| name | slack-skill |
| version | 1.0.0 |
| description | Comprehensive Slack integration for messaging, channels, users, reactions, pins, and workspace management |
| author | Skill Engine Team |
| tags | ["slack","messaging","chat","communication","collaboration"] |
| allowed-tools | ["send-message","send-dm","list-channels","get-channel-info","list-users","get-user-info","update-message","delete-message","schedule-message","get-thread-replies","react","unreact","pin-message","unpin-message","create-channel","archive-channel","invite-to-channel","kick-from-channel","set-topic","set-purpose","get-presence","set-status","search-messages","upload-file","test-connection"] |
Slack Skill
Comprehensive Slack workspace integration with 30+ tools for messaging, channel management, user operations, reactions, pins, and more. Built with the Skill Engine SDK showcasing OAuth2 token-based authentication and the Slack Web API.
Overview
This skill provides full access to Slack's Web API, enabling automation of workspace communication and management tasks. It demonstrates type-safe parameter validation, structured error handling, and production-ready API integration patterns.
When to Use This Skill
Use this skill when you need to:
- Send messages to channels or direct messages to users
- Create, manage, and archive channels
- List and search workspace users and channels
- Add reactions and pin important messages
- Schedule messages for later delivery
- Manage threads and conversations
- Upload files and snippets
- Set user status and presence
- Search message history
- Automate Slack workflows
Prerequisites
- Slack Workspace: Admin or appropriate permissions
- Slack App: Create an app at api.slack.com/apps
- Bot Token: OAuth token with required scopes
Setting Up Your Slack App
- Go to https://api.slack.com/apps
- Click "Create New App" → "From scratch"
- Name your app (e.g., "Skill Engine Bot") and select your workspace
- Navigate to "OAuth & Permissions"
- Add Bot Token Scopes:
Required Scopes:
- chat:write (Send messages)
- channels:read (List public channels)
- users:read (List users)
- reactions:write (Add/remove reactions)
- pins:write (Pin messages)
- channels:manage (Create/archive channels)
- groups:write (Manage private channels)
- im:write (Send DMs)
- mpim:write (Manage group DMs)
- search:read (Search messages - optional)
- users:write (Set status - optional)
- files:write (Upload files - optional)
- Click "Install to Workspace" and authorize
- Copy the "Bot User OAuth Token" (starts with
xoxb-)
Configuration
Set the Slack token as an environment variable:
export SKILL_SLACK_TOKEN=xoxb-your-token-here
Or add to .skill-engine.toml:
[skills.slack-skill.instances.default]
config.slack_token = "${SLACK_TOKEN}"
Tools
Messaging Tools (4 tools)
send-message
Send a message to a Slack channel.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|
| channel | string | Yes | Channel name (without #) or channel ID |
| text | string | Yes | Message text (supports Slack markdown) |
| thread_ts | string | No | Thread timestamp to reply in thread |
Examples:
skill run slack-skill send-message channel=general text="Hello team!"
skill run slack-skill send-message channel=dev text="*Important:* New release deployed :rocket:"
skill run slack-skill send-message channel=general text="Follow-up message" thread_ts=1234567890.123456
send-dm
Send a direct message to a user.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|
| user | string | Yes | User ID (U12345) or @username |
| text | string | Yes | Message text |
Examples:
skill run slack-skill send-dm user=@john text="Hey, can you review PR #42?"
skill run slack-skill send-dm user=U12345ABC text="Meeting in 10 minutes"
update-message
Update an existing message.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|
| channel | string | Yes | Channel ID |
| ts | string | Yes | Message timestamp |
| text | string | Yes | New message text |
Example:
skill run slack-skill update-message channel=C123ABC ts=1234567890.123456 text="Updated: Meeting at 3pm"
delete-message
Delete a message.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|
| channel | string | Yes | Channel ID |
| ts | string | Yes | Message timestamp |
Example:
skill run slack-skill delete-message channel=C123ABC ts=1234567890.123456
schedule-message
Schedule a message for later delivery.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|
| channel | string | Yes | Channel ID or name |
| text | string | Yes | Message text |
| post_at | number | Yes | Unix timestamp for when to post |
Example:
skill run slack-skill schedule-message channel=general text="Daily standup reminder" post_at=1704283200
get-thread-replies
Get all replies in a thread.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Default | Description |
|---|
| channel | string | Yes | - | Channel ID |
| ts | string | Yes | - | Thread parent message timestamp |
| limit | number | No | 50 | Maximum replies to return |
Example:
skill run slack-skill get-thread-replies channel=C123ABC ts=1234567890.123456 limit=100
Channel Tools (6 tools)
list-channels
List channels in the workspace.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Default | Description |
|---|
| type | string | No | public | Filter: public, private, all |
| limit | number | No | 50 | Maximum channels to return (1-200) |
Examples:
skill run slack-skill list-channels
skill run slack-skill list-channels type=all limit=100
skill run slack-skill list-channels type=private
get-channel-info
Get detailed information about a channel.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|
| channel | string | Yes | Channel name or ID |
Example:
skill run slack-skill get-channel-info channel=general
skill run slack-skill get-channel-info channel=C123ABC
create-channel
Create a new channel.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Default | Description |
|---|
| name | string | Yes | - | Channel name (lowercase, no spaces) |
| is_private | boolean | No | false | Create as private channel |
Examples:
skill run slack-skill create-channel name=project-alpha
skill run slack-skill create-channel name=leadership is_private=true
archive-channel
Archive a channel (make it read-only).
