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The Chat SDK provides a unified emoji system that works consistently across all platforms. Emoji are represented as immutable singleton EmojiValue objects that support object identity comparison.

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Quick Start

import { emoji } from "chat";

await thread.post(`Great job! ${emoji.thumbs_up} ${emoji.fire}`);
// Slack: "Great job! :+1: :fire:"
// Google Chat: "Great job! 👍 🔥"

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The emoji Helper

The emoji object provides type-safe access to all well-known emoji. 
import { emoji } from "chat";

// Use in messages (template strings call toString())
await thread.post(`${emoji.rocket} Deployed!`);

// Use in reactions
await message.addReaction(emoji.thumbs_up);

// Compare in event handlers (object identity)
chat.onReaction([emoji.thumbs_up, emoji.heart], async (event) => {
  if (event.emoji === emoji.thumbs_up) {
    console.log("User gave a thumbs up!");
  }
});

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EmojiValue

Immutable singleton objects representing emoji. 
interface EmojiValue {
  /** The normalized emoji name (e.g., "thumbs_up") */
  readonly name: string;
  /** Returns the placeholder string for message formatting */
  toString(): string;
  /** Returns the placeholder string (for JSON.stringify) */
  toJSON(): string;
}
Key Properties:
  • Object Identity: Same emoji name always returns same object instance, enabling === comparison
  • Template String Support: toString() is called automatically in template strings
  • Platform Conversion: Placeholders are automatically converted to platform-specific format
Example: 
const e1 = emoji.thumbs_up;
const e2 = emoji.thumbs_up;

console.log(e1 === e2); // true - same object
console.log(e1.name); // "thumbs_up"
console.log(String(e1)); // "{{emoji:thumbs_up}}"

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Well-Known Emoji

The SDK includes 80+ emoji that work across all platforms:

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Reactions & Gestures

emoji.thumbs_up
emoji.thumbs_down
emoji.clap
emoji.wave
emoji.pray
emoji.muscle
emoji.ok_hand
emoji.point_up
emoji.point_down
emoji.point_left
emoji.point_right
emoji.raised_hands
emoji.shrug
emoji.facepalm

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Emotions & Faces

emoji.heart
emoji.smile
emoji.laugh
emoji.thinking
emoji.sad
emoji.cry
emoji.angry
emoji.love_eyes
emoji.cool
emoji.wink
emoji.surprised
emoji.worried
emoji.confused
emoji.neutral
emoji.sleeping
emoji.sick
emoji.mind_blown
emoji.relieved
emoji.grimace
emoji.rolling_eyes
emoji.hug
emoji.zany

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Status & Symbols

emoji.check
emoji.x
emoji.question
emoji.exclamation
emoji.warning
emoji.stop
emoji.info
emoji["100"]
emoji.fire
emoji.star
emoji.sparkles
emoji.lightning
emoji.boom
emoji.eyes

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Status Indicators

emoji.green_circle
emoji.yellow_circle
emoji.red_circle
emoji.blue_circle
emoji.white_circle
emoji.black_circle

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Objects & Tools

emoji.rocket
emoji.party
emoji.confetti
emoji.balloon
emoji.gift
emoji.trophy
emoji.medal
emoji.lightbulb
emoji.gear
emoji.wrench
emoji.hammer
emoji.bug
emoji.link
emoji.lock
emoji.unlock
emoji.key
emoji.pin
emoji.memo
emoji.clipboard
emoji.calendar
emoji.clock
emoji.hourglass
emoji.bell
emoji.megaphone
emoji.speech_bubble
emoji.email
emoji.inbox
emoji.outbox
emoji.package
emoji.folder
emoji.file
emoji.chart_up
emoji.chart_down
emoji.coffee
emoji.pizza
emoji.beer

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Arrows & Directions

emoji.arrow_up
emoji.arrow_down
emoji.arrow_left
emoji.arrow_right
emoji.refresh

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Nature & Weather

emoji.sun
emoji.cloud
emoji.rain
emoji.snow
emoji.rainbow

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Custom Emoji

Add custom emoji using module augmentation and createEmoji().

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Step 1: Declare Custom Emoji Types

Create a .d.ts file: 
// types/chat.d.ts
import type { EmojiFormats } from "chat";

declare module "chat" {
  interface CustomEmojiMap {
    unicorn: EmojiFormats;
    company_logo: EmojiFormats;
  }
}

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Step 2: Create Emoji Helper

import { createEmoji } from "chat";

export const emoji = createEmoji({
  unicorn: { slack: "unicorn_face", gchat: "🦄" },
  company_logo: { slack: "company", gchat: "🏢" }
});

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Step 3: Use Custom Emoji

// Type-safe access to custom emoji
await thread.post(`${emoji.unicorn} Magic!`);

// Object identity comparison works
if (event.emoji === emoji.company_logo) {
  console.log("Company logo reaction!");
}

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createEmoji

Create a type-safe emoji helper with custom emoji. 
function createEmoji<T extends Record<string, EmojiFormats>>(
  customEmoji?: T
): BaseEmojiHelper & { [K in keyof T]: EmojiValue };

interface EmojiFormats {
  /** Slack emoji name (without colons), e.g., "+1", "heart" */
  slack: string | string[];
  /** Google Chat unicode emoji, e.g., "👍", "❤️" */
  gchat: string | string[];
}
Example: 
import { createEmoji } from "chat";

const emoji = createEmoji({
  // Single format per platform
  unicorn: {
    slack: "unicorn_face",
    gchat: "🦄"
  },
  // Multiple formats (for normalization)
  checkmark: {
    slack: ["white_check_mark", "heavy_check_mark"],
    gchat: ["✅", "✔️"]
  }
});

await thread.post(`${emoji.unicorn} Done ${emoji.checkmark}`);

