Slackbot#

Slack is a team communication platform with channels, direct messages, file sharing, and workflow automation. This integration uses managed OAuth through ClawLink to provide comprehensive Slack workspace automation -- from messaging and channel management to file handling, reactions, reminders, and canvases.

Setup in 3 Steps#

Step 1: InstallStep 2: Pair AccountStep 3: Connect Slack_App-specific connection GIF coming soon_Run the install command in OpenClawSign in and approve the deviceOpen the dashboard and connect Slack

How It Works#

text

┌─────────────────┐     ┌──────────────┐     ┌──────────────────┐
│   OpenClaw      │────▶│   ClawLink   │────▶│   Slack API      │
│   (User Chat)   │     │   (OAuth)    │     │                  │
└─────────────────┘     └──────────────┘     └──────────────────┘

Install#

bash

openclaw plugins install clawhub:clawlink-plugin
openclaw config set tools.alsoAllow '["clawlink-plugin"]' --strict-json
openclaw gateway restart

Quick Start#

Send a message to a channel:

text

clawlink_execute_tool --integration slackbot --tool slackbot_send_message --args '{"channel": "C01234567", "markdown_text": "Deployment complete. All systems operational."}'

Search for messages in the workspace:

text

clawlink_execute_tool --integration slackbot --tool slackbot_search_messages --args '{"query": "quarterly report"}'

List all channels in the workspace:

text

clawlink_execute_tool --integration slackbot --tool slackbot_list_all_channels

Authentication#

Slack uses OAuth 2.0 managed by ClawLink. No API keys are needed. Authorize your Slack workspace through the ClawLink dashboard. The connection is stored securely and refreshed automatically.

Connect at: https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=slackbot

Connection Management#

List connections:

text

clawlink_list_integrations

Verify connection:

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clawlink_execute_tool --integration slackbot --tool slackbot_fetch_team_info

Reconnect: If a connection expires, visit the dashboard URL above and reconnect Slack.

Security & Permissions#

• Read operations (listing channels, messages, users, files, searching) are safe and require no confirmation.
• Write operations (sending messages, creating channels, scheduling, managing reactions) modify data and require confirmation.
• Destructive operations (deleting messages, files, canvases, scheduled messages) are high-impact and irreversible.

Tool Reference#

Messaging (Chat)#

ToolDescriptionModeslackbot_send_messagePost a message to a channel, DM, or private groupWriteslackbot_updates_a_messageUpdate an existing message by timestampWriteslackbot_deletes_a_message_from_a_chatDelete a message by channel and timestampWrite (Destructive)slackbot_send_ephemeral_messageSend a message visible only to one user in a channelWriteslackbot_send_me_messageSend a /me message displayed as a third-person actionWriteslackbot_schedule_messageSchedule a message for future delivery (up to 120 days)Writeslackbot_delete_scheduled_messageDelete a pending scheduled messageWrite (Destructive)slackbot_customize_url_unfurlCustomize URL preview content in a messageWrite

Channel (Conversation) Management#

ToolDescriptionModeslackbot_list_all_channelsList conversations available to the userReadslackbot_find_channelsFind channels by name, topic, purpose, or descriptionReadslackbot_retrieve_conversation_informationRetrieve metadata for a conversation by IDReadslackbot_retrieve_conversation_members_listRetrieve paginated member IDs for a channelReadslackbot_fetch_conversation_historyFetch chronological messages from a channelReadslackbot_fetch_message_thread_from_a_conversationRetrieve replies to a specific parent messageReadslackbot_create_channelCreate a public or private channelWriteslackbot_join_an_existing_conversationJoin an existing conversation by IDWriteslackbot_leave_conversationLeave a conversation by channel IDWriteslackbot_invite_users_to_a_channelInvite users to a channel by their Slack user IDsWriteslackbot_remove_user_from_conversationRemove a user from a conversationWrite (Destructive)slackbot_archive_conversationArchive a conversation (makes it read-only)Writeslackbot_unarchive_channelReverse conversation archivalWriteslackbot_rename_conversationRename a Slack channelWriteslackbot_set_conversation_purposeSet the purpose text for a conversationWriteslackbot_set_the_topic_of_a_conversationSet or update the topic for a conversationWriteslackbot_set_read_cursor_in_a_conversationMark a message as the most recently readWriteslackbot_close_conversationClose a DM or MPDM from the sidebarWriteslackbot_open_dmOpen or resume a DM with one or more usersWrite

