Slack bot

Time to complete: 10 minutes

This guide walks you through building a Slack bot that responds to mentions in channels.

If you just want to send simple Slack messages without interactivity, check out our Slack webhook guide. And if you want an AI agent Slack bot, see our Slack agent guide.

Step 1: Remix the bot template

1. Remix this val to get started:

2. Copy the HTTP endpoint URL (via the … menu for main.tsx) - this is where Slack will send events to your Val Town bot.

Step 2: Create a Slack app

1. Go to Slack API and create a new app From Scratch
2. Name your app and select your workspace

Step 3: Add environment variables

In your val’s sidebar, add these Environment Variables:

• slackVerificationToken: From Settings → Basic Information → Verification Token
• slackToken: Leave empty (you’ll fill this after installing)

Step 4: Set up events

1. Go to Features → Event Subscriptions
2. Enable events and paste your val’s HTTP endpoint in Request URL
3. Subscribe to app_mention under Subscribe to bot events

Step 5: Set bot permissions

In OAuth & Permissions → Scopes, add:

• app_mentions:read (should already be there)
• chat:write

Step 6: Install your app

Go to Settings → Install App and install to your workspace.

Step 7: Add OAuth token

1. Copy the Bot User OAuth Token from OAuth & Permissions
2. Update your val’s slackToken environment variable

Step 8: Test your bot

1. Invite the bot to a channel
2. Mention the bot - it will reply!

What’s next?

You can find more Slack examples on our Templates page.