Abstract: Manipulating work item data with a client application, such as a messaging application, that does not have native capability to manipulate work item data. A user interface is provided through the client application that enables a user to create, edit, delete, search, or otherwise manipulate a state of the work item data that is native to a work management application, such as a software development environment. In one embodiment, a work item toolbar is provided in the client application to enable a user to manipulate the work item data. Data fields of the work management application are mapped to data fields of the client application. In one embodiment, work item data is created or exchanged between a messaging client application and an independent software development environment through a shared data store. The work item data may be populated with default settings.