slack-comms

name	slack-comms
description	Slack integration for team communication. Use when searching for context in channels, reading channel history, posting messages, or finding discussions about topics.
allowed-tools	Bash(python *)

Slack Communications

Authentication

Set the SLACK_BOT_TOKEN environment variable with your bot token (xoxb-*).

For search operations, set SLACK_USER_TOKEN with a user token (xoxu-*) — bot tokens cannot use Slack's search API.

---

Available Scripts

All scripts are in .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/

search_messages.py - Search Across Channels

Note: Requires a Slack user token (xoxu-*), not a bot token. Bot tokens cannot use the search API.

python .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/search_messages.py --query SEARCH_QUERY [--count N]

# Examples:
python .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/search_messages.py --query "refund policy"
python .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/search_messages.py --query "in:#support billing error"
python .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/search_messages.py --query "from:@jane onboarding" --count 30

get_channel_history.py - Read Channel Messages

python .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/get_channel_history.py --channel CHANNEL_ID [--limit N]

# Examples:
python .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/get_channel_history.py --channel C123ABC456
python .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/get_channel_history.py --channel C123ABC456 --limit 100

post_message.py - Post Messages

python .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/post_message.py --channel CHANNEL_ID --text MESSAGE [--thread THREAD_TS]

# Examples:
python .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/post_message.py --channel C123ABC456 --text "Here's the answer to your question"
python .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/post_message.py --channel C123ABC456 --text "Follow-up details" --thread 1705320123.456789

---

Slack Search Operators

Operator	Example	Purpose
in:#channel	in:#support	Search specific channel
from:@user	from:@jane	Messages from a user
has:reaction	has::eyes:	Messages with reactions
after:date	after:2024-01-15	After a date
before:date	before:2024-01-16	Before a date

---

Common Workflows

1. Find Context on a Topic

# Step 1: Search for discussions about a topic
python search_messages.py --query "authentication flow"

# Step 2: Check a specific channel for recent activity
python get_channel_history.py --channel C_ENGINEERING --limit 50

2. Search for Prior Answers

python search_messages.py --query "in:#helpdesk how to reset password"

3. Cross-Channel Research

# Search support channel
python search_messages.py --query "in:#support billing error"

# Search engineering channel
python search_messages.py --query "in:#engineering billing service"

---

Quick Commands Reference

Goal	Command
Search messages	search_messages.py --query "topic"
Channel history	get_channel_history.py --channel C123ABC
Post message	post_message.py --channel C123ABC --text "Update"
Reply to thread	post_message.py --channel C123ABC --text "..." --thread TS

---

Finding Channel IDs

• Channel IDs look like C123ABC456
• Get them from channel settings or by right-clicking → "Copy link"

---

Best Practices

Searching

• Be specific: Use channel filters (in:#channel) to reduce noise
• Use operators: Combine from:, after:, has: for precision
• Check multiple channels: Topics might be discussed across channels

Posting

• Use threads: Keep replies in threads, not the main channel
• Be concise: People scan messages quickly