A method for shared folder backed integrated workspaces comprising: generating, by an online content management system, an online shared folder backed workspace that provides an integrated environment for manipulating content items in an online shared folder and communicating with authorized users of the online shared folder; generating a workspace graphical user interface representing the online shared folder backed workspace including representations of the content items in the online shared folder without including copies of the content items, each representation reflecting content of a corresponding content item of the content items and each representation comprising a preview image of the corresponding content item that dynamically updates to reflect changes made to the corresponding content item, a message stream for presenting workspace messages, wherein the message stream includes at least a first message from a first user and a second message from a second user, and user interface elements for generating new workspace messages; receiving a first e-mail from a mailing list associated with the online shared folder, the first e-mail comprising an attachment; responsive to receiving the first e-mail, storing the attachment in the online shared folder, and generating a workspace message that includes contents of the first e-mail and a link to the attachment in the online shared folder; receiving a new workspace message via the message stream of the workspace graphical user interface, the new workspace message including a link to a first content item stored in the online shared folder; adding the new workspace message to the message stream with the workspace message; converting the new workspace message into a second e-mail that includes contents of the new workspace message and the link to the first content item;; and sending the second e-mail to the mailing list associated with the online shared folder. generating, by an online content management system, an online shared folder backed workspace that provides an integrated environment for manipulating content items in an online shared folder and communicating with authorized users of the online shared folder; generating a workspace graphical user interface representing the online shared folder backed workspace including representations of the content items in the online shared folder without including copies of the content items, each representation reflecting content of a corresponding content item of the content items and each representation comprising a preview image of the corresponding content item that dynamically updates to reflect changes made to the corresponding content item, a message stream for presenting workspace messages, wherein the message stream includes at least a first message from a first user and a second message from a second user, and user interface elements for generating new workspace messages; receiving a first e-mail from a mailing list associated with the online shared folder, the first e-mail comprising an attachment; responsive to receiving the first e-mail, storing the attachment in the online shared folder, and generating a workspace message that includes contents of the first e-mail and a link to the attachment in the online shared folder; receiving a new workspace message via the message stream of the workspace graphical user interface, the new workspace message including a link to a first content item stored in the online shared folder; adding the new workspace message to the message stream with the workspace message; converting the new workspace message into a second e-mail that includes contents of the new workspace message and the link to the first content item;; and sending the second e-mail to the mailing list associated with the online shared folder.