Customize & integrate > Integrations > Connectors
Slack
Read channels and threads, search, post and react.
The Slack connector lets Mel's agent read your Slack channels, threads and members, search messages, post messages and add reactions. It runs on your own Slack token: a bot token posts as your app, a user token posts as you.
Connect it
- Create a Slack app at api.slack.com/apps and install it to your workspace.
- Copy its bot token (
xoxb-…) or a user token (xoxp-…). - In Mel, open Settings ▸ Connectors, find Slack and click Connect, then paste the token and click Save and connect.
The token is stored on your computer; each call you approve carries it through Mel's server, which forwards it to the service and does not store it.
What the agent can do
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
whoami | Which workspace and identity the token is |
list_channels | The channels the token can see |
read_channel | Recent messages in a channel |
read_thread | The replies in a thread |
search_messages | Search messages (user token only) |
list_users | Members of the workspace |
post_message | Post to a channel, or reply in a thread |
add_reaction | Add an emoji reaction to a message |
Good to know
- Messages are at most 4,000 characters. A longer message is refused with its length, never cut.
- A bot must be in the channel to post there. Invite it with
/invite, or give itchat:write.publicfor public channels. - Search needs a user token. With a bot token, Mel says so before sending anything.
- Mentions like
<!channel>,<!here>and<@U…>notify people, so check the approval card. - When Slack refuses a call, Mel passes on Slack's reason and the next step (for example a missing scope).
Limitations
- Mel sees only what the token can see.
- No file uploads, and no editing or deleting messages.
FAQ
Bot token or user token? A bot token posts as your app and can't search. A user token posts as you and can search. Pick the one that matches what you'll ask for.
See Connectors for how connectors work in general.