Slack App Configuration

This page documents how to create, configure, and publish the Aileron Slack app. This is an Aileron developer/ops task — workspace admins and users don’t need this page.

• Workspace admins: see Installing Aileron to your workspace
• Users: see Connecting your Slack account

Create the Slack app

Go to api.slack.com/apps and create a new app from scratch.

Enable Agents & AI Apps

Sidebar → Agents & AI Apps → toggle ON. This enables the agent DM experience with suggested prompts, thinking indicators, and streaming responses.

OAuth & Permissions

Under Bot Token Scopes, add:

• assistant:write — agent thread interactions (auto-added when Agents feature is enabled)
• chat:write — post messages and stream responses
• im:history — receive DM messages from users
• commands — register slash commands

Under User Token Scopes, add:

• channels:history — read messages in public channels
• channels:read — list channels and their info
• chat:write — send messages as the user
• search:read — search message history for context
• users:read — look up user names

Under Redirect URLs, add both:

https://your-domain/v1/connect/slack/callback
https://your-domain/v1/slack/install/callback

The first handles user OAuth (when individual users connect their accounts). The second handles workspace bot installation.

App Credentials

From Basic Information, note:

• Client ID → SLACK_CLIENT_ID
• Client Secret → SLACK_CLIENT_SECRET
• Signing Secret → SLACK_SIGNING_SECRET

Configure environment variables

Set these on the Aileron cloud server:

SLACK_CLIENT_ID=your-client-id
SLACK_CLIENT_SECRET=your-client-secret
SLACK_SIGNING_SECRET=your-signing-secret

# For AI-powered draft generation:
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-your-key

# Optional — these are the defaults:
AILERON_LLM_MODEL_RESEARCH=claude-haiku-4-5-20251001   # fast model for tool-call decisions
AILERON_LLM_MODEL_SYNTHESIS=claude-sonnet-4-6           # capable model for composing the reply

The draft pipeline uses two models: a fast model gathers context via tool calls (research), and a capable model composes the reply in your voice (synthesis).

You also need AILERON_SYSTEM_VAULT_KEY configured — the Slack bot token (from workspace installation) is stored in the system vault, which requires this key for at-rest encryption.

Verify the server logs show:

enabled Slack connected accounts and source connector
enabled cloud draft generation  research_model=claude-haiku-4-5-20251001  synthesis_model=claude-sonnet-4-6
enabled Slack Events API webhook, interaction, command, and install endpoints

Enable Event Subscriptions, Interactivity, and Slash Commands

The Aileron server must be running before this step — Slack sends verification challenges immediately.

Event Subscriptions

1. Sidebar → Event Subscriptions → toggle ON
2. Request URL: https://your-domain/v1/webhooks/slack/events
3. Wait for the green checkmark
4. Under Subscribe to bot events, add:
   • assistant_thread_started
   • assistant_thread_context_changed
   • message.im
5. Click Save Changes

Interactivity & Shortcuts

1. Sidebar → Interactivity & Shortcuts → toggle ON
2. Request URL: https://your-domain/v1/webhooks/slack/interactions
3. Under Shortcuts, create a Message Shortcut:
   • Name: Draft reply with Aileron
   • Short Description: Generate an AI-drafted reply to this message
   • Callback ID: draft_reply
4. Click Save Changes

Slash Commands

1. Sidebar → Slash Commands → Create New Command
2. Command: /aileron
3. Request URL: https://your-domain/v1/webhooks/slack/commands
4. Short Description: Draft messages or ask questions with AI
5. Usage Hint: [draft a reply | ask a question]
6. Click Save

Publish to the Slack App Directory

1. Sidebar → Manage Distribution
2. Under “Share Your App with Other Workspaces”, ensure all checklist items are complete (redirect URLs, bot user, app description, privacy policy, etc.)
3. Click Activate Public Distribution
4. Submit for Slack review if required

Once published, workspace admins can install Aileron with one click from the App Directory.

Install to development workspace

For testing before publishing:

• Sidebar → Install App → Install to Workspace

When you authorize the app, Slack redirects to https://your-domain/v1/slack/install/callback. Aileron exchanges the code for a bot token and stores it in the system vault.

Troubleshooting