slackcli

slackcli

A command-line interface for Slack, designed for both humans and AI agents.

Not the Official Slack CLI

This project is not affiliated with Slack or Salesforce. If you're looking to build Slack apps with workflows, triggers, and datastores, check out the official Slack CLI.

What's the difference?

Feature	slackcli (this project)	Official Slack CLI
Purpose	Direct API access for automation & scripting	Build and deploy Slack apps
Use cases	Read messages, search channels, AI agent integration	Workflows, triggers, datastores, app development
Authentication	Bot/User OAuth tokens	Slack app credentials
Complexity	Simple Python CLI	Full development framework

When to use slackcli:

• Reading and searching Slack messages
• Sending, editing, and deleting messages
• Sending direct messages to users
• Uploading files to channels
• Adding and removing reactions
• Pinning and unpinning messages
• Scheduling messages for later delivery
• Managing and searching users
• Automating channel exploration
• Integrating Slack into AI agents and scripts
• Quick API interactions from the terminal

Installation

First clone the repository, then:

# Install globally with uv (editable mode)
uv tool install -e .

Editable mode means updates are automatic after git pull - no reinstall needed.

Configuration

Create a configuration file at ~/.config/slackcli/config.toml:

# Default organization (optional)
default_org = "myworkspace"

[orgs.myworkspace]
token = "xoxp-your-user-token-here"

[orgs.another-workspace]
token = "xoxp-another-token"

Token Types

• xoxp-* - User token (recommended, full visibility)
• xoxb-* - Bot token (limited to channels where bot is invited)

See Creating a Slack API App for detailed setup instructions.

Claude Code Plugin

A Claude Code plugin is bundled with this repository, providing a skill that teaches Claude how to use the slack CLI autonomously.

# Install the slackcli CLI (if not already)
uv tool install -e .

# Add the marketplace and install the plugin
claude plugin marketplace add fprochazka/slackcli
claude plugin install slackcli@fprochazka-slackcli

To upgrade after a new release:

claude plugin marketplace update fprochazka-slackcli
claude plugin update slackcli@fprochazka-slackcli

Once installed, the skill auto-approves read-only commands (conversations list, messages list, search messages, users list, resolve, etc.). Write operations (messages send, messages edit, reactions add, etc.) still require manual approval.

Usage

Global Options

slack --org=myworkspace <command>  # Use specific organization
slack --verbose <command>          # Enable debug logging
slack --help                       # Show help

Environment Variables

Variable	Description
SLACK_ORG	Default organization name (alternative to --org)
SLACK_CONFIG	Path to config file (alternative to --config)

# Using environment variables
export SLACK_ORG=myworkspace
slack conversations list

# Or inline
SLACK_ORG=myworkspace slack conversations list

Conversations

# List all conversations (cached for 6 hours)
slack conversations list

# Filter by type
slack conversations list --public          # Public channels only
slack conversations list --private         # Private channels only
slack conversations list --dms             # DMs and group DMs only

# Filter by membership
slack conversations list --member          # Channels you're a member of
slack conversations list --non-member      # Channels you're not a member of

# Force refresh cache
slack conversations list --refresh

Messages

# List messages in a channel (default: last 25 messages, i.e. --tail 25)
slack messages list '#general'
slack messages list C0123456789

# Direction flags
slack messages list '#general' --tail 5                             # last 5 messages
slack messages list '#general' --head 5                             # first 5 in window
slack messages list '#general' --after 1234567890.123456            # messages after cursor (default 25, override with --head N)
slack messages list '#general' --before 1234567890.123456           # messages before cursor (default 25, override with --tail N)
slack messages list '#general' --after 1234567890.123456 --head 5   # next 5 newer
slack messages list '#general' --before 1234567890.123456 --tail 5  # previous 5 older