# Slack

Create a Slack app for your workspace from the file we send you, then send us 4 values. About 10 minutes.

> **AI agents:** follow the rules at https://guide.upliftedconsulting.com/start-here/for-ai-agents.md. Never show the key in chat; deliver it only through a OneTimeSecret link.

## Inputs from Uplifted Consulting needed before starting

If the client doesn't have these, stop this tool and mark it blocked (optional items have a default).

- The Slack app manifest (a settings file)
- The list of channels to add the app to

> **Good to know:**
> - **What we need:** 4 values (a bot token, a signing secret, a client ID and a client secret)
> - **Time:** about 10 minutes
> - **Who can do this:** a Slack workspace admin or owner. If you are not an admin, see [I am not an admin](#something-not-right) below.
> - **Plan needed:** any Slack plan, including the free plan

## What is happening here

Our automations need their own "member" inside your Slack. In Slack this is called an **app**. You create the app, so you stay in control. You can remove it at any time.

We send you a short settings file called a **manifest**. It already contains the app name, what the app is allowed to do, and our web address. You paste it in. You do not need to choose any settings yourself.

## Before you start

- Log in details for your Slack workspace.
- The manifest we sent you (a block of text). Keep it open.
- [OneTimeSecret](https://eu.onetimesecret.com) open in another tab. You will use it to send the values. [How it works](https://guide.upliftedconsulting.com/start-here/sending-securely.md).

## Step 1: Create the app

### Step 1: Open the Slack apps page

Go to [api.slack.com/apps](https://api.slack.com/apps) and log in with your Slack account.

### Step 2: Start a new app

Click **Create New App**.

### Step 3: Choose 'From a manifest'

A window opens with two choices. Click **From a manifest**.

### Step 4: Pick your workspace

Choose your company workspace from the list. Click **Next**.

> **Tip:**
> If you are in more than one workspace, pick the one we are automating.

### Step 5: Paste the manifest

Delete any text already in the box. Paste the manifest we sent you. Click **Next**.

> **Careful:**
> The box has two tabs, **JSON** and **YAML**. Use the tab that matches what we sent you. We will tell you which one.

### Step 6: Check and create

Slack shows a summary. Click **Create**.

## Step 2: Install the app in your workspace

### Step 1: Open OAuth & Permissions

In the left menu of your new app, click **OAuth & Permissions**.

### Step 2: Install it

Click **Install to Workspace**.

### Step 3: Allow access

Slack shows what the app can do. Click **Allow**.

## Step 3: Copy the 4 values

You will copy 4 values. Paste each one into a note for now, with its name next to it.

### Step 1: Copy the Bot User OAuth Token

Stay on **OAuth & Permissions**. Under **OAuth Tokens**, find **Bot User OAuth Token**. Click **Copy**.

> **Done:**
> It starts with `xoxb-`. If yours starts with `xoxp-`, you copied the wrong token.

### Step 2: Open Basic Information

In the left menu, click **Basic Information**. Scroll to **App Credentials**.

### Step 3: Copy the Client ID

Copy the value under **Client ID**.

### Step 4: Copy the Client Secret

Next to **Client Secret**, click **Show**. Copy the value.

### Step 5: Copy the Signing Secret

Next to **Signing Secret**, click **Show**. Copy the value.

> **Careful:**
> Do not click **Regenerate** on any of these. That creates a new value and breaks the old one.

## Step 4: Add the app to your channels

The app can only read and post in channels it has joined. Do this in the Slack app itself, not on the website from Step 1.

### Step 1: Open a channel

Open each channel we told you the automation needs.

### Step 2: Invite the app

In the message box, type `/invite @` and the app name. For example `/invite @Uplifted Automations`. Press **Enter**.

> **Tip:**
> The app name is in the manifest we sent you, next to `name`.

### Step 3: Repeat

Do the same for every channel on our list.

## Send it to us

- [Send it with OneTimeSecret](https://guide.upliftedconsulting.com/start-here/sending-securely.md): Put all 4 values into **one** OneTimeSecret note, each on its own line with its name. Create the link and send us **only the link**. Label it "Slack app".

Your note should look like this:

```text
Bot User OAuth Token: xoxb-...
Signing Secret: ...
Client ID: ...
Client Secret: ...
```

## What a manifest looks like

> **Note:**
> We will send you the exact manifest. This is just an example so you know what to expect. Do not copy this one.

```yaml
display_information:
  name: Uplifted Automations
  description: Automations built by Uplifted Consulting
features:
  bot_user:
    display_name: uplifted-automations
    always_online: true
oauth_config:
  redirect_urls:
    - https://YOUR-N8N-DOMAIN/rest/oauth2-credential/callback
  scopes:
    bot:
      - chat:write
      - channels:read
      - channels:history
      - groups:read
      - groups:history
      - im:read
      - im:write
      - im:history
      - users:read
      - users:read.email
      - reactions:read
      - reactions:write
      - files:read
      - files:write
settings:
  org_deploy_enabled: false
  socket_mode_enabled: false
  token_rotation_enabled: false
```

What the main parts mean:

- **name**: the name your team sees in Slack.
- **redirect_urls**: our web address. Slack sends you back here after you approve the app.
- **scopes**: what the app is allowed to do. For example, `chat:write` lets it post messages. `users:read.email` lets it see email addresses of people in your workspace.
- **token_rotation_enabled: false**: keeps the connection from expiring. Please leave this as it is.

## Something not right?

### I am not an admin

Many workspaces only let admins install apps. You can still do Step 1. In Step 2 you may see **Request to Install** instead of **Install to Workspace**. Click it. Your admin gets a request to approve. Once they approve, come back to **OAuth & Permissions** and continue from Step 3. If this is slow, ask your admin to do the whole page instead.

### Slack says the manifest has an error

Check you are on the right tab (**JSON** or **YAML**). Check you pasted the whole text, from the first line to the last. If it still fails, send us a screenshot of the error.

### I can't find the Bot User OAuth Token

The token only appears after you install the app. Finish Step 2 first, then go back to **OAuth & Permissions**.

### The app can't see or post in a channel

It has not been invited. Do Step 4 for that channel. Private channels need an invite too.

### We asked for new permissions later

We will send you an updated manifest. In your app, click **App Manifest** in the left menu, replace the text, and click **Save Changes**. Slack will ask you to reinstall the app. Click **Reinstall to Workspace**, then **Allow**. Your token stays the same unless we tell you otherwise.

### How do I remove the app later?

Go to [api.slack.com/apps](https://api.slack.com/apps), open the app, click **Basic Information**, scroll to the bottom and click **Delete App**. Our automations stop working in Slack right away.

<sub>Last checked: 22 Oct 2026 against [n8n's Slack credential docs](https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/builtin/credentials/slack/) and [Slack's app manifest docs](https://docs.slack.dev/app-manifests/configuring-apps-with-app-manifests).</sub>

---
Source: https://guide.upliftedconsulting.com/services/slack-app · Updated 2026-10-22