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Slack

How to Set Lunch Status in Slack Easily 2026

By Impran M N

Letting your team know you're stepping away for a meal helps set clear expectations and cuts down on notification noise. This guide covers setting the lunch status preset, customizing it, and having it clear automatically.

01Open your status menu

Click your profile avatar in the lower left corner of the Slack desktop app.

02Click Update Your Status

Select the status input box to open the configuration window.

03Choose the lunch preset

Pick 'Out to Lunch' from the default status suggestions.

04Customize your emoji and duration

Adjust the status emoji if desired, then set 'Clear After' to 30 minutes or 1 hour.

05Pause notifications and save

Check the pause notifications box if you don't want alerts during lunch, then click Save.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Will my status automatically revert after lunch?

Yes, once the expiration timer runs out, Slack automatically clears the status and restores your normal availability.

Can I set a recurring lunch status every day?

Slack doesn't support fully automatic recurring statuses natively, so you'll need to set it manually or use a workflow automation.

Does pausing notifications during lunch block all alerts?

Yes, it silences desktop and mobile push notifications until the pause period ends.

Is there a keyboard shortcut for updating status?

Yes, Slack supports a quick shortcut to open the status update window without navigating through menus.

Watch the full walkthrough

The same steps, demonstrated on screen from start to finish.