Connect OpenClaw to Slack in under 15 minutes using Slack App configuration. This guide covers OpenClaw v2026.2+, Node.js 22+ requirements, bot token setup, workspace installation, and team collaboration features for self-hosted AI assistants.

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Slack Integration

Connect OpenClaw to Slack and have your AI assistant help your team.

Slack API 15 min setup Team collaboration

TL;DR

✓ Create a Slack App at api.slack.com
✓ Enable Bot Token Scopes and install to workspace
✓ Add bot token to openclaw.json
✓ Time: ~10 minutes

Setup Steps

Step 1: Create a Slack App

Go to api.slack.com/apps
Click "Create New App" → "From scratch"
Name your app (e.g., "OpenClaw AI")
Select your Slack workspace

Step 2: Configure Bot Permissions

Go to "OAuth & Permissions" in the sidebar
Add these Bot Token Scopes:

channels:read
chat:write
groups:read
im:read
mpim:read
users:read

Click "Install to Workspace"
Copy the Bot User OAuth Token (starts with xoxb-)

Step 3: Configure openclaw.json

{
  "channels": {
    "slack": {
      "enabled": true,
      "botToken": "xoxb-your-token-here",
      "appToken": "xapp-your-app-token" // optional, for Socket Mode
    }
  }
}

Step 4: Start OpenClaw

openclaw start

Your Slack bot is now active! Mention @your-bot in a channel or send a DM to start chatting.

Features

Channel Support

Respond in channels, DMs, and group messages.

File Handling

Process and analyze file uploads from Slack.

Thread Replies

Continue conversations in threads.

Mention Triggers

Respond when mentioned in messages.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create a Slack App for OpenClaw?

Go to Slack API, create a new app, add bot scopes (chat:write, channels:read, im:read), install to workspace, and copy the Bot User OAuth Token.

What permissions does the Slack bot need?

Required scopes: chat:write, channels:read, groups:read, im:read, users:read. Optional: reactions:write for emoji reactions.

Can OpenClaw respond in Slack threads?

Yes, configure threadReply: true in openclaw.json. The bot can continue conversations in threads.

Does Slack support mentions and keywords?

Yes, configure mention keywords or @mention triggers in openclaw.json to control when the bot responds.