Tools We Use
Comprehensive guides for the digital tools that power Kyndof's daily operations.
Why This Section Matters
Tools are how we get work done. Understanding which tool to use for what purpose reduces friction, prevents duplicate work, and keeps information organized.
Whether you're new to these tools or just new to how we use them at Kyndof, these guides will help you work effectively from day one.
Tool Categories
Communication Tools
Slack Guide - Our primary real-time communication platform
- Channel organization and naming conventions
- Communication etiquette and best practices
- Key channels and their purposes
- Bot integrations and automations
Project & Knowledge Management
Notion Guide - Our central workspace for projects and documentation
- Workspace structure and navigation
- Key databases and their purposes
- Best practices for pages and properties
- Templates and how to use them
Development & Collaboration
GitHub Guide - Version control and code collaboration
- Repository structure and conventions
- Workflow for technical and non-technical users
- Issue tracking and project boards
- Pull requests and code reviews
Tool Selection Guide
Not sure which tool to use? Here's a quick reference:
| Need | Tool | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ask quick question | Slack | "Where's the Q4 budget spreadsheet?" |
| Real-time discussion | Slack | Team standup, urgent clarification |
| Announcement to team | Slack | "Deploy completed, new feature live" |
| Project documentation | Notion | Project brief, requirements, progress |
| Task tracking | Notion | Individual tasks with owners and deadlines |
| Knowledge base article | Notion or Wiki | Process documentation, how-to guide |
| Code or technical spec | GitHub | Source code, ADRs, technical designs |
| File sharing | Google Drive | Design files, spreadsheets, presentations |
| Video recording | Loom | Async demo, tutorial, walkthrough |
| Meeting | Zoom/Google Meet | Sync discussion, brainstorming, interviews |
Access and Onboarding
Getting Access
Your manager or HR will set up your accounts during onboarding. You should receive invitations to:
Day 1:
- Slack workspace
- Gmail account
- Zoom
Within first week:
- Notion workspace
- GitHub organization
- Google Drive folders
- Relevant SaaS tools for your role
If you're missing access to something you need, ask in #help on Slack.
Tool Proficiency Expectations
Everyone should be comfortable with:
- Slack for communication
- Notion for documentation and tasks
- Google Workspace (Gmail, Calendar, Drive)
- Zoom for meetings
Technical roles should additionally know:
- GitHub for code and version control
- Development tools specific to your tech stack
Design roles should additionally know:
- Figma for design collaboration
- Adobe Creative Suite (as needed)
Don't worry if you're not familiar with everything yet. These guides will help, and your team will support you as you learn.
Integration and Automation
Our tools work together through various integrations:
Slack ↔ Notion:
- Get Notion page updates in Slack channels
- Create Notion tasks from Slack messages
- Bot: @Nubabel handles bi-directional sync
Slack ↔ GitHub:
- Receive GitHub notifications in Slack
- PR and issue updates in project channels
- Code review reminders
Notion ↔ GitHub:
- Link GitHub issues to Notion tasks
- Track deployment status in Notion
- Project boards sync between platforms
Automation Tools:
- Zapier for custom workflows
- GitHub Actions for CI/CD
- Custom bots for Kyndof-specific workflows
Tool Best Practices
General Principles
Use the Right Tool for the Job: Don't force a tool to do something it wasn't designed for. Slack isn't a file server. GitHub isn't a project management tool for non-technical projects.
Keep Information Organized: Use proper naming conventions, folder structures, and tags. Future you (and your teammates) will thank you.
Don't Duplicate: Information should live in one canonical place. Link to that place from elsewhere rather than copying content.
Document as You Go: Don't wait until the end of a project to document. Document in Notion or wiki as you work.
Clean Up After Yourself: Archive old Slack channels, close completed GitHub issues, mark Notion projects as done. Don't leave digital clutter.
Security and Access Control
Sensitive Information:
- Never share passwords in Slack or email (use 1Password)
- Be mindful of what you post in public channels
- Use private channels for sensitive discussions
- Follow data classification guidelines
External Sharing:
- Default to "view only" when sharing externally
- Set expiration dates on shared links when possible
- Verify recipient before sharing client data
- Check with your manager before granting external access
Getting Help
Self-Service Resources
Slack: #help channel for quick questions
Notion: Tool Documentation database
Wiki: This section and related guides
External: Official documentation for each tool (linked in individual guides)
Training and Support
Onboarding Sessions: HR schedules tool training during your first week. These cover:
- Slack and communication norms
- Notion workspace tour
- GitHub basics (technical roles)
Office Hours: Corporate Operations holds weekly office hours for tool questions. Check calendar for schedule.
Peer Support: Your buddy and team members are great resources. Don't hesitate to ask.
Formal Training: If you need deeper training on a specific tool, talk to your manager about external courses or certifications.
Tool Changelog
We periodically review and update our tool stack:
Recently Added (2025):
- Loom for async video communication
- Figma for design collaboration
- Miro for virtual whiteboarding
Recently Removed:
- Trello (consolidated into Notion)
- Basecamp (consolidated into Notion)
Under Evaluation:
- Linear for issue tracking (potential GitHub alternative for product teams)
- Coda as Notion alternative for specific workflows
If you have suggestions for new tools or improvements to existing ones, share them in #feedback or with your manager.
Related Documentation
- Communication Norms - How we use tools to communicate
- Meeting Guidelines - Zoom and meeting best practices
- SOPs - Standard operating procedures using these tools
- First Week Guide - Tool setup during onboarding
Navigation:
Last Updated: 2026-02-03