> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://openworklabs.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

> ## Agent Instructions
> For agents: install the OpenWork desktop app with `brew install --cask openwork` (macOS) or from https://openworklabs.com/download. Do not run `npx openwork`; the npm package named `openwork` is a different project.
> Connect an agent to OpenWork with the MCP Gateway: `claude mcp add --transport http openwork https://api.openworklabs.com/mcp/agent`. Teams sign up at https://app.openworklabs.com?mode=sign-up.
> Step-by-step agent guide: https://openworklabs.com/docs/start-here/use-openwork-from-an-ai-agent.md
> Connect Slack (any organization admin): https://openworklabs.com/docs/slack/connect-slack.md. OpenWork in Slack (@openwork bot) is private alpha for approved organizations. Setup guide: https://openworklabs.com/docs/slack/overview.md. Agent skill: https://openworklabs.com/.well-known/agent-skills/set-up-openwork-slack/SKILL.md.

# Connect Slack to OpenWork

> Let OpenWork search, read and post in Slack as each person who signs in. An admin sets up your organization's Slack app once in about five minutes; then everyone signs in with their own Slack account.

Connect Slack once for your organization, and OpenWork can search, read and post in Slack as each person who signs in. You don't need any bot tokens or code.

[How to connect Slack to OpenWork](https://www.youtube.com/embed/cWuxzbZ5wXE)

## Before you start

* You're an **owner or admin** in OpenWork Cloud.
* You can **create apps in your Slack workspace**. If your workspace blocks app installs, a Slack admin needs to approve the app.
* Allow about five minutes. You'll switch between OpenWork Cloud and Slack's app settings.

Not an admin? Ask one to follow this page, then skip to [Everyone signs in](#everyone-signs-in).

## 1. Start the setup

Start from either place:

* **In the desktop app:** open **Library › Add to library › Connector**, pick **Slack**, then click **Set up in OpenWork Cloud**.
* **In OpenWork Cloud:** open **Manage › Connectors › Add a connector**, then pick **Slack**.

![Set up Slack in the desktop app, with the Set up in OpenWork Cloud button](https://mintcdn.com/differentai/BBz_k-EQ3JiXJSWQ/images/slack-connect/desktop-set-up-slack.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=BBz_k-EQ3JiXJSWQ\&q=85\&s=67757aca7df8659b22396b6cc60129db)

Either way, the **Add Slack** checklist opens in OpenWork Cloud.

## 2. Choose what OpenWork can do

Pick one option. Nothing is selected for you.

* **Read and act** (recommended): searches and reads messages, files and canvases, and posts, reacts and creates channels.
* **Read only**: searches and reads, but can't post or change anything in Slack.

OpenWork always acts as the person who signed in, and only sees what that person can already see.

![The Add Slack checklist in OpenWork Cloud](https://mintcdn.com/differentai/BBz_k-EQ3JiXJSWQ/images/slack-connect/cloud-choose-access.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=BBz_k-EQ3JiXJSWQ\&q=85\&s=52028ccc0997d43146bfe109bbde7dba)

## 3. Create the Slack app

1. Click **Create app in Slack**. Slack opens **Create from a manifest** with the redirect URL, scopes and MCP setting already filled in.
2. Under **Workspace**, pick your Slack workspace, then click **Next**.
3. Review the app and click **Create and Install**.
4. Click **Allow** to approve the app in your workspace.

![Slack's Review your app step](https://mintcdn.com/differentai/BBz_k-EQ3JiXJSWQ/images/slack-connect/slack-review-app.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=BBz_k-EQ3JiXJSWQ\&q=85\&s=a24adda143f38541eaf2e95aeefc53ce)

Already have a Slack app you want to use? Open **Use an existing Slack app** in the checklist. It has the redirect URL, scopes and manifest to copy into that app.

## 4. Add the client ID and secret

1. In Slack, click **Go to App Settings**. **Basic Information › App Credentials** shows the **Client ID** and **Client Secret**.
2. In Slack, open **Agents** and check that **Slack Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server** is on. Apps created from the manifest have it on already.
3. Back in the **Add Slack** checklist, turn on **MCP is on in my Slack app**.
4. Paste the **Client ID** and **Client secret**, then click **Save changes**.

Keep the client secret out of chats, screenshots and source control.

![The checklist with every step done except Sign in with Slack](https://mintcdn.com/differentai/BBz_k-EQ3JiXJSWQ/images/slack-connect/cloud-ready-to-sign-in.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=BBz_k-EQ3JiXJSWQ\&q=85\&s=b4d89089e13df245c388e0249ecf359e)

## 5. Sign in to test

1. Click **Sign in with Slack** and approve with your own Slack account.
2. When Slack shows **You're connected**, close that tab and go back to OpenWork Cloud.
3. The page should say **Slack passed all 5 checks**. If a check fails, it explains what to fix and offers **Check again**.

## 6. Choose who can use it and add Slack

1. Under **How people connect**, keep **Each person signs in** so everyone uses their own Slack account.
2. Under **Who can use it**, turn on **Everyone in the organization**, or add specific people and teams.
3. Click **Add Slack**.

![Slack passed all 5 checks, with sharing options](https://mintcdn.com/differentai/BBz_k-EQ3JiXJSWQ/images/slack-connect/cloud-checks-passed.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=BBz_k-EQ3JiXJSWQ\&q=85\&s=7f4f7503af5696742659b91731c574a7)

## Everyone signs in

Each person connects their own Slack account once:

* **In the desktop app:** open **Library**. Slack appears under **From OpenWork**. Click **Sign in with Slack** if it asks.
* **On the web:** open **Your Connections** and connect Slack.

Then try it. Ask something like *"Post a message in #general that says hello from OpenWork"* or *"Summarize what happened in #launch this week."*

![OpenWork posting a message in Slack](https://mintcdn.com/differentai/BBz_k-EQ3JiXJSWQ/images/slack-connect/desktop-post-in-slack.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=BBz_k-EQ3JiXJSWQ\&q=85\&s=c3f8f377d9bba980d0ac089911994562)

## Common questions

**The desktop app still says "Not set up for your organization."**
Go back to the **Library**. Slack shows as ready there once setup finishes in OpenWork Cloud.

**Sign-in fails with "The MCP server refused to start a session (HTTP 400)."**
In Slack, open the app whose client ID you saved, go to **Agents**, and turn on **MCP**. Then click **Check again**. See [Slack connection troubleshooting](https://openworklabs.com/docs/cloud/share-with-your-team/shared-mcp-connections.md#troubleshooting-slack).

**I don't see the checklist, only the client ID and secret fields.**
Your OpenWork may not have guided setup turned on yet (for example, a self-hosted install). Follow the [manual Slack steps](https://openworklabs.com/docs/cloud/share-with-your-team/shared-mcp-connections.md#slack) instead.

**Which scopes does OpenWork ask for?**
**Read and act** asks for all 30 user scopes Slack's MCP server offers. **Read only** asks for the same list without any `:write` scope. See [Slack scopes](https://openworklabs.com/docs/cloud/share-with-your-team/shared-mcp-connections.md#slack-scopes).

## Next

Want people to mention `@openwork` in Slack channels and DMs? See [OpenWork in Slack](https://openworklabs.com/docs/slack/overview.md) (private alpha). It uses the same Slack app you just created.


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