User Operations#

ToolDescriptionModeslackbot_list_all_usersList all users with profile details in the workspaceReadslackbot_find_usersFind users by email, name, or display nameReadslackbot_find_user_by_email_addressFind a user by their registered emailReadslackbot_retrieve_detailed_user_informationRetrieve comprehensive info for a user IDReadslackbot_retrieve_user_profile_informationRetrieve profile information for a userReadslackbot_get_user_presenceRetrieve a user's real-time presence statusReadslackbot_set_user_presenceManually set a user's presence (active/away)Write

File Operations#

ToolDescriptionModeslackbot_list_files_with_filters_in_slackList files with filtering by user, channel, or typeReadslackbot_retrieve_detailed_information_about_a_fileRetrieve file metadata and commentsReadslackbot_download_fileDownload file content and get a public URLReadslackbot_upload_or_create_a_file_in_slackUpload files, images, or documents to channelsWriteslackbot_delete_filePermanently delete a file by IDWrite (Destructive)slackbot_delete_file_commentDelete a comment from a fileWrite (Destructive)slackbot_enable_public_sharing_of_a_fileGenerate a public URL for a fileWriteslackbot_revoke_file_public_sharingRevoke a file's public URLWrite (Destructive)

Remote File Operations#

ToolDescriptionModeslackbot_list_remote_filesList remote files added to SlackReadslackbot_get_remote_fileRetrieve information about a remote fileReadslackbot_add_remote_fileAdd a reference to an external file (Google Drive, etc.)Writeslackbot_share_remote_fileShare a remote file into channelsWriteslackbot_update_remote_fileUpdate metadata for an existing remote fileWriteslackbot_remove_remote_fileRemove a Slack reference to an external fileWrite (Destructive)

Reaction Operations#

ToolDescriptionModeslackbot_fetch_item_reactionsFetch reactions for a message, file, or file commentReadslackbot_list_user_reactionsList all reactions added by a specific userReadslackbot_add_reaction_to_an_itemAdd an emoji reaction to a messageWriteslackbot_remove_reaction_from_itemRemove an emoji reaction from an itemWrite (Destructive)

Pin Operations#

ToolDescriptionModeslackbot_list_pinned_itemsList all pinned messages and files in a channelReadslackbot_pin_itemPin a message to a channelWriteslackbot_unpin_itemUnpin a message from a channelWrite (Destructive)

Reminder Operations#

ToolDescriptionModeslackbot_list_remindersList all reminders for the authenticated userReadslackbot_get_reminderRetrieve details of a specific reminderReadslackbot_create_a_reminderCreate a new reminder (supports natural language time)Writeslackbot_delete_reminderDelete an existing reminderWrite (Destructive)

Call Operations#

ToolDescriptionModeslackbot_get_call_infoRetrieve a point-in-time snapshot of a callReadslackbot_start_callRegister a new call in SlackWriteslackbot_end_callEnd an ongoing Slack callWrite (Destructive)slackbot_update_call_infoUpdate call title, join URL, or desktop app URLWriteslackbot_add_call_participantsRegister participants added to a callWriteslackbot_remove_call_participantsRegister participants removed from a callWrite

Canvas Operations#

ToolDescriptionModeslackbot_lookup_canvas_sectionsLook up section IDs in a CanvasReadslackbot_create_canvasCreate a new Slack Canvas with optional contentWriteslackbot_edit_canvasEdit a Canvas with granular content operationsWriteslackbot_delete_canvasDelete a Canvas permanentlyWrite (Destructive)

User Group Operations#

ToolDescriptionModeslackbot_list_user_groupsList all user groups in the workspaceReadslackbot_list_user_group_membersList all user IDs within a user groupReadslackbot_create_user_groupCreate a new user group (subteam)Writeslackbot_update_user_groupUpdate user group details (name, description, handle)Writeslackbot_update_user_group_membersReplace all members of a user groupWriteslackbot_enable_user_groupRe-enable a disabled user groupWriteslackbot_disable_user_groupDisable (archive) a user groupWrite

