Slack Inbox

Once your workspace is connected, anyone on the team can put an agent to work without leaving Slack — mention @m8tes in a channel, or just send it a direct message.

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 (the Slack card in the channels row → Add to Slack). 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. Just 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, unless you address a specific one by its handle (see below).

Who on my team can trigger runs?

Anyone in the connected workspace, by default. Restrict per agent with allowed senders — from the Slack card's access controls on the home dashboard, or via 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.

Target a Specific Agent (API)

A handle lets a mention address one agent directly: @m8tes <handle> <task>. Set slack_slug (the keyword after the @mention) and turn on inbound_slack_enabled:

Now anyone in the workspace can run it:

• Handle format: lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens, 1-64 chars, starting with a letter or number. Unique per account. An invalid handle returns 422; a handle already used by another agent returns 409.
• Enable requires a handle. inbound_slack_enabled=true without a slack_slug returns 422. Without a handle, no @mention could address the agent.

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 connected workspace can trigger the agent: the workspace install is the trust boundary. Lock it to specific people with allowed_slack_senders (Slack user IDs; the installer is always allowed):

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

Disable

The handle is kept, so re-enabling later reuses it. To free the handle for another agent, set slack_slug to a new value (or clear it while disabled).

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