diff --git a/steps/slack-notify/slackNotify.js b/steps/slack-notify/slackNotify.js
index 05a66af..b618a9a 100644
--- a/steps/slack-notify/slackNotify.js
+++ b/steps/slack-notify/slackNotify.js
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ const markdownToMrkdwn = (text) => {
         text
             // Convert links: [text](url) -> <url|text>
             .replace(/\[([^\]]+)\]\(([^)]+)\)/g, '<$2|$1>')
+            // Convert bold: **text** -> *text* (mrkdwn renders ** literally)
+            .replace(/\*\*(?=\S)([^*\n]+?)(?<=\S)\*\*/g, '*$1*')
             // Convert headers: ## Header -> *Header*
             .replace(/^#{1,6}\s+(.+)$/gm, '*$1*')
             // Convert list items: - item -> • item
@@ -77,6 +79,8 @@ const sendMessage = (token, channel, text, threadTs, updateTs) =>
         req.end();
     });
 
+module.exports = { isValidSlackTs, markdownToMrkdwn };
+
 // Standalone runner
 if (require.main === module) {
     const token = process.env.SLACK_BOT_TOKEN;
diff --git a/steps/slack-notify/slackNotify.test.js b/steps/slack-notify/slackNotify.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c7b4dec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/steps/slack-notify/slackNotify.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+const test = require('node:test');
+const assert = require('node:assert/strict');
+const { markdownToMrkdwn } = require('./slackNotify');
+
+test('converts markdown bold to mrkdwn and leaves mrkdwn bold alone', () => {
+    assert.equal(
+        markdownToMrkdwn('⚠️ **Contains DB migrations** — roll-forward only'),
+        '⚠️ *Contains DB migrations* — roll-forward only',
+    );
+    assert.equal(markdownToMrkdwn('*Release — Started*'), '*Release — Started*');
+    assert.equal(markdownToMrkdwn('a ** b ** c'), 'a ** b ** c');
+});
+
+test('converts links, headers and list items', () => {
+    assert.equal(
+        markdownToMrkdwn('## Features\n- [APP-1: title](https://x.y/z)'),
+        '*Features*\n• <https://x.y/z|APP-1: title>',
+    );
+});