Doist Redesigns Twist: A Slack Alternative for Async Work

Doist Revamps Twist for Focused Internal Communication

Doist, the creators of Todoist and Twist, has significantly updated its internal communication platform, Twist. Initial impressions of Twist positioned it as a less disruptive alternative to Slack. This latest redesign reinforces that core principle.

The outcome is a purposefully designed tool intended to enhance focus and maintain team alignment during internal discussions.

The Rise of Asynchronous Communication

Development of Twist commenced prior to the global coronavirus pandemic. However, its relevance has dramatically increased in recent times.

Many teams transitioned to remote work over the last few years, often utilizing platforms like Microsoft Teams or spending considerable time in Zoom meetings.

Doist’s founder, Amir Salihefendic, believes these tools present inherent challenges. He has long advocated for asynchronous communication.

Platforms such as Slack and Microsoft Teams frequently interrupt workflows with constant notifications and chat messages. Maintaining focus, particularly across different time zones, becomes difficult. Simultaneously managing multiple conversations within a single channel is also problematic.

Twist's Core Differentiation: Threaded Conversations

Twist continues to distinguish itself from Slack through its fundamental approach to conversations. Every interaction within Twist occurs as a dedicated thread.

To initiate a discussion, users select a channel – for example, #design, #ios, or #support – and then begin a new thread with a descriptive title and accompanying text.

Following the initial post, other users can contribute comments, react with emojis, and directly tag relevant individuals.

Direct messaging is available for quick feedback, specific questions, or private exchanges. However, these messages are not intended for critical work-related discussions.

A Redesigned User Interface

The user interface has undergone a complete overhaul, presenting a cleaner aesthetic designed to minimize distractions and promote concentration.

Doist has transitioned from a three-column layout – channels on the left, threads in the center, and the active thread on the right – to a more streamlined two-column design.

This new layout prioritizes the current thread, allowing for more focused engagement.

Opening a thread now expands it to occupy the majority of the screen, facilitating better conversation tracking. The list of other threads is hidden, eliminating potential distractions.

Enhanced Inbox and New Features

The inbox view has been refined to provide a clear overview of missed content within followed threads.

Users can easily review these threads, add comments, and manage their interactions. Completed threads can be marked as “Done,” moving them to a dedicated “Done” view.

Additional improvements include new keyboard shortcuts for efficient thread navigation and an enhanced search functionality.

Twist is priced at $5 per user per month with an annual subscription. A free trial is available, limited to one month of comment and message history.