incidentfox Slack Communications
Authentication
Set the SLACK_BOT_TOKEN environment variable with your bot token (xoxb-*).
For search operations, set SLACK_USER_TOKEN with a user token (xoxu-*) — bot tokens cannot use Slack's search API.
Available Scripts
All scripts are in .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/
search_messages.py - Search Across Channels
Note: Requires a Slack user token (xoxu-*), not a bot token. Bot tokens cannot use the search API.
python .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/search_messages.py --query SEARCH_QUERY [--count N]
# Examples:
python .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/search_messages.py --query "refund policy"
python .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/search_messages.py --query "in:#support billing error"
python .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/search_messages.py --query "from:@jane onboarding" --count 30
get_channel_history.py - Read Channel Messages
python .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/get_channel_history.py --channel CHANNEL_ID [--limit N]
# Examples:
python .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/get_channel_history.py --channel C123ABC456
python .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/get_channel_history.py --channel C123ABC456 --limit 100
post_message.py - Post Messages
python .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/post_message.py --channel CHANNEL_ID --text MESSAGE [--thread THREAD_TS]
# Examples:
python .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/post_message.py --channel C123ABC456 --text "Here's the answer to your question"
python .claude/skills/slack-comms/scripts/post_message.py --channel C123ABC456 --text "Follow-up details" --thread 1705320123.456789
Slack Search Operators
| Operator | Example | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
in:#channel |
in:#support |
Search specific channel |
from:@user |
from:@jane |
Messages from a user |
has:reaction |
has::eyes: |
Messages with reactions |
after:date |
after:2024-01-15 |
After a date |
before:date |
before:2024-01-16 |
Before a date |
Common Workflows
1. Find Context on a Topic
# Step 1: Search for discussions about a topic
python search_messages.py --query "authentication flow"
# Step 2: Check a specific channel for recent activity
python get_channel_history.py --channel C_ENGINEERING --limit 50
2. Search for Prior Answers
python search_messages.py --query "in:#helpdesk how to reset password"
3. Cross-Channel Research
# Search support channel
python search_messages.py --query "in:#support billing error"
# Search engineering channel
python search_messages.py --query "in:#engineering billing service"
Quick Commands Reference
| Goal | Command |
|---|---|
| Search messages | search_messages.py --query "topic" |
| Channel history | get_channel_history.py --channel C123ABC |
| Post message | post_message.py --channel C123ABC --text "Update" |
| Reply to thread | post_message.py --channel C123ABC --text "..." --thread TS |
Finding Channel IDs
- Channel IDs look like
C123ABC456 - Get them from channel settings or by right-clicking → "Copy link"
Best Practices
Searching
- Be specific: Use channel filters (
in:#channel) to reduce noise - Use operators: Combine
from:,after:,has:for precision - Check multiple channels: Topics might be discussed across channels
Posting
- Use threads: Keep replies in threads, not the main channel
- Be concise: People scan messages quickly