services like Zapier or Integromat to post updates from Notion to a Discord channel. Notion provides a version history feature to track changes, but subscribing to a page for notifications is limited to within Notion. Customizing notifications and subscribing to projects and tasks may require additional integration tools. Explore Notion's API and platforms like Zapier or Integromat for setup instructions and capabilities.
Set up a Pipedream account and test connecting Notion with Slack, Discord, and Telegram. Review and add notes from unspecified sources.
This document discusses considerations for designing the user experience and flow of sending out events via API from Notion to Snapshot or Tally. It explores the possibility of limited voting in Snapshot, sending notifications in Discord, updating Notion properties with votes from Snapshot, and using platforms like dework.xyz. It also raises questions about the readiness of Snapshot and the use of on-chain or off-chain solutions. Additionally, it suggests using different spaces if the subspaces approach is complicated and inquires about signing into Snapshot with account abstraction smart accounts.
Related Set up Siri Reminders with Notion Tasks database via Shortcuts and Notion API
Thank you. I'm now wondering a couple different things. One, do you have to say something in particular to Siri other than just remind me blank? Like, do you have to say remind me to send this to Notion or remind me on Notion or something like that? And is that something that's configurable? Because it kind of sounded like that from the way you said, I'm not sure. And then I'm also wondering how easy or how difficult is it to use the API? Because is that definitely the best way to do it? And is that, like, the instructions you provide seem pretty simple. So it seems like there's not really much more involved other than if I just follow the instructions provided, I could probably do it in maybe a few minutes. Is that correct? And then I'm also wondering, are there uses of Notion API? Like, for example, if I wanted to use Zapier to send a message automatically or a notification to Discord or Telegram from an updated Notion, then are those all quite simple, too? Or do you need to know some programming or some extra skills? I've heard about OAuth, too, and I'm not sure exactly what that means. So I'm wondering about the complexity and time involved to actually set up these integrations with shortcuts in Siri and also other apps like Zapier with the Notion API.
Let's break down your questions to make everything clear.
Customizing Siri Phrases with Shortcuts
When you create a shortcut in the Shortcuts app, you can name it whatever you like, such as "Add to Notion" or "Notion Reminder." This name becomes the phrase you'll use with Siri. So, if your shortcut is named "Add to Notion," you would activate Siri and say, "Hey Siri, Add to Notion," followed by your reminder. This is configurable, and you can set it to something that feels natural to you. The key is to use the name of the shortcut as your phrase with Siri.
Using the Notion API
Regarding the complexity of using the Notion API, it's designed to be developer-friendly, but having some basic understanding of APIs and JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) can be very helpful. The steps I outlined are simplified to give you a general idea, but here's a bit more detail:
- Authentication: You'll need to handle authentication by including your API key in the request headers. This is how Notion verifies that you're allowed to access and modify your database.
- Making Requests: The actual request will involve formatting your data as JSON in the body of your request. This is where you specify the content of your reminder and any other properties you want to set.
The process might take a bit longer than a few minutes if you're new to APIs, as you'll need to familiarize yourself with Notion's API documentation and possibly debug your first few attempts. However, for someone with some experience or willingness to learn, it's quite manageable.
Integrations with Zapier and Using OAuth
For connecting Notion with other apps like Discord or Telegram, using a service like Zapier can simplify the process. Zapier acts as a middleman that can take updates from your Notion database and then trigger actions in other apps, like sending a message. This process doesn't necessarily require programming skills, as Zapier provides a user-friendly interface to set up these automations.
- OAuth: OAuth is a standard for access delegation, used as a way for users to grant websites or applications access to their information on other websites but without giving them the passwords. In the context of Notion or Zapier, OAuth allows these services to securely communicate and transfer data on your behalf. If you're using Zapier, the platform will handle the OAuth flow for you, so you don't need to understand the technical details to set up your integrations.
Complexity and Time Investment
Setting up these integrations can range from straightforward to complex, depending on what you're trying to achieve and your familiarity with the tools involved:
- Shortcuts and Siri Integration: Relatively easy and can be set up with some trial and error by following instructions or tutorials. No programming knowledge is required, just some familiarity with iOS and the Shortcuts app.
- Notion API for Custom Integrations: This requires some programming knowledge or willingness to learn about APIs. The complexity can vary based on what you're trying to achieve. For basic operations, following examples and documentation might be enough.
- Zapier Integrations: These are designed to be user-friendly and don't typically require programming knowledge. Setting up a basic automation might take just a few minutes once you're familiar with Zapier's interface.
