How to Use the Tech

The Mobile App (iOS / Android)

Built for the field. This is what you use at 5:30 AM at the shovel flag to check for last-minute venue changes, drop a quick reaction, or upload a "boy band" picture right after the COT.

The PC / Mac Desktop App

Built for heavy lifting. Gold standard for drafting detailed Backblasts, managing your profile, scheduling Pre-Blasts. Fast, keyboard shortcuts, clean multi-window view.

The Web Browser Version (slack.com)

A backup option. Functions almost identically to the Desktop App but runs inside Chrome, Safari, or Edge.

Setting up your Profile

To keep the region organized, your profile needs to clearly show who you are both in the real world and in the gloom.

• Mobile Tap your Profile picture (top right) → View Profile → Edit Profile → update → Save.
• Desktop Click your Profile picture (bottom left) → Profile → Edit → update → Save Changes.

Required fields:

• Full Name — your birth name, first and last.
• Display Name — your F3 name, optionally with birth name in parentheses. Example: Shredder (John Doe)
• Title — the word "ICE" followed by your emergency contact's name and phone. Example: ICE: Jane Doe 303-321-4567

Setting up your Contact Information

Ensure we have the most accurate contact information for you so you don't miss critical communications.

• Mobile Profile picture → View Profile → scroll down and tap Edit (next to Contact Information) → update → Save.
• Desktop Profile picture → Profile → Edit (next to Contact Information) → update → Save Changes.

Required:

• Email Address — same email associated with your F3 Slack account.
• Phone — cell phone number (home phone if you don't have a cell).

Tuning Notifications (Quiet Hours)

Set up your "Do Not Disturb" window so early-morning chatter or late-night banter doesn't wake up your family (especially the M).

• Mobile Profile picture → Notifications → scroll to Notification Schedule → tap Allow notification: → pick an option (including Custom, e.g. mute 10:00 PM to 4:30 AM).
• Desktop Profile picture → Notifications → Edit your working hours → pick an option.

Finding and Joining your Region's AO Channels

Your workspace has dedicated channels for every AO, plus channels for 1st F (fitness), 2nd F (fellowship), 3rd F (faith/service), and many others.

• Mobile Home tab → + Add channel at bottom of the # Channels list → Browse Channels → pick or search → Join Channel.
• Desktop Left sidebar → + Add Channels at bottom of your channels list → Browse channels → pick or search → Join Channel.

Posting Public Messages

Use this to create a new post within a Slack channel for anyone subscribed to see.

• Mobile & Desktop Select the channel → click in the message input box → type your message → hit the green send arrow.

Sending DMs (Direct Messages)

Use this to send a private message to specific PAX.

• Mobile DMs tab at bottom → + on bottom right → Message → type names → tap in Message field → compose → send arrow.
• Desktop New message icon on top of left sidebar → type names → click in Message field → compose → send arrow.

Tagging a Specific PAX Member

Give a shoutout or make sure a specific PAX sees your message.

• Mobile & Desktop In the message input box, type @ and immediately start typing their F3 name or real name. Tap the name in the dropdown to lock it in.

Notifying a Crowd Responsibly (@here vs. @channel)

• @here — standard updates. Only alerts guys currently active on Slack. Example: "Heading to breakfast now if anyone wants to join!"
• @channel — important updates only. Forcefully alerts every single member of the channel, even if they're asleep. Example: "AO is flooded, moving to the secondary location!"

Type @here or @channel directly into your message box on either mobile or desktop.

Keeping it Clean with Threads

• Mobile Tap and hold the message → Reply → type your reply where it says "Add a reply."
• Desktop Hover over the message → click the Reply in thread bubble icon → type your reply in the right-hand panel.

Dropping Reactions

Drop a quick emoji reaction to let a leader know you read their message or are locked in for a beatdown.

• Mobile Press and hold the message ("long press") → tap a quick emoji (💪 or 👊) or the grey smiley for more options.
• Desktop Hover over the message → click the Add Reaction icon (smiley + plus) for the full library.

