How to Connect OpenClaw to Slack

Slack's official bot API makes it one of the more reliable OpenClaw integrations. Unlike WhatsApp, there's no bridge or session to maintain — you create a Slack app, get a token, and connect.

Step 1: Create a Slack App

1. Go to api.slack.com/apps
2. Click Create New App → From scratch
3. Name it (e.g. "OpenClaw") and select your workspace
4. Click Create App

Step 2: Configure Bot Permissions

In the left sidebar, go to OAuth & Permissions. Under Bot Token Scopes, add:

Step 3: Enable Event Subscriptions

1. In the sidebar, go to Event Subscriptions → toggle Enable Events
2. Request URL: https://your-openclaw-domain.com/integrations/slack/events
   • If running locally, use ngrok to expose your local port temporarily
3. Subscribe to Bot Events:
   • app_mention — when someone @mentions your bot
   • message.im — DMs sent to the bot

Save changes.

Step 4: Install the App to Your Workspace

1. Go to OAuth & Permissions → Install to Workspace
2. Authorise the app
3. Copy the Bot User OAuth Token (starts with xoxb-)

Step 5: Configure OpenClaw

Add the Slack integration to ~/.openclaw/config/integrations.yml:

integrations:
  slack:
    enabled: true
    bot_token: "xoxb-your-token-here"
    signing_secret: "your-signing-secret"   # From Basic Information → App Credentials
    listen_to_channels:
      - "general"       # Add channels to monitor (without #)
      - "ai-assistant"
    default_channel: "ai-assistant"    # Where proactive messages go
    mention_trigger: true              # Respond to @mentions
    dm_trigger: true                   # Respond to DMs

Restart OpenClaw:

openclaw restart

Step 6: Test the Connection

In Slack, go to a monitored channel and send:

@OpenClaw hello

Or open a DM with your bot and send any message. OpenClaw should respond within a few seconds.

Usage Patterns

Personal DM Use

Treat the Slack DM with your bot like a WhatsApp conversation — message naturally, use your prompt templates, and OpenClaw will respond using your SOUL.md rules and memory.

Team Use in a Channel

If sharing with a team, add a clear system prompt scoped to your workspace:

soul_overrides:
  slack:
    prefix: |
      This Slack workspace is for [Company/Project Name].
      When responding in channels, keep answers professional and concise.
      Users may be: [list team members or roles].

Proactive Scheduled Messages

Configure a daily summary post:

scheduled_tasks:
  - name: "daily-brief"
    cron: "0 9 * * 1-5"    # Weekdays at 9am
    action: "summarise_day"
    channel: "ai-assistant"
    prompt: "Post a brief summary of my open tasks and priorities for today."

Slack vs WhatsApp for OpenClaw

For personal use, WhatsApp feels more natural. For team or professional use, Slack is more appropriate and more reliable.

Troubleshooting

Bot not responding to mentions:

• Check that app_mention is subscribed in Event Subscriptions
• Verify the bot is invited to the channel: /invite @YourBotName

"dispatch_failed" in event logs:

• Your Request URL isn't reachable. Verify OpenClaw is running and the URL is correct.
• Check for firewall rules blocking inbound HTTP.

Duplicate responses:

• If you're both monitoring channel history and using event subscriptions, you may process messages twice. Disable one or add deduplication in config.

Related reading:

• How to Connect OpenClaw to WhatsApp and Telegram
• OpenClaw Custom Skills and Plugins
• OpenClaw Hooks Guide