Lenny Rachitsky · 6 min read · Gen AI Tools
🎙️ This week on How I AI: Claude Cowork tutorial for non-engineers + Build your own Slack inbox (for $0)
Read the original on lennysnewsletter.com →
In this episode, Yash Tekriwal explains how he built a custom AI-powered Slack inbox that reduces 150 daily notifications to about 30 actionable items by categorizing and routing messages into a clean workflow. He walks through using Perplexity Computer and OpenClaw to create deterministic tools, the importance of separating categorization from API-driven actions, and how cloud-based connectors make the system accessible to non-engineers—with a look at the future of personalized, micro software.
Key Takeaways
- Transform Slack overload into ~30 actionable items by categorizing messages (DMs, group mentions, threads, channel mentions) and classifying them as action-required, need-to-read, or FYI.
- Use AI to build deterministic tools, not just perform tasks, by separating intelligent categorization from code that handles structured data via APIs.
- Leverage Perplexity Computer's multi-model orchestration (Sonnet for data fetch, Gemini for planning/coding, Opus for complex builds) with cloud connectors to deploy shareable apps without heavy setup.
- Adopt an anti-to-do list mindset: automate the tasks you despise and anticipate a future of personalized micro-software that extends existing platforms rather than replacing them.
Excerpt
I built a custom Slack inbox. It was easier than you think. | Yash Tekriwal (Clay) Listen now on YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts Brought to you by: Guru —The AI layer of truth ThoughtSpot —Build AI-powered analytics into your product In this episode, Claire talks with Yash Tekriwal , the head of education at Clay, about how he built a custom AI-powered Slack inbox that turns 150 daily notifications into around 30 that actually matter. Instead of reacting to messages, Yash designed a system that categorizes, prioritizes, and routes everything into a clean, actionable workflow. They walk through…