Copying a Link to a Specific Slack Post

Grab a direct web link to a specific backblast, announcement, or post to reference later.

• Mobile Long-press the message → scroll down → Copy Link to Message.
• Desktop Hover over the message → More Actions (⋯) → Copy Link.

Sharing a Post Link into Another Channel

Cross-promote events — pull a 3rd F service project link out of its channel and drop it into your main AO channel.

• Mobile Navigate to destination channel → tap message field → long-press → Paste → type your message around it → send. Slack auto-generates a preview.
• Desktop Navigate to destination → right-click in field → Paste (or Ctrl+V) → type your message around it → send.

Following Links and Navigating Back

• Mobile & Desktop Tap or click any blue Slack link to jump to that conversation. To return, use the Back arrow at the top left. This works for channel links (#channel), user mentions (@F3_Name), and other navigable links.

Launch the F3 Nation App

• Method A (Search bar): Tap the Slack Search Bar → type calendar, preblast, or backblast → select the corresponding F3 shortcut.
• Method B (Slash command): Go to your AO channel → tap the message field → type /f3-calendar, /preblast, or /backblast → send → press the green Send Now (Return) button.

Signing up for a Q (Leading a Beatdown)

1. Launch the calendar (§ 5.1).
2. Filter by AO, Event Type, or Date via dropdowns → toggle "Show only open Q slots".
3. Mobile Find your date → More → Take Q from the popup at the bottom.
4. Desktop Find your date → click the ⋯ → Take Q.

Creating and Posting a Pre-Blast

1. Open the calendar (§ 5.1).
2. Select "Show only my events" to see your upcoming Q slots.
3. Mobile Find your slot → More → Edit Pre-Blast.   Desktop Find your slot → ⋯ → Edit Pre-Blast.
4. Fill out the fields:
   • Title
   • Location. If not in the dropdown, leave blank and note the location clearly in the moleskin. To get a location added, notify the regional IT Q, your Site Q, or any SLT member.
   • Start Time
   • Optional: Co-Qs, Event Tags.
   • Preblast moleskin — coupon required (if any) and a description of the event. Modify RSVP emojis to fit your theme.
5. Optional: upload an image.
6. Choose delivery: Send Now or Send the day before the event.
7. Tap / click Update.

Relinquishing Your Q Slot

Open up your Q slot for someone else to take.

1. Open the calendar → "Show only my events".
2. Mobile Find your slot → More → Edit Pre-Blast.   Desktop Find your slot → ⋯ → Edit Pre-Blast.
3. Scroll to the very bottom → tap / click Take myself off Q.
4. Click Close.

Creating an Unscheduled Event or Blackops

Use this for any event that is not a regular recurring event already in the calendar. Most commonly used for Blackops beatdowns, but works for any one-off event.

1. Navigate to the appropriate Slack channel.
2. Launch the Preblast template (§ 5.1).
3. Tap / click New Unscheduled Event.
4. Complete the Add-an-Event form: AO (dropdown), Location, Event Type, optional Event Tags, Date + Start Time + End Time, Name, Preblast moleskin (coupon + description; modify RSVP emojis as needed), review Optional Options.
5. Tap / click Submit (upper right on Mobile, lower right on Desktop).

Submitting a Backblast

1. Locate the automatic notification from the F3 Nation App in your Slack DMs after your workout and click Fill out Backblast, OR run /backblast in your channel.
2. Select your specific past workout from the dropdown.
3. Log Attendance: Check the boxes next to the PAX who attended. Tip: anyone who checked in via the Pre-Blast will already be checked.
4. FNGs & Visitors: Type visitor names under Downrange PAX. For brand-new guys, type their temporary names separated by commas in the FNGs block.
5. The Moleskin: Click into the Moleskin box. On desktop, copy-paste your pre-written summary of the warm-up, the Thang, and the banter. On mobile, type it out cleanly.
6. Upload the Photo: Click Choose a file or Upload Image to attach your post-workout group photo (your "boy band").
7. Click Submit. The app formats and drops the official post into your home AO channel.