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EmojiResolver

Converter between platform-specific formats and normalized emoji. 
class EmojiResolver {
  constructor(customMap?: EmojiMapConfig);
  
  fromSlack(slackEmoji: string): EmojiValue;
  fromGChat(gchatEmoji: string): EmojiValue;
  fromTeams(teamsReaction: string): EmojiValue;
  
  toSlack(emoji: EmojiValue | string): string;
  toGChat(emoji: EmojiValue | string): string;
  toDiscord(emoji: EmojiValue | string): string;
  
  matches(rawEmoji: string, normalized: EmojiValue | string): boolean;
  extend(customMap: EmojiMapConfig): void;
}
Example: 
import { defaultEmojiResolver, emoji } from "chat";

// Convert from platform format
const e1 = defaultEmojiResolver.fromSlack("+1");
const e2 = defaultEmojiResolver.fromGChat("👍");
console.log(e1 === e2); // true - both resolve to thumbs_up

// Convert to platform format
console.log(defaultEmojiResolver.toSlack(emoji.thumbs_up)); // "+1"
console.log(defaultEmojiResolver.toGChat(emoji.thumbs_up)); // "👍"

// Check if raw emoji matches normalized
console.log(defaultEmojiResolver.matches("+1", emoji.thumbs_up)); // true
console.log(defaultEmojiResolver.matches("👍", emoji.thumbs_up)); // true

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getEmoji

Get or create an immutable singleton EmojiValue. 
function getEmoji(name: string): EmojiValue;
Example: 
import { getEmoji } from "chat";

const e1 = getEmoji("thumbs_up");
const e2 = getEmoji("thumbs_up");

console.log(e1 === e2); // true - same object
console.log(e1.name); // "thumbs_up"

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convertEmojiPlaceholders

Convert emoji placeholders in text to platform-specific format. 
function convertEmojiPlaceholders(
  text: string,
  platform: "slack" | "gchat" | "teams" | "discord" | "github" | "linear",
  resolver?: EmojiResolver
): string;
Example: 
import { convertEmojiPlaceholders } from "chat";

const text = "Thanks! {{emoji:thumbs_up}} {{emoji:fire}}";

console.log(convertEmojiPlaceholders(text, "slack"));
// "Thanks! :+1: :fire:"

console.log(convertEmojiPlaceholders(text, "gchat"));
// "Thanks! 👍 🔥"

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Usage in Event Handlers

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Reaction Events

import { emoji } from "chat";

// Listen for specific emoji
chat.onReaction([emoji.thumbs_up, emoji.heart], async (event) => {
  // Use object identity comparison
  if (event.emoji === emoji.thumbs_up) {
    console.log("Thumbs up!");
  } else if (event.emoji === emoji.heart) {
    console.log("Heart!");
  }
  
  // Access raw platform format
  console.log("Raw emoji:", event.rawEmoji);
});

// Listen for all reactions
chat.onReaction(async (event) => {
  console.log(`User reacted with ${event.emoji.name}`);
});

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Adding Reactions

import { emoji } from "chat";

// Add reaction to a message
await message.addReaction(emoji.check);
await message.addReaction(emoji.thumbs_up);

// Remove reaction
await message.removeReaction(emoji.check);

// Platform-specific format also works
await message.addReaction(":+1:"); // Slack
await message.addReaction("👍"); // Google Chat/Teams

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Platform Format Reference

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Slack

  • Format: :emoji_name:
  • Example: :+1:, :fire:, :heart:
  • Colons are automatically added/removed by the SDK

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Google Chat

  • Format: Unicode emoji
  • Example: 👍, 🔥, ❤️

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Teams

  • Format: Predefined reaction types
  • Supported: like, heart, laugh, surprised, sad, angry
  • Maps to: thumbs_up, heart, laugh, surprised, sad, angry

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Discord

  • Format: Unicode emoji (same as Google Chat)
  • Example: 👍, 🔥, ❤️

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Complete Example

import { emoji, createEmoji } from "chat";
import type { EmojiFormats } from "chat";

// Extend with custom emoji
declare module "chat" {
  interface CustomEmojiMap {
    priority_high: EmojiFormats;
    priority_low: EmojiFormats;
  }
}

const customEmoji = createEmoji({
  priority_high: { slack: "red_circle", gchat: "🔴" },
  priority_low: { slack: "green_circle", gchat: "🟢" }
});

// Message with emoji
chat.onNewMention(async (thread, message) => {
  await thread.post(
    `${emoji.wave} Hello! Processing your request ${emoji.gear}`
  );
  
  // Do work...
  
  await thread.post(
    `${emoji.check} Done! ${customEmoji.priority_low}`
  );
});

// Reaction handling
chat.onReaction([emoji.thumbs_up, emoji.thumbs_down], async (event) => {
  if (event.emoji === emoji.thumbs_up) {
    await event.thread.post(
      `Thanks for the positive feedback, ${event.user.userName}!`
    );
  } else {
    await event.thread.post(
      `We'll work on improving. ${emoji.pray}`
    );
  }
});

// Add reactions to messages
const sent = await thread.post("Ready to deploy?");
await sent.addReaction(emoji.rocket);
await sent.addReaction(emoji.check);
await sent.addReaction(customEmoji.priority_high);