How to Connect OpenClaw to Slack

Prerequisites

• ✓A Slack workspace where you can create and install custom apps.
• ✓An OpenClaw gateway installation that you can run with the `openclaw gateway` command.
• ✓Network access from your OpenClaw gateway to Slack APIs; for HTTP mode you also need a public HTTPS URL reachable from Slack.

Steps

1. 1

   Create a Slack app for Socket Mode

   Create the Slack app first so you have the tokens OpenClaw needs. Use the manifest-based flow so scopes, events, and slash commands match what OpenClaw expects out of the box.

   textCopy

   In Slack app settings press the **[Create New App](https://api.slack.com/apps/new)** button:
   *   choose **from a manifest** and select a workspace for your app
   *   paste the [example manifest](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/slack#manifest-and-scope-checklist) from below and continue to create
   *   generate an **App-Level Token** (`xapp-...`) with `connections:write`
   *   install app and copy the **Bot Token** (`xoxb-...`) shown

2. 2

   Configure OpenClaw for Slack Socket Mode

   Wire the Slack app tokens into your OpenClaw config so the gateway can open a Socket Mode connection. slack` block for multi-account setups, or the env vars for a quick default-account setup.

   textCopy

   {
     channels: {
       slack: {
         enabled: true,
         mode: "socket",
         appToken: "xapp-...",
         botToken: "xoxb-...",
       },
     },
   }
   
   Env fallback (default account only):
   
   SLACK_APP_TOKEN=xapp-...
   SLACK_BOT_TOKEN=xoxb-...

3. 3

   Start the OpenClaw gateway for Slack Socket Mode

   Once the config is in place, start the gateway so it connects to Slack and begins consuming events. Keep this running in your usual process manager or terminal while you test DMs and channel mentions.

   bashCopy

   openclaw gateway

4. 4

   Create a Slack app for HTTP Request URLs

   If you prefer Slack to push events over HTTPS instead of sockets, create a second app (or update the manifest) for HTTP mode. You need the signing secret and consistent Request URLs so Slack can verify and deliver events to your gateway.

   textCopy

   In Slack app settings press the **[Create New App](https://api.slack.com/apps/new)** button:
   *   choose **from a manifest** and select a workspace for your app
   *   paste the [example manifest](https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/slack#manifest-and-scope-checklist) and update the URLs before create
   *   save the **Signing Secret** for request verification
   *   install app and copy the **Bot Token** (`xoxb-...`) shown

5. 5

   Configure OpenClaw for Slack HTTP mode

   Point OpenClaw at your Slack HTTP app by setting the bot token, signing secret, and webhook path. Use unique `webhookPath` values if you run multiple Slack accounts in HTTP mode so their registrations do not collide.

   textCopy

   {
     channels: {
       slack: {
         enabled: true,
         mode: "http",
         botToken: "xoxb-...",
         signingSecret: "your-signing-secret",
         webhookPath: "/slack/events",
       },
     },
   }
   
   Use unique webhook paths for multi-account HTTP Give each account a distinct `webhookPath` (default `/slack/events`) so registrations do not collide.

6. 6

   Start the OpenClaw gateway for Slack HTTP mode

   With HTTP mode configured, start the gateway so it begins serving the Slack events endpoint. Make sure your public URL and Slack Request URLs all point at the configured `webhookPath`.

   bashCopy

   openclaw gateway

7. 7

   Enable interactive replies and exec approvals (optional)

   Once basic messaging works, you can turn on interactive replies and native exec approvals so agents can render buttons and approval flows directly in Slack. slack` config tree and can be scoped globally or per account.

   jsonCopy

   {
     channels: {
       slack: {
         capabilities: {
           interactiveReplies: true,
         },
       },
     },
   }
   
   {
     channels: {
       slack: {
         accounts: {
           ops: {
             capabilities: {
               interactiveReplies: true,
             },
           },
         },
       },
     },
   }
   
   {
     channels: {
       slack: {
         execApprovals: {
           enabled: true,
           approvers: ["U12345678"],
           target: "both",
         },
       },
     },
   }

Configuration

Troubleshooting

openclaw channels status --probe
openclaw logs --follow
openclaw doctor

openclaw pairing list slack

openclaw channels status --probe --json

Frequently asked questions