For someone new to these concepts, there's a learning curve, but it's definitely manageable with resources available online, including tutorials and documentation from Notion and Zapier. The time investment will depend on the complexity of what you want to achieve and how comfortable you are with technology. It might take more than a few minutes initially, especially if you're setting up more complex automations or learning as you go, but it's a valuable skill set that can greatly enhance your productivity and workflow automation capabilities.
Yeah, so I'd like to connect Notion with Slack. I'm also interested in connecting Notion with Discord and Telegram as well. And first off, I'd like a little bit of an overview about the difference. It seems like there is a far greater integration with Slack, and so Slack is a better tool to use generally with Notion. But I'd just like to know just like a high-level overview of differences in functionality between using Zapier with Discord or Telegram with Notion compared to just using the Slack native integration and pros and cons and so forth. And then I'm also curious too about the best way to set it up, because when I saw the permissions for Slack, it showed that it required all the permissions in the entire database, and so or in the entire workspace rather. And so I want to figure out a way to give permissions to Slack but not give it to the entire workspace, or potentially move to a separate workspace for what I want to share permissions for, but that might not be ideal. So I'm wondering, what are the best ways to do that? Is it possible, for example, to just give permissions to a specific
ChatGPT
Integrating Notion with communication tools like Slack, Discord, and Telegram can significantly enhance collaboration and information flow within teams or personal projects. Let's dive into the differences in functionality between these integrations and the considerations around permissions, especially for Slack.
Integrations Overview
Notion with Slack
- Native Integration: Notion offers native integration with Slack, which provides a smoother and more seamless experience. This integration allows for direct notifications in Slack channels or direct messages when changes are made in Notion pages or databases.
- Functionality: You can set up notifications for page updates, comments, or mentions within Notion directly into Slack. This integration is very straightforward to configure from within Notion's settings, making it user-friendly.
- Permissions: The native integration might require broad permissions to operate effectively, as it needs to access various parts of your Notion workspace to send notifications or allow interactions.
Notion with Discord and Telegram via Zapier
- Zapier as a Middleman: For Discord and Telegram, the integration usually goes through third-party services like Zapier. Zapier acts as a bridge between Notion and these platforms, allowing for custom automation (or Zaps).
- Functionality: With Zapier, you can set up specific triggers in Notion (like a new database entry or a page update) to send messages or notifications to Discord channels or Telegram chats/groups.
- Customization and Limitations: While Zapier offers a high degree of customization for these integrations, it may not be as seamless or direct as the native Slack integration. You might also face limitations based on Zapier's plan restrictions or the need to set up multiple Zaps for different actions.
Permissions and Workspace Considerations
For Slack's broad permissions concerns, here are a few strategies:
- Limiting Access: Directly within Slack's integration settings, it might not always be possible to limit access to a specific part of your Notion workspace due to how the integration's permissions are designed. The integration needs certain permissions to read and write data across your workspace for functionality.
- Separate Workspaces: Creating a separate Notion workspace for specific projects or data you wish to integrate with Slack is a viable option. This approach helps isolate what data Slack has access to, but managing multiple workspaces can add complexity to your workflow.
- Privacy Zones: Consider organizing your Notion workspace so that sensitive or private information is kept in separate pages or databases that are not linked to Slack notifications. This way, even if Slack has broad access, you limit what is practically shared.
Setting Up the Integrations
- Notion and Slack: The setup is straightforward through Notion's "Settings & Members" > "Integrations" menu. You'll follow the prompts to connect to Slack and configure what notifications you want to receive and where.
- Notion with Discord/Telegram via Zapier: You'll need to create a Zapier account, find the Notion and Discord/Telegram apps within Zapier, and then set up a Zap. The process involves choosing a trigger in Notion (like a new database entry) and an action in Discord/Telegram (like posting a message).
Final Thoughts
- Slack Integration is generally more seamless and offers direct support from Notion, making it preferable for teams already using Slack.
- Discord and Telegram require a bit more setup through Zapier and might not offer as direct an integration experience but are valuable for teams and individuals who prefer these platforms.
- Regarding permissions, while limitations exist, strategic workspace organization and understanding the scope of what you're sharing can mitigate most concerns. Each method has its pros and cons, depending on your specific needs, workflow, and platform preferences.
Thank you. Now I'm wondering a couple of different things. I'm wondering if you have different workspaces for different projects or different tasks or different types of work, then is there any way to make it more seamless? Like some examples of things that it breaks when you do that if you separate it is when you hit Command-P, then you can't search across workspaces, at least by default. And when you type left bracket, left bracket, then you can normally link to a project or a page quickly, but you cannot do that when you are in a separate workspace. So I'm wondering if there's any way to make that easier. And also if separate workspace has different payment implications as well, like people need to pay more if they are members of different workspaces. And then I'm wondering, is there any just way to just make it so that you can just limit the access for Slack to only a certain team space? Perhaps like there might be some creative solutions, like what happens if the owner were to set an admin for a team space, and then the admin doesn't have access to the owner's rest of their workspace. And then that admin in the team space set up the integration for Slack, then maybe you would only give Slack the team space, not the entire workspace access. Or you mentioned something about secret workspace, or secret area, but how could this work basically?