Joining Additional Workspaces

Use this to add a neighboring F3 region, a frequently visited downrange location, or the global F3 Nation workspace to your existing Slack app.

• Mobile Home tab (bottom left) → swipe right from the left edge → + Add a Workspace → Join another workspace → sign in with the email associated with your invitation, or paste the invite link.
• Desktop Far left vertical slice of the sidebar → + icon → Sign in to another workspace → in the webpage that opens, click Or sign into a new workspace here → enter your email → Sign In With Email → enter the code sent to your email.

Navigating Between Workspaces

Jump between your Home Region, a neighboring region for downrange workouts, or the global F3 Nation workspace.

• Mobile Home tab (bottom left) → swipe right from the left edge → tap the square icon of the workspace.
• Mobile alt Home tab → tap the Workspace Icon in the upper left → tap the square icon of the workspace.
• Desktop Far left vertical slice of the sidebar → click the square icon of the region you want.

Creating Custom Emojis (Reactions)

Upload custom graphics, inside jokes, or your AO patch to use as Slack reactions.

• Mobile (iOS) Follow the Add custom emoji and aliases (iOS) guide.
• Desktop Follow the Add custom emoji and aliases (Desktop) guide.

Scheduling a Post or Reply (Delayed Send)

Draft a message or reply that you want to send on a specific day or time.

• Mobile Follow the Send or schedule messages (Mobile) guide.
• Desktop Follow the Send or schedule messages (Desktop) guide.

Catching Up On Unread Content

Configuring Slack Notifications

Notifications ensure you don't miss out on event announcements, messages, or the latest mumblechatter. Slack notifications are highly customizable — for the full suite of options, head to the Slack Help Center:

• Guide to Slack notifications
• Configure your Slack notifications

Log in — one click, no passwords

The site uses magic-link login. You never set a password — the site emails you a one-click link when you need in.

1. Go to the log-in page and enter the email on your F3 roster profile (same one Slack uses).
2. Check your inbox. A link arrives within a minute. Tap it — you're in for 7 days.
3. Site Qs: lead alert emails already have a "Log in with one click" button baked in. Nothing to remember.

Keep your profile current

Once logged in, land on your profile. Every field powers something on the site — headshot on the HIM wall, home AO on the roster, phone if a Site Q needs to reach you.

• Headshot — Slack avatar syncs by default. Override with a better one if the Slack shot is old.
• Real name, phone, email — fix any that are wrong. Phone is a fallback when email bounces.
• Home AO — routes you to the right lead alerts if you take Site Q.
• Region — Denver, Front Range, or Douglas County. Powers the region-page directories.

Site Qs — edit your AO

If you're a Site Q or co-Q, you own your AO's public page. Workout times, address, what to bring, the group photo — all editable in wp-admin, no dev help needed.

1. Log in → click Locations in the wp-admin left sidebar → open your AO.
2. Update the essentials: workout times, address, meetup landmark, Site Q email. This is what the public sees and what lead alerts pull from.
3. Under Lead Alert Recipients, pick 2–3 leaders. When an FNG reaches out, everyone on the list gets the alert on the same email thread — Reply-All keeps coordination visible.
4. Photos flow in automatically from your AO's Slack channel. Prefer a specific hero shot? Pin it on the AO page under Featured Photo.

Bringing an FNG

Two ways to onboard a man. Both work — pick whichever fits how he's reaching out.

• He's ready to post — just bring him. Say "5am, here's the address, come as you are." No form, no signup. The Q will name him after his first beatdown.
• He wants to learn first — send him to f3denver.com/start-here. Contact form routes to the Site Q for the AO nearest him.
• Log the FNG in the BB — drop his name in the FNG field on the Backblast form. That feeds "FNGs Welcomed" in the region stats.