🎙️ This week on How I AI: Claude Cowork tutorial for non-engineers + Build your own Slack inbox (for $0)

04/13/26
Source: Lenny’s Newsletter by Lenny Rachitsky. Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of Building Custom AI-Powered Workflows to Manage Notifications and Automate Tasks

In this discussion, custom AI workflows transform overwhelming Slack notifications into a manageable, prioritized inbox by combining AI classification with deterministic code. Tools like Perplexity Computer and OpenClaw enable building personalized productivity software that automates repetitive tasks without requiring advanced technical skills. The concept of an anti-to-do list helps users focus on automating disliked tasks, paving the way for a future of micro-software tailored to individual workflows. This approach highlights how AI extends existing SaaS platforms rather than replacing them, creating highly personalized productivity ecosystems.

Optimixed’s Overview: Harnessing AI to Revolutionize Personal Productivity and Workflow Automation

Transforming Notification Overload into Actionable Workflows

Yash Tekriwal, head of education at Clay, developed a custom AI-powered Slack inbox that reduces 150 daily notifications to around 30 actionable messages. By categorizing notifications into direct messages, group mentions, threads, and channel mentions — then further sorting into action-required, need-to-read, or FYI — this system turns anxiety-inducing overload into an efficient workflow.

Building Deterministic AI Tools Instead of Repetitive Tasks

  • AI as a system-builder: Instead of using AI for repetitive categorization, Yash demonstrates using AI to write code that handles structured data through APIs, producing deterministic behavior.
  • OpenClaw and API integration: The Slack digest runs on API endpoints with most categorization managed by deterministic code, with AI only involved in final sorting decisions.

Perplexity Computer: Multi-Model Orchestration for Seamless Automation

Unlike single-model coding agents, Perplexity Computer orchestrates multiple AI models specialized in subtasks — fetching data, planning, coding, and complex builds — eliminating typical trial-and-error cycles. Its cloud deployment and native connectors to platforms like Gmail, Slack, Notion, and Asana enable easy app sharing and deployment without technical overhead, making automation accessible to non-technical users.

The Anti-To-Do List: Automate What You Hate Doing

Instead of a traditional to-do list, maintain an anti-to-do list comprising repetitive, disliked tasks such as deleting spam, entering meeting notes, or triaging messages. Dedicate daily time to automate these, freeing mental space and increasing productivity.

The Rise of Micro-Software and Personalized Productivity

  • Micro-software explosion: AI will fuel a surge of specialized, narrow-use-case software built atop existing SaaS platforms, rather than replacing them.
  • Custom apps for knowledge workers: Personalized software will fill gaps between broad SaaS solutions and individual workflows, optimizing how each person works best.

Empowering Non-Technical Users with AI-Driven Daily Operating Systems

JJ Englert from Tenex showcases how Claude Cowork enables non-technical knowledge workers to automate daily tasks like drafting emails, reviewing work, and planning days by creating a “brain” file that teaches AI their preferences and workflow. Building reusable AI skills tailored to personal style helps offload mundane work, allowing humans to focus on creativity and strategy.

Key Strategies for Effective AI Workflow Automation

  • Use “brain” files: Contextualize AI with detailed instructions to ensure consistent, personalized outputs.
  • Save good and bad examples: Train AI by showing what outputs to replicate or avoid.
  • Build skill libraries: Automate repetitive tasks that drain energy, progressively expanding your AI capabilities.
  • Apply projects beyond work: Use AI workflows for personal tasks such as home maintenance or event planning.

By combining these principles and tools, knowledge workers can seamlessly integrate AI into their routines, transforming productivity and personalizing their digital ecosystems without steep technical barriers.