ChatGPT
Managing multiple workspaces in Notion and integrating with external tools like Slack can introduce some complexities, both in terms of usability and subscription costs. Let’s address your concerns and explore potential workarounds.
Challenges with Multiple Workspaces
- Search Functionality: As you mentioned, using Command-P to search doesn't work across different workspaces. This limitation can hinder quick navigation and reduce efficiency, especially if your projects or tasks are heavily interlinked.
- Linking to Pages: The inability to quickly link to pages or projects across workspaces (using the double left bracket shortcut) can disrupt your workflow, making it harder to reference related work in different workspaces.
Payment Implications
- Subscription Costs: Each Notion workspace operates independently in terms of billing. If you have premium features enabled in one workspace, they don't automatically apply to another. This means that if you require premium features in multiple workspaces, you might face additional subscription costs for each.
Making Multiple Workspaces More Seamless
While Notion doesn’t natively support seamless operations across workspaces due to their design for privacy and separation, there are strategies to mitigate some of these issues:
- Centralized Documentation: For information that needs to be accessed across workspaces, consider maintaining a centralized workspace for shared resources. This requires manual management but can help reduce the fragmentation of information.
- Workaround for Search and Linking Limitations: Although not ideal, keeping an external index or using a third-party tool to manage links and references across workspaces could be a workaround. This would require manual updating and referencing.
Creative Solutions for Slack Integration
Your idea about limiting Slack access through workspace or team space configurations is creative, but it might not work exactly as intended because of how Notion and Slack’s permissions are structured. Here’s why:
- Integration Permissions: When you set up an integration like Slack with Notion, the permissions are generally applied at the workspace level because the integration needs access to the workspace's content to function properly. There's no built-in feature to restrict this access to a specific subset of the workspace.
- Admin Roles and Permissions: While setting up an admin with limited access might seem like a workaround, the integration still accesses the workspace based on the permissions granted to the integration itself, not the permissions of the individual who set it up.
Potential Workarounds
- Separate Workspaces for Sensitive Information: If certain information is sensitive and you don’t want it accessible via Slack, keeping this information in a completely separate workspace from where the Slack integration is set up can be an effective measure.
- Using a Separate Team Space: Although Notion’s permissions and integrations are not designed to be limited to specific team spaces within a workspace, organizing your workspace so that the Slack integration only posts notifications from designated areas (like a specific database or page) might help control what information is shared. However, this doesn’t technically restrict Slack’s access but rather controls what information is actively shared.
- Secret Areas: The concept of a "secret area" within Notion refers to pages or databases that are not shared with everyone in the workspace. While you can use sharing settings to control who has access to what within Notion, this doesn’t affect the scope of what an integrated tool like Slack can access based on its permissions.
Conclusion
Managing multiple workspaces in Notion efficiently, especially when integrating with external tools like Slack, involves a balance between convenience and privacy. While there are no perfect solutions to seamlessly link and search across workspaces or limit Slack integration to specific areas without affecting functionality, using strategic organization and understanding the limitations and capabilities of Notion’s structure and integrations can help create a more manageable workflow.
Okay, thank you. That's interesting. A couple follow-up questions. One, I've heard it's possible to give a smaller subset of pages access to Slack by using the Notion API, and I'm wondering how that would work, and if so, then does that have all the benefits of the native Slack integration, or would that require some workaround where it loses some of the smoothness and features of it working? Another thing I'm wondering, too, is if there's any way to retain the global search ability and the ability to link with left bracket, left bracket while using different workspaces. Are there any larger or different solutions that could allow you to still search and link those things easily? Perhaps I've heard that Notion has a new feature for a search that you can do no matter what app you have in your computer open, so I'm wondering if perhaps that search can search for all of your databases or all of your workspaces, rather, or if some other tool, like I've heard, I think, a...
ChatGPT
Let's dive into your follow-up questions for more clarity on these topics.
Integrating Slack with a Subset of Notion Pages Using the API
Indeed, it's possible to create a more customized integration between Notion and Slack using the Notion API, which can allow you to specify exactly which pages or databases in Notion should send notifications to Slack. Here's a high-level overview of how this might work:
- Custom Integration: By leveraging the Notion API, you can develop a custom application or script that monitors changes or updates to specific pages or databases within your Notion workspace. When a specified event occurs (like a page update or a new comment), your custom application can then send a notification to Slack.
