Slack Inbox

Once Slack is connected, mention @m8tes in a channel or DM it. No leaving Slack.

Use It from Slack

In a channel. Invite the bot once (/invite @m8tes; it can't join on its own), then mention it with a task:

The agent runs and replies in a thread. Replies in that thread continue the same run. No re-tagging needed.

In a DM. Message @m8tes directly. No channel, no mention. Your main agent picks it up, and the conversation continues like any chat.

Connecting

Connect your Slack workspace once from the home dashboard (click the Slack card in the channels row). After connecting, the bot DMs you a quick start.

Branding. Agents answer through the shared @m8tes Slack app. Your own Slack app, with your bot name and avatar, is a setup we do with you: email sales@m8tes.ai.

FAQ

Do I always have to tag @m8tes?

Only to start. The first message in a channel needs the mention; replies in the run's thread continue it untagged. DMs never need a mention.

Can I DM it directly?

Yes. Message @m8tes. It routes to your main agent.

Why does Slackbot say "they're not in this channel"?

The bot can't join channels itself. /invite @m8tes once per channel (works for private channels too).

Which agent answers?

Your main agent (the Lead Mate), unless the channel is assigned to a specialist Mate. @m8tes in that room is enough; nobody types a handle.

Who on my team can trigger runs?

Anyone in the workspace that installed the app, by default. Guests from other workspaces (shared or Slack Connect channels) are never included: a Slack user ID belongs to one workspace, so listing a guest's ID does not admit them. Restrict per agent with allowed senders (Slack card on the home dashboard, or the API below).

Can I send several messages at once?

One run per conversation at a time. If a run is mid-flight, the bot asks you to resend once it has replied.

Assign a Channel to a Specialist (API)

Bind Slack channels on a specialist agent so @m8tes in those rooms reaches it. Every other channel and every DM still reaches the Lead Mate. One agent per channel.

from m8tes import M8tes

client = M8tes()

bot = client.agents.create(
    name="ppc bot",
    instructions="Answer PPC questions and pull campaign stats",
    slack_channels=[{"team_id": "T0123ABC", "channel_id": "C0123456789", "name": "ads"}],
)

Now in #ads:

• One agent per channel. Binding a room another agent already owns returns 409.
• The Lead Mate cannot be bound (422). It already answers every unbound channel and every DM.
• Pass slack_channels=[] to unbind.

This is the inbound counterpart to the agent-initiated Slack DM tool. Here, a human triggers the agent from Slack.

Restrict Who Can Trigger It

By default, any member of the installing workspace can trigger the agent. Guests from another workspace (shared / Slack Connect) cannot, even if they can see the channel; listing their user ID does not help. This allowlist only narrows who may trigger within your workspace. Lock it with allowed_slack_senders (Slack user IDs; the installer is always allowed):

client.agents.update(
    bot.id,
    allowed_slack_senders=["U0123ABC", "U0456DEF"],
)

Same allowlist model as every inbox channel: see Allowed Senders.

Disable

client.agents.update(bot.id, slack_channels=[])

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