Search Operations#

ToolDescriptionModeslackbot_search_messagesSearch messages with query modifiers and date rangesReadslackbot_search_allUnified search across messages and filesRead

Team & Emoji Operations#

ToolDescriptionModeslackbot_fetch_team_infoFetch metadata about the current Slack teamReadslackbot_get_team_profileRetrieve profile field definitions for the teamReadslackbot_list_custom_emojisList all custom emojis for the workspaceReadslackbot_get_bot_userRetrieve information about a specific bot userReadslackbot_list_conversationsList conversations accessible to a userRead

DND (Do Not Disturb) Operations#

ToolDescriptionModeslackbot_get_user_dnd_statusRetrieve a user's DND statusReadslackbot_retrieve_current_user_dnd_statusRetrieve the current user's DND statusRead

Code Examples#

Send a message to a channel:

json

{
  "tool": "slackbot_send_message",
  "args": {
    "channel": "C01234567",
    "markdown_text": "Build completed successfully. See details at https://ci.example.com/123"
  }
}

Schedule a message for later:

json

{
  "tool": "slackbot_schedule_message",
  "args": {
    "channel": "C01234567",
    "post_at": 1750000000,
    "text": "Standup starts in 10 minutes!"
  }
}

Search messages with filters:

json

{
  "tool": "slackbot_search_messages",
  "args": {
    "query": "from:@john in:#engineering after:2026-05-01"
  }
}

Create a channel and invite users:

json

{
  "tool": "slackbot_create_channel",
  "args": {
    "name": "project-phoenix",
    "is_private": false
  }
}

Add a reaction to a message:

json

{
  "tool": "slackbot_add_reaction_to_an_item",
  "args": {
    "channel": "C01234567",
    "timestamp": "1234567890.123456",
    "name": "thumbsup"
  }
}

Discovery Workflow#

1. Call clawlink_list_integrations to confirm slackbot is connected.
2. Call clawlink_list_tools --integration slackbot to see the live catalog.
3. Use slackbot_list_all_channels to discover channels (returns channel IDs needed for other tools).
4. Use slackbot_find_users to locate specific users.

Execution Workflow#

text

Read Flow:
  list_all_channels → retrieve_conversation_information → fetch_conversation_history
  find_channels → get channel ID → fetch_conversation_history → fetch_message_thread

Write Flow:
  find_channels → get channel ID → send_message (confirm)
  find_users → open_dm → send_message (confirm)

Search Flow:
  search_messages / search_all → retrieve results → act on specific messages

Notes#

• Always use resolved channel IDs (not display names) for operations. Names may be non-unique.
• fetch_conversation_history only returns main channel timeline messages. For threaded replies, use fetch_message_thread_from_a_conversation with the parent message's thread_ts.
• Sending messages is not idempotent -- duplicate calls create duplicate messages.
• Rate limiting applies at approximately 1 request per second for message posting. Honor Retry-After headers on 429 responses.
• Threaded replies require the parent message's ts value, not the thread's ID.
• When opening a DM, use open_dm first to get the DM channel ID, then use that ID with send_message.

Error Handling#

Status / ErrorMeaningchannel_not_foundInvalid channel ID; use find_channels to resolve names to IDsnot_in_channelBot is not a member of the target channelchannel_is_archivedChannel is archived; unarchive it firstusers_not_foundEmail not registered, user inactive, or privacy settings hide it429 Too Many RequestsRate limited; wait for Retry-After seconds before retrying

Troubleshooting#

Tools Not Visible#

Run clawlink_list_tools --integration slackbot to verify the integration is active. If empty, reconnect at https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=slackbot.

Channel Not Found#

Use slackbot_find_channels with exact_match=false to locate channels. Channel names are converted to lowercase. Private channels require the bot to be a member.

Message Not Sent#

Verify the bot is a member of the target channel. Use find_channels to confirm the channel ID is correct. Check that markdown_text or blocks content is provided.

Thread Replies Not Found#

Use fetch_message_thread_from_a_conversation with the parent message's thread_ts, not the channel's ts. The parent message's thread_ts is found in fetch_conversation_history results.

Resources#

• Slack API Docs: https://api.slack.com/docs
• ClawLink: https://claw-link.dev/?utm_source=clawhub&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=slackbot
• ClawLink Docs: https://docs.claw-link.dev/openclaw

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