- Benefits vs. Native Integration: This approach offers more control and precision over what data triggers Slack notifications. However, it may not have all the benefits of the native Slack integration in terms of ease of setup and seamless user experience. For example, you might lose out on some native features like easily configuring notifications for any updates across the workspace without additional programming.
- Complexity: Implementing a custom solution requires some programming knowledge and understanding of both the Notion API and Slack's API. You'll need to manage the logic for when and how notifications are sent to Slack, which adds complexity compared to using the native integration.
Retaining Global Search and Easy Linking Across Workspaces
Regarding the challenges of global search and linking across different workspaces in Notion:
- Global Search Feature: As of my last update, Notion's global search functionality is limited to the content within a single workspace. There's no built-in feature that allows you to search across multiple workspaces simultaneously from within Notion. If Notion has introduced a new search feature that works outside the app (for example, a desktop-wide search), it would be primarily designed to enhance productivity within the context of a single workspace or the local content of your computer, rather than integrating multiple Notion workspaces.
- Third-party Tools: There are third-party tools and browser extensions that aim to improve the Notion experience, some of which might offer enhanced search functionalities or better ways to link between pages and databases. However, these solutions would be external to Notion and might not offer the seamless experience you're looking for.
- Workarounds: Unfortunately, there's no straightforward workaround to achieve global search and easy linking across workspaces within Notion itself due to its design. The workspace model is intended to keep different projects or teams separate, which inherently limits cross-workspace interactions.
Alternative Solutions or Future Features
- Notion Updates: Keep an eye on Notion's updates and feature releases. Notion is continuously evolving, and the team might introduce new functionalities that better support working across multiple workspaces or improve integrations with external tools like Slack.
- Community Solutions: The Notion community is very active, and users often share scripts, tools, or workflows they've developed to solve specific problems. Engaging with the community through forums or social media might reveal new solutions or workarounds.
- Feedback to Notion: If these limitations significantly impact your workflow, consider providing feedback to Notion. User feedback can influence the development of new features or improvements to existing ones.
As of now, managing multiple workspaces in Notion and integrating with external tools like Slack involves navigating some limitations and trade-offs. Custom solutions or third-party tools can offer partial workarounds, but they may require additional effort or resources to implement.
Okay, thank you. That's interesting. I'm now wondering for more details about setting up the API integration to automatically send to Slack or Discord or to Telegram. I mean, first off, would the API integration with Slack, would that require another tool like Zapier in order to make that work or no? Does it work basically like setting up a Zapier integration for Discord or Telegram? And then secondly, I'm wondering...
ChatGPT
Setting up an API integration to automatically send notifications from Notion to Slack, Discord, or Telegram can be approached in a couple of different ways, including direct API integration or using intermediary services like Zapier. Let’s delve into both methods:
Direct API Integration
For Slack:
- Direct Integration: You can directly integrate with Slack using its API without needing an intermediary like Zapier. This would involve writing a custom script or application that uses the Notion API to monitor changes in your Notion pages or databases and then uses the Slack API to send messages or notifications based on those changes.
- Requirements: This approach requires some programming knowledge to handle API requests, manage authentication, and process data. You would typically use a server or a serverless function (like AWS Lambda) to run your integration script.
For Discord and Telegram:
- Similar Approach: Like with Slack, you can directly integrate Notion with Discord or Telegram using their respective APIs. Each platform has its own way of handling bot messages and notifications, so you would need to familiarize yourself with their documentation.
- Custom Bot: You might create a custom bot for Discord or Telegram that listens for updates from your script or application interacting with the Notion API and then posts messages accordingly.
Using Zapier or Similar Tools
- Zapier Integration: Zapier can serve as a no-code or low-code bridge between Notion and Slack, Discord, Telegram, or other platforms. It allows you to set up triggers (e.g., a new entry in a Notion database) and actions (e.g., send a message to Slack) without writing custom code.
- Benefits: The main advantage of using Zapier is the ease of setup. You can create complex workflows through a user-friendly interface without deep technical knowledge.
- Limitations: Zapier’s free plan has limitations on the number of tasks you can run per month and the complexity of the zaps. For more advanced or high-volume integrations, you might need a paid plan.
Setting Up a Direct API Integration: A Basic Overview
- Authenticate with Notion API: Obtain access to your Notion workspace via the Notion API by creating an integration within your Notion settings and getting an access token.
- Monitor Changes: Write a script that uses the Notion API to monitor changes in your workspace. This could involve periodic checks or, depending on your setup, webhooks (if supported).
