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Operator integrates with Slack via Socket Mode, which opens a persistent WebSocket connection to Slack’s servers. This means you do not need to expose a public HTTPS endpoint to receive events — the connection is outbound from your server. The channel supports:
  • Direct messages and channel messages
  • Thread replies (replies stay in the originating thread)
  • App mentions (@YourBot in a channel)
  • Slash commands
  • File uploads (images, documents) sent by users
  • Sending files back to users via SendMedia
  • 👀 reaction on inbound messages while the agent is thinking, replaced with ✅ when the reply is sent

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Setup

1

Create a Slack App

Go to api.slack.com/apps and click Create New App → From scratch. Give it a name and pick your workspace.
2

Enable Socket Mode

In the left sidebar, go to Settings → Socket Mode and toggle it on. Slack will generate an App-Level Token (starts with xapp-). Copy it — this is your app_token.
3

Add bot scopes

Go to OAuth & Permissions → Scopes → Bot Token Scopes and add:
ScopePurpose
chat:writeSend messages
im:historyRead DMs
channels:historyRead channel messages
groups:historyRead private channel messages
app_mentions:readReceive @mention events
reactions:writeAdd/remove emoji reactions
files:readDownload files shared by users
files:writeUpload files to Slack
commandsRegister slash commands (optional)
4

Subscribe to events

Go to Event Subscriptions and enable it. Under Subscribe to bot events, add:
  • message.im — DMs
  • message.channels — public channel messages
  • message.groups — private channel messages
  • app_mention — @mentions in channels
5

Install the app

Go to OAuth & Permissions and click Install to Workspace. After authorizing, copy the Bot User OAuth Token (starts with xoxb-). This is your bot_token.
6

Configure Operator

Add the following to your config.json:
{
  "channels": {
    "slack": {
      "enabled": true,
      "bot_token": "xoxb-your-bot-token",
      "app_token": "xapp-your-app-token",
      "allow_from": ["U01234ABCDE"],
      "reasoning_channel_id": ""
    }
  }
}
7

Invite the bot to channels

In Slack, open any channel where you want to use the agent and type /invite @YourBotName. For DMs, you can message the bot directly.

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Configuration reference

​
enabled
boolean
required
Set to true to activate the Slack channel.
​
bot_token
string
required
The Bot User OAuth Token for your Slack app. Starts with xoxb-. Found under OAuth & Permissions after installing the app to your workspace.
​
app_token
string
required
The App-Level Token used for Socket Mode. Starts with xapp-. Generated under Settings → Socket Mode. Must have the connections:write scope.
​
allow_from
array of strings
Slack user IDs (e.g. "U01234ABCDE") allowed to message the agent. Find your user ID in your Slack profile under More → Profile → three-dot menu → Copy member ID.Leave empty to allow all workspace members. See Common configuration fields for format options.
​
reasoning_channel_id
string
A Slack channel ID (e.g. "C0987ZYXWVU") where agent reasoning traces are sent. Leave empty to disable. See Messaging channels for details.

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Messaging the agent

Direct message: Open the app’s DM and type your message. In a channel: Either @mention the bot (@YourBot what is the weather?) or, if mention_only is disabled in group_trigger, send any message in a channel the bot is a member of. Threads: Replies in threads are routed back to the same thread automatically. The chatID used internally is channelID/threadTimestamp.
The Slack channel sends a 👀 reaction to the inbound message as soon as the agent starts processing. When the reply is sent, the reaction is replaced with ✅. This gives users instant feedback that their message was received.

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