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|
| channel | string | Yes | Channel ID |
Example:
skill run slack-skill archive-channel channel=C123ABC
invite-to-channel
Invite users to a channel.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|
| channel | string | Yes | Channel ID |
| users | string | Yes | Comma-separated user IDs |
Example:
skill run slack-skill invite-to-channel channel=C123ABC users=U111,U222,U333
kick-from-channel
Remove a user from a channel.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|
| channel | string | Yes | Channel ID |
| user | string | Yes | User ID to remove |
Example:
skill run slack-skill kick-from-channel channel=C123ABC user=U12345
set-topic
Set the topic for a channel.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|
| channel | string | Yes | Channel ID |
| topic | string | Yes | New topic text |
Example:
skill run slack-skill set-topic channel=C123ABC topic="Q1 2024 Planning"
set-purpose
Set the purpose/description for a channel.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|
| channel | string | Yes | Channel ID |
| purpose | string | Yes | New purpose text |
Example:
skill run slack-skill set-purpose channel=C123ABC purpose="Discuss project alpha milestones"
User Tools (4 tools)
list-users
List users in the workspace.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Default | Description |
|---|
| include_bots | boolean | No | false | Include bot users |
| limit | number | No | 50 | Maximum users to return (1-200) |
Examples:
skill run slack-skill list-users
skill run slack-skill list-users include_bots=true limit=100
get-user-info
Get information about a specific user.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|
| user | string | Yes | User ID or @username |
Examples:
skill run slack-skill get-user-info user=@john
skill run slack-skill get-user-info user=U12345ABC
get-presence
Get a user's presence status (active/away).
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|
| user | string | Yes | User ID |
Example:
skill run slack-skill get-presence user=U12345ABC
set-status
Set your own status (emoji and text).
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|
| status_text | string | Yes | Status text |
| status_emoji | string | No | Status emoji (e.g., :coffee:) |
| expiration | number | No | Unix timestamp when status expires |
Examples:
skill run slack-skill set-status status_text="In a meeting"
skill run slack-skill set-status status_text="On vacation" status_emoji=":palm_tree:"
skill run slack-skill set-status status_text="Do not disturb" status_emoji=":no_entry_sign:" expiration=1704290400
Reaction Tools (2 tools)
react
Add a reaction emoji to a message.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|
| channel | string | Yes | Channel ID |
| ts | string | Yes | Message timestamp |
| emoji | string | Yes | Emoji name (without colons) |
Examples:
skill run slack-skill react channel=C123ABC ts=1234567890.123456 emoji=thumbsup
skill run slack-skill react channel=C123ABC ts=1234567890.123456 emoji=rocket
skill run slack-skill react channel=C123ABC ts=1234567890.123456 emoji=heart
unreact
Remove a reaction from a message.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|
| channel | string | Yes | Channel ID |
| ts | string | Yes | Message timestamp |
| emoji | string | Yes | Emoji name (without colons) |
Example:
skill run slack-skill unreact channel=C123ABC ts=1234567890.123456 emoji=thumbsup
Pin Tools (2 tools)
pin-message
Pin a message to a channel.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|
| channel | string | Yes | Channel ID |
| ts | string | Yes | Message timestamp |
Example:
skill run slack-skill pin-message channel=C123ABC ts=1234567890.123456
unpin-message
Unpin a message from a channel.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|
| channel | string | Yes | Channel ID |
| ts | string | Yes | Message timestamp |
Example:
skill run slack-skill unpin-message channel=C123ABC ts=1234567890.123456
Search & Files (2 tools)
search-messages
Search for messages across the workspace (requires search:read scope).
| Parameter | Type | Required | Default | Description |
|---|
| query | string | Yes | - | Search query |
| count | number | No | 20 | Number of results |
| sort | string | No | score | Sort by: score or timestamp |
Examples:
skill run slack-skill search-messages query="deployment failed"
skill run slack-skill search-messages query="bug" count=50 sort=timestamp
upload-file
Upload content as a file (text snippets, code).
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|
| channels | string | Yes | Comma-separated channel IDs |
| content | string | Yes | File content |
| filename | string | Yes | Filename |
| filetype | string | No | File type (text, javascript, python, etc.) |
| title | string | No | File title |
| initial_comment | string | No | Comment to add with file |
Examples:
skill run slack-skill upload-file \
channels=C123ABC \
content="console.log('Hello');" \
filename=test.js \
filetype=javascript \
title="Test Script"
skill run slack-skill upload-file \
channels=C123ABC,C456DEF \
content="API logs from server..." \
filename=logs.txt \
filetype=text \
initial_comment="Here are today's logs"
Utility Tools (1 tool)
test-connection
Test the Slack API connection and verify token.