- Send Notifications: When your script detects a change, format a message and use the Slack, Discord, or Telegram API to send this message to the desired channel or chat. This step involves authenticating with the platform's API and sending a request with your message content.
- Deploy Your Script: Host your script on a server or a cloud function service to run at specified intervals or continuously, depending on your needs.
Conclusion
- Direct Integration vs. Zapier: Choosing between direct API integration and using Zapier or a similar tool depends on your technical comfort level and specific needs. Direct integration offers more control and flexibility but requires programming knowledge. Zapier simplifies the process, making it accessible to those without a coding background but may come with cost implications for heavy usage.
- Custom Needs: If you have specific, complex requirements for your integration, direct API access might be the way to go. For more standard, straightforward workflows, Zapier provides an efficient and easy setup process.
All right. Thank you. A couple of things I'm wondering now. One, is there a cost to using the APIs for Notion, for Slack, for Discord and Telegram, or is that free? I'm also wondering for a comparison of the options you provided, like Zapier and manually doing the API hookup and PipeDream. I'm also looking for an overview of PipeDream, how it compares. I've watched Thomas Frank, who uses Notion a lot, say a lot of good things about PipeDream, and I'm wondering if that might be useful and how it compares. And then lastly, I'm wondering, as far as the coding that's required to do these kinds of things, I imagine that people have set it up before, so can it just be something I can copy and paste from somewhere, or can I ask ChatGPT to help me set this up? And for somebody who is very technically active and savvy and has a very limited amount of time, but knows how to use the ChatGPT, as well as technology in general, and also has friends who can help with technology, but would that person be able to just use ChatGPT or find something that they can copy and paste and set it up pretty quickly to make integrations like sending notifications or messages to Slack or Discord when a new page has been edited or created in Notion.
ChatGPT
Let's address each of your questions to give you a clearer understanding of using APIs, comparing automation tools, and the potential for code reuse or assistance in setting up your integrations.
Cost of Using APIs
- Notion API: As of my last update, Notion offers its API for free, though there may be limits on the rate of requests you can make. It’s designed to be accessible for both individual developers and businesses to create integrations and automate workflows.
- Slack API: Slack also provides its API for free, but there are usage limits. Slack's tiered pricing for its services might affect access to certain API features depending on your plan.
- Discord API: Discord offers its API for free, with the primary limitation being rate limits to prevent abuse. It's widely used for bot development and integrations in the developer community.
- Telegram API: Telegram’s API is free to use, supporting a wide range of bots and integrations, with generous limits on usage.
Comparison of Automation Tools: Zapier vs. Pipedream
- Zapier:
- User-Friendly: Designed for ease of use, allowing non-technical users to create integrations (Zaps) between services with a simple, graphical interface.
- Pre-built Integrations: Offers a vast library of pre-built integrations with popular services, including Notion, Slack, Discord, and Telegram.
- Cost: Has a free tier with limited tasks and a few premium tiers based on the number of tasks and complexity of the Zaps.
- Pipedream:
- Overview: A more developer-focused platform compared to Zapier, offering a low-code environment where you can build more complex workflows. It integrates with numerous services, including Notion, Slack, Discord, and Telegram.
- Features: Supports both code and no-code steps in workflows, making it versatile for both developers and technically savvy users. It provides a real-time debugging and logging interface.
- Cost: Pipedream offers a generous free tier with limitations on execution rate and daily invocations, with paid plans for higher usage needs.
- Comparison: Pipedream might offer more flexibility and control than Zapier, especially for custom logic within workflows. It’s particularly appealing to users who want the option to write or tweak code within their automations.
Reusing Code for API Integrations
- Finding Pre-built Solutions: For common tasks like sending notifications to Slack or Discord based on Notion updates, there’s a good chance someone has already developed a similar solution. GitHub and developer forums are great places to look for such scripts or code snippets.
- ChatGPT Assistance: While I can’t directly write or execute code for you in real-time, I can certainly guide you through the process, explain code snippets, and help debug issues. For technically savvy users, this guidance can significantly speed up the development process.
- Quick Setup Feasibility: Given your technical savvy and resources (like friends who can help), leveraging existing code snippets or detailed guidance could enable you to set up your desired integrations relatively quickly. The key will be understanding the APIs involved and adapting any found code to your specific needs.
Conclusion
Choosing between Zapier, Pipedream, or direct API integration depends on your specific requirements, preferred level of control, and time constraints. Pipedream might be particularly appealing if you're looking for a balance between pre-built solutions and the flexibility to customize with code.
For setting up integrations quickly, leveraging platforms like Pipedream or finding reusable code snippets, with some adaptation, can be effective strategies. Engaging with communities around these tools and services can also provide valuable insights and shortcuts to achieving your automation goals.
