Connect Slack to Cowork
Read channels and threads for research. Extract conversation data. No posting by default.
What Cowork can do with Slack
- • Read public and private channel messages
- • Search messages by keyword, date, or user
- • Extract action items from conversation threads
- • Summarize discussions and decisions
- • Export channel data for analysis
- • Find files shared in channels
Setup guide
Connect Slack in Cowork settings
Open Cowork, go to Settings > Connectors > Slack. Click "Connect Slack" and authorize via Slack OAuth. Select your workspace and the channels you want Cowork to access.
Choose channels to grant access
You can grant access to specific channels only. Start with one or two channels to test before expanding access. Private channels require separate authorization.
Set posting permissions
By default, Cowork has read-only access to Slack — it cannot post messages. If you want Cowork to draft messages for your review, enable draft-only mode.
Test the connection
Ask Cowork: "List the last 5 messages in #general with author and timestamp." This confirms the connection is working.
Default permissions
- • Read messages from authorized channels
- • Search message history
- • Cannot post messages without your explicit confirmation
- • Cannot delete messages in read-only mode
- • Access limited to channels you specifically authorize
Frequently asked questions
What you need to know about connecting Slack to Claude Cowork.
- What can Claude Cowork do with Slack?
- Once connected, Claude can read channels and threads for research. Extract conversation data. No posting by default directly from Cowork, then turn the results into summaries, reports, and finished work.
- Is the Slack connector free in Claude Cowork?
- The connector is included with Cowork, which comes with Claude's paid plans (Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise). You connect your own Slack account, and standard Slack pricing still applies.
- What permissions does Claude need for Slack?
- You authorize access through Slack's standard connection flow and choose the scopes Claude can use. You can revoke access at any time.
- How do I connect Slack to Claude Cowork?
- Open Claude Settings, go to Connectors, find Slack, authorize the connection, and start using Slack in any Cowork conversation.
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