Slack

The Slack channel does two things: lets users DM the bot for self-serve help, and lets the bot post notifications to channels (handoffs, alerts).

In this guide:

• Connect a Slack workspace
• Pick channels for notifications
• DM the bot
• Disconnect

Step 1: Connect

On your chatbot detail page, go to Actions → Slack, then click Connect to Slack. You’ll be redirected through Slack OAuth to grant the Hilal Chatbot app permission to:

• Read channel messages where it’s mentioned.
• Read DMs to the bot.
• Post messages to channels you select.
• Read minimal user info (name, email) for context.

Click Allow in Slack. You’re redirected back.

Screenshot: The “Connect to Slack” button on the chatbot’s Actions tab.

Step 2: Pick channels for notifications

After connection, pick which channels the bot can post to:

• Notification channel — where escalations and alerts are posted. Your support team’s main channel is a good choice.
• Allowed channels — channels where the bot will respond when @mentioned.

Screenshot: The channel picker showing the connected workspace’s channels.

The bot must be invited to each allowed channel — Slack requires explicit channel membership.

Step 3: DM the bot

In Slack, find the Hilal Chatbot app in your sidebar and start a DM. Type a question. The bot replies in the same DM thread, using the same knowledge as the web widget.

Step 4: @mention the bot in channels

In an allowed channel, type @HilalChatbot what's our refund policy? (or whatever the bot’s display name is). The bot replies in-thread.

Use Slack as a notification target

Beyond conversation, the bot can post to Slack as part of automations:

• Escalation notifications — when the bot can’t help, a notification posts to your support channel with a link to take over.
• Action confirmations — when an AI Action requires human approval, the request can post to Slack with Approve / Reject buttons. → Confirmation flows (New)

Step 5: Disconnect

In Actions → Slack, click Disconnect. The Slack OAuth tokens are revoked; the app is removed from your workspace’s app directory next time Slack syncs.

A workspace admin can also remove the app from the Slack admin console — that takes effect immediately.

Tips

• Use a dedicated bot user name. “Acme Bot” beats “Hilal Chatbot” for end users — it’s your bot.
• Customize the bot’s avatar in your Slack app config to match your branding.
• Don’t enable too many channels. A bot in every channel becomes noisy; pick a few key ones.

Troubleshooting

• Bot doesn’t reply in a channel. Did you /invite @HilalChatbot to that channel? Slack requires explicit membership.
• OAuth fails with “App not approved.” Your Slack workspace admin restricts third-party apps. Ask them to allow Hilal Chatbot in the workspace.
• DMs work but @mentions don’t. Verify the channel is in the allowed list and the bot is a member.

What’s next