Thank you. Can you please provide another overview of Pipedream, with just a bit more details? I'm curious about how long it's been around for, the success of it, how much it's grown, how much it might cost, and is it a big business? And then I'm also curious, too, if you could please provide comprehensive instructions to set up an integration where Notion, when you make an update to a page in Notion, or make a new page, then how that'd work with Pipedream and the API for Slack, to send a message in Slack automatically. And I'm also wondering if it works in Notion for both updates to pages, like appending something to a page or writing something on a page, and also for new pages entirely.
ChatGPT
Pipedream is a platform designed for developers and technically savvy users to build automation and integrate various services without needing to manage infrastructure. It allows you to create workflows that connect APIs, services, and data globally. Here's a closer look at Pipedream:
Overview of Pipedream
- Launch and Growth: Pipedream was launched to the public in the past few years, aiming to provide developers with a powerful and flexible platform for building workflow automations. Since its launch, it has grown significantly, adding support for a wide range of APIs and services, including Notion, Slack, Discord, Telegram, and many more.
- Success and Usage: The platform has seen success among developers and tech companies looking for an efficient way to automate workflows and integrate services. It’s known for its ease of use, developer-friendly features, and robust community.
- Cost: Pipedream offers a free tier that allows for a generous number of workflow executions per month, making it accessible for personal projects and small businesses. For more extensive use, they offer paid plans which increase the limits on workflow executions, provide access to premium features, and offer dedicated support.
- Business Size: While Pipedream might not be as large as some of the more established players in the automation space like Zapier, it has carved out a niche among developers and tech enthusiasts for its flexibility and developer-centric features.
Setting Up a Notion to Slack Integration Using Pipedream and API
To set up an integration where updates to a Notion page or the creation of a new page trigger a message in Slack via Pipedream, you would generally follow these steps:
- Create a Pipedream Account: Sign up for Pipedream if you haven’t already.
- Find or Create the Workflow:
- Start by creating a new workflow in Pipedream.
- Choose Notion as the trigger. You might need to authenticate your Notion account and grant Pipedream access to your workspace.
- Configure the Notion Trigger:
- Select the specific trigger event you're interested in, such as updates to a page or the creation of a new page. Note that the availability of specific triggers will depend on the Notion API's capabilities at the time.
- Configure the trigger by specifying the database or page you want to monitor for changes.
- Add an Action for Slack:
- After setting up the trigger, add an action to your workflow and choose Slack as the service.
- You'll likely need to authenticate your Slack account and authorize Pipedream to interact with it.
- Configure the Slack action by specifying the type of message you want to send and to which channel. You can use data from the Notion trigger (like page title or content changes) in the message.
- Deploy the Workflow: Once configured, deploy your workflow. Pipedream will then monitor for the specified changes in Notion and automatically trigger the Slack action when those changes occur.
Limitations and Considerations
- API Limitations: The capability to trigger on updates to a page or the creation of new pages in Notion depends on the Notion API's current features. As of the last update, the Notion API supports triggering on database item creation and updates, but tracking specific content changes within a page might be limited.
- Workflow Complexity: While Pipedream aims to simplify the integration process, the complexity of your workflow might vary based on the specific details of what you're trying to achieve. Custom logic or filtering within the workflow might require some familiarity with JavaScript.
Reusing Existing Solutions
- While setting up a workflow from scratch is quite straightforward on Pipedream, exploring the community library for existing workflows that match your needs can save time. You can often find templates or shared workflows that do similar tasks and then customize them for your specific requirements.
Pipedream's flexibility and developer-friendly approach make it a compelling choice for creating integrations like Notion to Slack. While some familiarity with APIs and possibly JavaScript is helpful, the platform is designed to make the process as accessible as possible.
Okay, great, thank you. So maybe I missed something, but it didn't seem like there was any needed coding there or any needed programming. It seems like you could just use a no-code system to basically trigger the action from Notion into Slack. So please don't get me wrong. And if there is any code needed, then please let me know what that would be. And then I'm also wondering,
ChatGPT
You're right; Pipedream, like Zapier, offers a primarily no-code interface for creating workflows between services such as Notion and Slack. This means you can set up integrations without writing any code, using their visual editor to configure triggers and actions based on the events and responses you want to automate. Here's a clarification on when and why you might need to write code within a Pipedream workflow:
No-Code Setup
- Triggers and Actions: For most common tasks, including sending a message in Slack when a page is updated or created in Notion, Pipedream provides pre-built triggers and actions. You can select these from a menu and configure them by filling out forms—no coding necessary.
- Data Mapping: Pipedream allows you to map data from the trigger (Notion event) directly to actions (Slack message) through its interface. This means you can dynamically insert details from the Notion event, like the page title or URL, into the Slack message without coding.
When You Might Need Code
- Custom Logic: If you need to process or transform the data between the trigger and action in ways not supported by the default options. For example, if you want to format the Slack message in a specific way that requires manipulating the data from Notion.
- Advanced Filtering: If you want to filter events more granularly than what the trigger settings allow. For example, triggering only on pages with a specific tag or property value in Notion.
- API Actions Not Covered by Pre-built Options: If you're performing an action that isn't covered by Pipedream's pre-built actions for Slack or Notion. In this case, you might use a "Run Custom Code" step to make an API request directly.
Example of Where You Might Use Code
Let's say you want to send a Slack message that includes not just the name of the newly created or updated Notion page but also a summary of its content, and you need to extract or summarize this content from a longer text. You might write a short JavaScript function in a "Run Custom Code" step in Pipedream to process the text from the Notion page and create a summary before passing it to the Slack message action.
Conclusion
For the majority of standard integration tasks, including sending notifications from Notion to Slack based on page updates or creations, Pipedream's no-code interface should suffice. The platform is designed to enable both technical and non-technical users to automate workflows efficiently without the need for custom code. However, the option to add code within workflows offers flexibility for more complex automation needs or to implement logic that goes beyond straightforward data mapping and filtering.
Okay, so that sounds cool. So just for example, then if you wanted to say, take a property that was in Notion and display that in the Slack system in the notification message in Slack, then you'd need to do some custom code for that with JavaScript or something like that. And then I could ask ChatGPT to help, but maybe it's done. And then you could have it where it displays whatever properties you want in the message as well. Is that correct? That sounds pretty cool if so. And then, I'm wondering how much it might cost practically to use Pipedream if you want to use it with a community of say 10, 20 people, and maybe they're each making five new pages a day or each making one new page a day or something like that. Is that also if you can do it with a free plan or at what point might you might need a more expensive plan for the Pipedream?
ChatGPT
Yes, you've got the right idea! Using Pipedream, you can indeed take a specific property from a Notion page and display that in a Slack message through the automation workflow. If the default actions in Pipedream don't support directly pulling and formatting these specific properties as you want them in the Slack message, you could use a custom code step in your workflow to manipulate the data. This could involve writing a bit of JavaScript to extract the properties from the trigger payload (the data received from Notion) and format them for the message sent to Slack. And yes, you can certainly ask for help here to get guidance on writing such a script.
Displaying Notion Properties in Slack Messages
For example, if you wanted to display a property like "Status" or "Due Date" from a Notion database item in your Slack message, you could use the "Run Custom Code" step in Pipedream to extract these values from the Notion trigger data and include them in the Slack action configuration.
Cost of Using Pipedream for a Community
Regarding the cost for using Pipedream, especially for a community making frequent updates or additions in Notion:
- Free Tier: Pipedream's free plan typically includes a generous amount of workflow executions per month (the exact number may change, so it's best to check the latest on their website). This should be sufficient for personal use or small teams.
- Workflow Executions: If each member of your community is creating or updating pages, and you want these actions to trigger workflows, the key factor to consider is the total number of workflow executions this activity would generate.
- Example Calculation:
- If you have 20 people each making one new page a day, that's 20 executions per day. Over a month, this would amount to approximately 600 executions.
- Depending on the specifics of your workflows and the current allowances of Pipedream's free tier, this usage could still fall within the free plan. However, it's always good to review the execution limits and consider the potential for peak days where activity might be higher.
- Paid Plans: For communities or teams with higher volumes of activity (e.g., if each person is making multiple updates or new pages daily), you might need to consider Pipedream's paid plans. These plans typically offer higher execution limits, along with additional features such as increased execution time limits, concurrency, and premium support.
Final Thoughts
- Free Plan Viability: For a community of 10-20 people making a moderate number of updates, the free tier might suffice, especially if the workflow isn't triggered with every single update or new page but perhaps only under certain conditions (which you can control either through Notion's API directly or with custom code in Pipedream).
- Monitoring Usage: It's important to monitor your Pipedream usage as your community grows or as the frequency of Notion page updates increases. This will help you anticipate when you might need to upgrade to a paid plan to accommodate your community's activity level.
Pipedream provides a flexible platform for automating workflows between Notion and Slack (among other services), with scalability to support communities of various sizes. The ability to customize workflows with code, when needed, allows for a wide range of possibilities in automating and streamlining communication and project management tasks.
Thank you. I'm now wondering, what is the permission and accesses required or needed for pipelining?
