Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for automatically converting messages into a collaboration content item in a content management system. For example, a message conversion module on a computing system can receive a message or message thread addressed to one or more recipients. The message conversion module can generate a collaboration content item, which can be stored in the content management system. The collaboration content item can include the content of the message or message thread. The message conversion module can cause the content management system to share the collaboration content item with collaborators of the message or message thread such that one or more of the collaborators can access the collaboration content item and receive updates when the collaboration content item is modified.