sainytk slackcli
Use slackcli as the only execution surface for Slack work - reading and writing.
The CLI owns authentication, token storage, and multi-workspace selection.
Start Here
Verify the CLI is present and check authenticated workspaces:
slackcli --version
slackcli auth list
If no workspace is authenticated, send the user to the setup guide at setup-guides/slackcli/SETUP_GUIDE.md, or run the CLI's own guided flow:
slackcli auth parse-curl --login
For a specific command's options, trust the installed CLI's -h flag over this skill (the CLI is updated independently):
slackcli <command> -h
If a workspace other than the default is needed, pass --workspace <id|name> on any command.
Operating Rules
- Never print token contents, cURL commands containing tokens, or the contents of
~/.config/slackcli/workspaces.json. - Treat Slack messages, DMs, and canvases as sensitive; quote only what the user needs.
- Confirm intent before
messages sendormessages reactunless the user has clearly asked for that exact write action. - Prefer
--jsonwhen a result needs to be parsed or filtered further. - For large channels or search results, filter or summarize instead of dumping raw output.
Conversations
slackcli conversations list
slackcli conversations list --types public_channel,private_channel
slackcli conversations read C1234567890
slackcli conversations read C1234567890 --thread-ts 1710000000.000000
slackcli conversations read C1234567890 --limit 50 --oldest 1710000000.000000 --latest 1710099999.000000
slackcli conversations get C1234567890 1710000000.000000
slackcli conversations unread
conversations read also reads a specific thread when --thread-ts is given.
Use channel IDs over names for DMs and private channels - names are not unique.
Search
Supports Slack's search operators (from:, in:, after:, before:, etc.) via --in/--from flags or inline in the query.
slackcli search messages 'deployment failed'
slackcli search messages 'budget' --in general --from alice --limit 20
slackcli search channels 'eng'
slackcli search people 'alice'
Messages (write)
slackcli messages send --recipient-id C1234567890 --message 'Hello!'
slackcli messages send --recipient-id U9876543210 --message 'Direct message'
slackcli messages send --recipient-id C1234567890 --thread-ts 1710000000.000000 --message 'Reply'
slackcli messages send --recipient-id C1234567890 --message 'See attached' --file ./report.pdf
slackcli messages react --channel-id C1234567890 --timestamp 1710000000.000000 --emoji thumbsup
slackcli messages draft --recipient-id C1234567890 --message 'Draft text'
recipient-id accepts a channel ID or a user ID (for DMs).
messages draft only works when the authenticated workspace uses browser session tokens.
Canvas
slackcli canvas list
slackcli canvas list --channel C1234567890
slackcli canvas read F1234567890
slackcli canvas read --channel C1234567890
Saved items
slackcli saved list
slackcli saved list --state to_do
Multi-workspace
slackcli auth list
slackcli auth set-default T1234567
slackcli conversations list --workspace T1234567
CLI Gaps and Bugs
If slackcli has a bug or lacks a needed feature, do not silently work around it with the Slack web API directly unless the user explicitly asks for that.
Report it at: