> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.chatbotplatform.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Slack Channel

> Integrate your bot with Slack workspaces

Connect your bot to Slack workspaces with full thread support, workspace events, and native typing indicators.

<Frame caption="Slack channel setup instructions">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chatbotplatform/QhGUbEN05MzAjt2K/images/screenshots/03-channels/02_slack_setup_instructions.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=QhGUbEN05MzAjt2K&q=85&s=1c0f7ace1fe344c25fa58cf85998cd29" alt="Slack setup" width="1920" height="941" data-path="images/screenshots/03-channels/02_slack_setup_instructions.png" />
</Frame>

## Prerequisites

* Slack workspace with admin access (or permission to install apps)
* Ability to create Slack apps at [api.slack.com/apps](https://api.slack.com/apps)

## Creating a Slack App

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create App">
    Go to [api.slack.com/apps](https://api.slack.com/apps) and click **Create New App**.

    Choose **From scratch** and provide:

    * App name (e.g., "Support Bot")
    * Workspace to develop in
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure OAuth Scopes">
    Go to **OAuth & Permissions** and add these Bot Token Scopes:

    * `chat:write` - Send messages
    * `channels:history` - Read public channel messages
    * `groups:history` - Read private channel messages
    * `im:history` - Read DM messages
    * `mpim:history` - Read group DM messages
    * `users:read` - Get user information
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install to Workspace">
    Click **Install to Workspace** and authorize the app.

    Copy the **Bot User OAuth Token** (starts with `xoxb-`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Get Signing Secret">
    Go to **Basic Information** and find **Signing Secret**.

    Click **Show** and copy the secret.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Note App ID">
    Copy your **App ID** from the Basic Information page.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Connecting to Chatbot Platform

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create Slack Channel">
    In Chatbot Platform, navigate to your bot's channels and click **Create Channel**.

    Select **Slack**.

    <Frame caption="Slack channel creation form">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chatbotplatform/QhGUbEN05MzAjt2K/images/screenshots/03-channels/03_slack_form.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=QhGUbEN05MzAjt2K&q=85&s=8d3ed4687492e8e20efd7820fd377b7a" alt="Slack form" width="1920" height="941" data-path="images/screenshots/03-channels/03_slack_form.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Credentials">
    Fill in the form:

    <Frame caption="Slack credentials filled in">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chatbotplatform/QhGUbEN05MzAjt2K/images/screenshots/03-channels/04_slack_credentials_filled.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=QhGUbEN05MzAjt2K&q=85&s=0e7f2cb4e01cb5904efe08e247240eef" alt="Slack credentials" width="1920" height="941" data-path="images/screenshots/03-channels/04_slack_credentials_filled.png" />
    </Frame>

    * **Bot Token**: Paste the `xoxb-...` token
    * **Signing Secret**: Paste the signing secret
    * **App ID**: Paste the app ID (optional but recommended)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy Webhook URL">
    After creating the channel, copy the generated webhook URL.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Event Subscriptions">
    Back in your Slack app settings:

    1. Go to **Event Subscriptions**
    2. Enable events
    3. Paste the webhook URL into **Request URL**
    4. Wait for verification (green checkmark)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Subscribe to Bot Events">
    Add these bot events:

    * `message.channels` - Messages in public channels
    * `message.groups` - Messages in private channels
    * `message.im` - Direct messages
    * `message.mpim` - Group direct messages
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and Reinstall">
    Click **Save Changes** and reinstall the app to your workspace.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Callout type="info">
  The webhook URL verification happens automatically when you paste it into Slack's settings.
</Callout>

## Features

### Thread Support

Slack channels maintain thread-aware conversations:

```
Main channel message → New conversation
  ↳ Thread reply 1 → Same conversation
  ↳ Thread reply 2 → Same conversation
New main message → Different conversation
```

Each thread is treated as a separate conversation with its own context.

### Direct Messages

1:1 conversations in DMs work seamlessly with full context history.

### Channel Messages

Bot can participate in:

* Public channels (if invited)
* Private channels (if invited)
* Group DMs

### Native Typing Indicators

Slack shows typing indicators natively when enabled in bot behavior settings.

## Testing

<Steps>
  <Step title="Invite Bot to Channel">
    In a Slack channel, type:

    ```
    /invite @YourBotName
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send Message">
    @mention your bot or send a DM:

    ```
    @YourBotName Hello!
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Response">
    Bot should respond using your configured integration.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Configuration

### Bot Mention Requirement

Configure whether bot requires @mention in channels:

**Option 1: Require @mention**

* Bot only responds when @mentioned
* Quieter in busy channels
* User intent is clear

**Option 2: All Messages**

* Bot sees all channel messages
* Can respond to any message
* May be noisy in active channels

Configure via message detection settings.

### Home Tab (Coming Soon)

Future support for Slack's Home Tab feature for bot configuration UI.

### Slash Commands (Coming Soon)

Register custom slash commands like `/support` or `/ask`.

## Troubleshooting

### Events Not Received

**Check**:

* Event subscriptions are enabled
* Webhook URL is verified (green checkmark)
* Bot events are subscribed
* App is reinstalled after changes

### Bot Not Responding

**Check**:

* Bot token starts with `xoxb-`
* Required OAuth scopes are granted
* Bot is invited to the channel
* Integration is configured and working

### Verification Failed

If webhook URL won't verify:

* Ensure channel is created and active
* Check webhook URL is copied correctly
* No extra spaces or characters in URL
* Try creating new channel if needed

### Duplicate Messages

If bot responds multiple times:

* Check for duplicate event subscriptions
* Verify only one channel per Slack app
* Review event logs for duplicates

## Slack App Distribution

### Private Distribution

For single workspace:

* Install to your workspace only
* No approval process needed
* Immediate access

### Public Distribution (Future)

To distribute to other workspaces:

* Submit for Slack App Directory review
* Follow Slack's app guidelines
* Handle multi-workspace authentication

Currently, Chatbot Platform supports single-workspace installations per channel.

## Security

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Request Signing" icon="signature">
    All requests verified using Slack signing secret
  </Card>

  <Card title="OAuth Tokens" icon="key">
    Bot tokens securely stored and encrypted
  </Card>

  <Card title="Minimal Scopes" icon="shield">
    Only request necessary permissions
  </Card>

  <Card title="Workspace Isolation" icon="building">
    Each workspace has separate configuration
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Rate Limits

Slack enforces rate limits:

| Tier                      | Limit         |
| ------------------------- | ------------- |
| Tier 1 (chat.postMessage) | 1 per second  |
| Tier 2 (user info)        | 20 per minute |
| Tier 3 (channel list)     | 50 per minute |
| Tier 4 (files)            | 20 per minute |

The platform handles rate limiting automatically.

## Best Practices

**Do**:

* Test in a private channel first
* Set clear app description and icon
* Use threads for context
* Enable typing indicators for better UX

**Don't**:

* Expose bot token or signing secret
* Respond to all messages in busy channels
* Forget to handle thread context
* Skip OAuth scope review

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Telegram Channel" icon="telegram" href="/bots/channels/telegram">
    Also deploy to Telegram
  </Card>

  <Card title="Should Respond Detection" icon="messages" href="/bots/behaviors/should-respond">
    Configure thread awareness
  </Card>
</CardGroup>