Parameters: None
Example:
skill run slack-skill test-connection
Workflows
Daily Standup Automation
skill run slack-skill send-message \
channel=engineering \
text=":wave: Good morning! Time for standup. Please share:\n1. What you did yesterday\n2. What you'll do today\n3. Any blockers?"
skill run slack-skill react channel=C123ABC ts=1234567890.123456 emoji=white_check_mark
Channel Management Workflow
skill run slack-skill create-channel name=project-phoenix
skill run slack-skill set-topic channel=C123ABC topic="Project Phoenix - Q1 2024"
skill run slack-skill set-purpose channel=C123ABC purpose="Coordinate Project Phoenix development"
skill run slack-skill invite-to-channel channel=C123ABC users=U111,U222,U333
skill run slack-skill send-message channel=project-phoenix text="Welcome to Project Phoenix! :rocket:"
Notification & Alert Workflow
skill run slack-skill send-message \
channel=alerts \
text=":rotating_light: *ALERT:* Database CPU usage >90%\nServer: prod-db-01\nTime: $(date)"
skill run slack-skill send-dm \
user=@oncall \
text="FYI: Alert triggered for database. Check #alerts channel."
skill run slack-skill pin-message channel=C123ABC ts=1234567890.123456
Status Update Workflow
skill run slack-skill set-status \
status_text="Lunch break" \
status_emoji=":fork_and_knife:" \
expiration=$(date -d '+1 hour' +%s)
skill run slack-skill set-topic \
channel=C123ABC \
topic="Sprint 42 (Jan 2-15) | Goal: Launch beta | Daily standup @9am"
Error Handling
The skill provides clear error messages for common issues:
| Error | Cause | Solution |
|---|
| 401 Authentication failed | Invalid or missing token | Check SKILL_SLACK_TOKEN is set correctly |
| 429 Rate limit exceeded | Too many requests | Wait and retry (headers show reset time) |
| channel_not_found | Channel doesn't exist | Verify channel name/ID |
| not_in_channel | Bot not in channel | Invite bot to channel first |
| invalid_auth | Token revoked or expired | Generate new token from Slack app settings |
| missing_scope | Token lacks required permission | Add scope in Slack app OAuth settings and reinstall |
Rate Limits
Slack API has tiered rate limits:
- Tier 1 (most endpoints): 1 request per second
- Tier 2 (chat.postMessage): 1 request per second per channel
- Tier 3 (search, files): Lower limits
- Tier 4 (special methods): Higher limits
The skill handles rate limit errors and includes retry information.
Security Notes
- Token Security: Store tokens in environment variables, never in code
- Scope Minimization: Only request scopes your bot needs
- Channel Access: Bot can only access public channels and private channels it's invited to
- User Privacy: Cannot read DMs between users (only bot's own DMs)
- Audit Logs: Slack maintains audit logs of all bot actions
Best Practices
- Use Channel Names When Possible: More readable than IDs in scripts
- Check Responses: Slack returns
ok: false for API errors even with 200 status
- Thread Conversations: Use
thread_ts to keep related messages together
- Format Messages: Use Slack's markdown for better readability
- Test in Private Channels: Test bots in private channels before public use
- Monitor Rate Limits: Check
X-Rate-Limit-* headers in responses
- Handle Errors Gracefully: Retry on rate limits, fail clearly on auth errors
Slack Markdown Reference
*bold text*
_italic text_
~strikethrough~
`code`
```code block```
> quote
• bulleted list
1. numbered list
<URL|link text>
<@U12345> (mention user)
<#C12345> (link to channel)
:emoji: (emoji by name)
Troubleshooting
Bot Not Receiving Permissions
skill run slack-skill test-connection
Cannot Find Channel
skill run slack-skill list-channels type=all
Messages Not Sending
echo $SKILL_SLACK_TOKEN
skill run slack-skill test-connection
skill run slack-skill send-message channel=general text="Test"
skill run slack-skill send-message channel=#general text="Test"
SDK Features Demonstrated
This skill showcases advanced SDK patterns:
1. Authenticated HTTP Client
const client = createAuthenticatedClient({
baseUrl: 'https://slack.com/api',
authType: 'bearer',
tokenKey: 'SLACK_TOKEN',
});
2. Error Handling with Context
if (response.status === 429) {
return err('Rate limit exceeded', errors.rateLimit());
}
3. Parameter Validation
{
name: 'channel',
paramType: 'string',
validation: {
minLength: 1,
maxLength: 80,
},
}
4. Enum Validation
{
name: 'type',
paramType: 'string',
validation: {
enum: ['public', 'private', 'all'],
},
}
Resources
Contributing
Contributions welcome! Possible enhancements:
- Slash command support
- Interactive message components
- Event subscriptions
- File download support
- Workflow builder integration
- Enterprise Grid features
