A shared work space application provides a work space that is commonly accessible across devices and applications so that a user can select and drop items into the shared work space and then pick them up again later using the same or different devices and applications. The shared work space application can use available inputs and data to surface contextually-relevant reminders to the user that there are items in the shared work space that he or she has not finished using. A task or project can be completed from within a variety of different applications and devices using the shared work space and items can be combined into a single object for sharing with one or more of the user's contacts. The shared work space application can also provide a convenient launch point into other communication applications and sharing experiences.