# Slack Integration

Add your Chipp AI to Slack and let team members interact with it directly in channels and DMs.


Deploy your Chipp AI to Slack so team members can interact with your AI assistant directly in Slack channels and direct messages.

## How It Works

Once connected, your AI becomes a Slack bot that:

- **Responds to mentions**: `@YourBot how do I reset my password?`
- **Uses threads**: Replies in threads to keep channels organized
- **Maintains context**: Remembers conversation history within each thread
- **Works everywhere**: Public channels, private channels, and DMs

## Key Features

| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **Threaded Conversations** | Every response goes in a thread, keeping channels clean |
| **Multi-user Support** | Multiple team members can participate in the same thread |
| **Context Retention** | Your AI remembers what was discussed earlier in each thread |
| **Direct Messages** | Chat privately with the bot in DMs |

## Setting Up Slack Integration

The Slack integration requires creating your own Slack app. Chipp provides a pre-configured manifest to make this easy.

<Steps>
  <Step title="1">
    <strong>Open Slack Configuration in Chipp</strong>

    Go to your Chipp app and click **Share** in the navigation. Select the **Deploy** tab and find the **Deploy to Slack** card. Click **Add Deployment**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="2">
    <strong>Create a Slack App</strong>

    1. Go to [api.slack.com/apps](https://api.slack.com/apps) in a new tab
    2. Click **Create New App**
    3. Select **From manifest**
    4. Choose your Slack workspace
  </Step>

  <Step title="3">
    <strong>Copy the Manifest from Chipp</strong>

    In the Chipp dialog, you'll see a JSON manifest section. Click **Copy** to copy the entire manifest to your clipboard.

    This manifest is pre-configured with:
    - Your app's name and branding
    - Required bot permissions
    - Event subscriptions
    - Webhook URLs pointing to Chipp
  </Step>

  <Step title="4">
    <strong>Paste and Create the App</strong>

    1. In Slack's app creation flow, select **JSON** format
    2. Delete any existing content and paste your copied manifest
    3. Click **Next**, then **Create**
  </Step>

  <Step title="5">
    <strong>Get Your App Credentials</strong>

    After creating the app, go to **Basic Information** under **Settings** in the left sidebar. You'll need three values:

    - **Client ID**: Found in "App Credentials" section
    - **Client Secret**: Click "Show" to reveal it
    - **Signing Secret**: Found below the Client Secret
  </Step>

  <Step title="6">
    <strong>Enter Credentials in Chipp</strong>

    Back in the Chipp dialog, enter all three credentials:

    - **Client ID**: The app's Client ID
    - **Client Secret**: The app's Client Secret
    - **Signing Secret**: The app's Signing Secret

    Click **Save Configuration**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="7">
    <strong>Install to Slack</strong>

    After saving credentials, click **Install to Slack**. You'll be redirected to authorize the bot in your workspace.

    <Callout type="warning">
    Only Slack workspace admins can install apps. If you're not an admin, ask your Slack administrator to complete the installation.
    </Callout>
  </Step>

  <Step title="8">
    <strong>Invite to Channels</strong>

    After installation, invite the bot to channels where you want to use it:

    ```
    /invite @YourBotName
    ```

    Replace `YourBotName` with your Chipp app's name.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Using the Slack Bot

### Basic Usage

Mention the bot followed by your question:

```
@YourBot How do I process a return?
```

The bot replies in a thread so the main channel stays clean.

### Following Up

Continue the conversation in the same thread - the bot remembers context:

```
@YourBot How do I process a return?
└── Bot: To process a return, go to Orders > Returns and...
    └── You: What if the customer doesn't have a receipt?
        └── Bot: Without a receipt, you can still process...
```

### Multiple Users

Team members can jump into threads. The bot considers all messages:

```
@YourBot Draft a response to this customer complaint
└── Bot: Here's a draft response...
    └── Alice: Make it more empathetic
    └── Bob: And mention our 30-day guarantee
        └── Bot: Here's the revised version incorporating both suggestions...
```

### Direct Messages

DM the bot for private conversations:

1. Find the bot in your Apps or search for it
2. Send a direct message
3. No need to @mention in DMs

## Best Practices

### Channel Organization

- **Create dedicated channels** for AI assistance (e.g., #ask-ai, #sales-bot)
- **Use private channels** for sensitive topics
- **Set channel topics** explaining what the bot can help with

### Prompt Engineering for Slack

Optimize your system prompt for team use:

```
You are a helpful assistant for the Acme Corp team in Slack.

When responding:
- Keep answers concise (Slack conversations should be quick)
- Use bullet points for lists
- If you need more context, ask clarifying questions
- For sensitive topics, suggest moving to a private channel
```

### Thread Management

- **One topic per thread**: Start a new message for different questions
- **Don't resurrect old threads**: Context has limits; start fresh for new topics
- **Use reactions**: Thumbs up or check to indicate resolved questions

## Managing Your Integration

### Editing Credentials

If you need to update your Slack app credentials:

1. Go to **Share** > **Deploy** > **Deploy to Slack**
2. Click **Manage Deployment**
3. Click **Edit Credentials**
4. Enter the new values and save

### Reinstalling

If you need to reinstall to a different workspace or fix permission issues:

1. Open the Slack deployment dialog
2. Click **Install to Slack**
3. Select the workspace and authorize

## Troubleshooting

### Bot Not Responding

1. Make sure the bot is invited to the channel (`/invite @YourBotName`)
2. Check that you're @mentioning the bot correctly
3. Verify your Chipp app is active and published

### "I don't have permission" Error

The bot needs to be installed by a workspace admin. Contact your Slack administrator to install the app.

### Bot Responding Slowly

1. Check your AI model - faster models respond quicker
2. Complex queries with custom actions take longer
3. High workspace usage can cause brief delays

### Installation Failed

1. Verify all three credentials are entered correctly
2. Make sure the Slack app was created with the correct manifest
3. Check that your Slack app is not restricted by workspace policies

## Security & Permissions

### What the Bot Can Access

- Messages where it's mentioned
- Messages in threads it's participating in
- DMs sent directly to the bot

### What the Bot Cannot Access

- Messages in channels where it's not invited
- Private messages between other users
- Files or messages it wasn't mentioned in

### Data Handling

- Conversations are processed through Chipp's secure infrastructure
- Messages are not stored beyond what's needed for context
- You can view conversation logs in your Chipp dashboard under **Chats**