ChatGPT
When setting up workflows with Pipedream, or any platform that automates tasks between different services (like Notion and Slack), you'll need to consider permissions and access in a couple of key areas:
Authentication and Access Tokens
- API Access: Both Notion and Slack (as well as most other platforms you might want to integrate with) require authentication to access their APIs. This usually involves generating access tokens that your Pipedream workflows can use to perform actions on your behalf.
- Granting Permissions: During the setup process in Pipedream, when you add a service like Notion or Slack to your workflow, you'll be prompted to authenticate with that service. This process typically redirects you to the service's website (e.g., Notion.so or Slack.com) where you'll log in and grant Pipedream permission to access your account on that platform.
Scope of Permissions
- Specific to the Service: The permissions required will depend on the actions you want to automate. For example, if your workflow is designed to read information from a Notion database and post messages in a Slack channel, you'll need to grant Pipedream permission to read your Notion data and send messages in Slack.
- Minimum Necessary Principle: It's good practice to only grant the level of access absolutely necessary for your workflows to function. This helps minimize potential security risks. Both Notion and Slack allow you to control the scope of permissions when generating access tokens or during the OAuth process.
Managing Permissions
- Notion: When you integrate Notion with Pipedream, you typically need to allow it to read and write data in your workspace, depending on what your workflow does. Notion's integration setup lets you select which pages or databases the integration can access.
- Slack: For Slack, the permissions might include sending messages as you, accessing channel information, or posting in specific channels, among others. The exact permissions will be outlined when you connect Slack to Pipedream during the setup process.
Security and Privacy Considerations
- Review and Revoke: Regularly review the permissions you've granted to services like Pipedream and revoke them if they're no longer needed or if you change your workflow requirements.
- Sensitive Information: Be cautious when automating workflows that handle sensitive information. Ensure that the platforms and services you use comply with your security and privacy standards.
Conclusion
Setting up integrations and automations with Pipedream requires careful consideration of the permissions and access you grant. It’s about balancing functionality with security and privacy, ensuring that your workflows operate effectively without exposing more of your data than necessary. Always authenticate securely and manage your permissions with the principle of least privilege in mind.
Yeah.
ChatGPT
Great, I'm glad the information was helpful! If you have any more questions, whether it's about setting up integrations, navigating permissions, or anything else, feel free to ask.
Another thing I'm wondering is with Telegram topics, then if you want to archive a Telegram topic, then is there any way that people can still see it? For example, in the Telegram app, can they see some section where it says Archive Topics or does it just go completely invisible for everybody, whereas it's only viewable by the admins or by the owner? And then can it still be linked to as well, like messages that are linked to or a message that was in a topic that was archived, then if you generate a link to that or copy the link to that prior, then could you still see that link in the Archive Topic and read the other messages in the Archive Topic as well?
ChatGPT
As of my last update, Telegram introduced "Topics" in groups to help organize discussions more efficiently, especially in large groups. Topics act like sub-channels within a group, allowing for more focused conversations. When it comes to archiving these topics, here's what you need to know based on Telegram's features and functionality:
Visibility of Archived Topics
- Archive Function: Telegram's approach to archiving is designed to clean up or declutter the chat interface rather than permanently removing access to the content. However, the specific behavior can depend on how Telegram has implemented archiving for topics, as their features continue to evolve.
- Access to Archived Topics: Typically, archived items in Telegram (like chats or messages) remain accessible to those who already have access. For topics, if Telegram allows archiving in a similar way to chats, it's possible that archived topics might not be prominently displayed in the main group interface but should still be accessible.
Admins and Owner Visibility
- Admin Controls: Admins usually have more control over group management, including topics. If a topic is archived, admins likely have the ability to view and manage these archived topics, possibly including restoring them if needed.
Linking to Messages in Archived Topics
- Direct Links: Telegram supports direct links to messages, and if a message within a topic has been shared or linked externally, that link should theoretically still lead directly to the message, assuming the topic and message haven't been deleted.
- Link Accessibility: If you have a direct link to a message within an archived topic, accessing that link should take you to the message, allowing you to view it and potentially the surrounding conversation, depending on how Telegram handles archived topic visibility to users.
Considerations
- Platform Updates: Telegram frequently updates its features and how they operate. It's a good idea to check the latest version of the app or Telegram's official announcements for the most current information regarding topics and archiving.
- Privacy and Group Settings: The visibility of archived topics and messages within them can also depend on the privacy settings of the group, the topics, and Telegram's policies on archived content.
Conclusion
While Telegram aims to make features like topics useful and manageable, the specifics of how archived topics work, including their visibility to members and the functionality of links to messages within them, might vary based on ongoing updates to the platform. For the most accurate and current information, referring to Telegram's official documentation or experimenting within the app would be the best approach.
Automate Notion notifications feature