slack-mcp-server-v2

Slack MCP Server

MCP server for reading Slack conversations and threads you're involved in. Built specifically for use with Claude Code.

Features

• Read Channel Messages: Get recent messages from any channel with time-based filtering
• Read Thread Messages: Read entire conversation threads
• Get Channel Info: View channel details and metadata
• Get User Info: Look up user profiles and information
• List Your Channels: See all channels you're a member of
• Search Conversations: Find messages where you're mentioned or involved
• Get Message Links: Generate permanent links to specific messages

Installation

• Clone or download this directory
• Install dependencies:

cd slack-mcp-server
pip install -r requirements.txt

• Set up your Slack token (see Authentication section below)

Authentication

Option 1: User Token (Recommended)

A User Token uses your personal Slack permissions and can access all channels you're a member of.

• Go to https://api.slack.com/apps
• Create a new app (or use existing)
• Navigate to "OAuth & Permissions"
• Add the following User Token Scopes:
  • channels:history - View messages in public channels
  • channels:read - View basic channel info
  • groups:history - View messages in private channels
  • groups:read - View basic private channel info
  • im:history - View messages in direct messages
  • im:read - View basic DM info
  • mpim:history - View messages in group DMs
  • mpim:read - View basic group DM info
  • users:read - View user information
  • search:read - Search messages
• Install the app to your workspace
• Copy the "User OAuth Token" (starts with xoxp-)

Option 2: Bot Token

A Bot Token is more limited but easier to set up for team-wide access.

• Follow steps 1-2 above
• Add Bot Token Scopes instead (same list but in bot section)
• Install the app
• Copy the "Bot User OAuth Token" (starts with xoxb-)
• Invite the bot to channels you want to read: /invite @YourBotName

Configure Environment

Create a .env file:

cp .env.example .env

Edit .env and add your token:

# Use one of these:
SLACK_USER_TOKEN=xoxp-your-user-token-here
# OR
SLACK_BOT_TOKEN=xoxb-your-bot-token-here

Add to Claude Code

Add this to your ~/.claude.json file in the mcpServers section:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "slack": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["/path/to/slack-mcp-server/server.py"],
      "env": {
        "SLACK_USER_TOKEN": "xoxp-your-user-token-here",
        "SLACK_WORKSPACE_URL": "https://your-workspace.slack.com"
      }
    }
  }
}

Or if using uvx:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "slack": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["--from", "/path/to/slack-mcp-server", "slack-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "SLACK_USER_TOKEN": "xoxp-your-user-token-here",
        "SLACK_WORKSPACE_URL": "https://your-workspace.slack.com"
      }
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Code and verify with:

claude mcp list

Available Tools

1. read_channel_messages

Read recent messages from a channel.

Parameters:

• channel_id (required): Slack channel ID (e.g., C1234567890)
• lookback_hours (optional): Hours to look back (default: 24)
• limit (optional): Max messages to retrieve (default: 100, max: 1000)

Example:

Read the last 48 hours of messages from channel C1234567890

2. read_thread_messages

Read all messages in a thread.

Parameters:

• channel_id (required): Channel ID where thread exists
• thread_ts (required): Thread timestamp (from parent message)

Example:

Read the full thread with timestamp 1699564800.123456 in channel C1234567890

3. get_channel_info

Get channel metadata.

Parameters:

• channel_id (required): Channel ID

Example:

Get info about channel C1234567890

4. get_user_info

Get user profile information.

Parameters:

• user_id (required): User ID (e.g., U1234567)

Example:

Get info about user U1234567

5. list_my_channels

List all channels you're a member of.

Parameters:

• types (optional): Comma-separated types (default: public_channel,private_channel)
  • Options: public_channel, private_channel, mpim, im

Example:

List all my channels

6. search_my_conversations

Search for messages where you're mentioned or involved.

Parameters:

• query (required): Search terms
• count (optional): Number of results (default: 20, max: 100)

Example:

Search my conversations for "deployment" in the last week

7. get_message_permalink

Get a permanent link to a specific message.

Parameters:

• channel_id (required): Channel ID
• message_ts (required): Message timestamp

Example:

Get permalink for message 1699564800.123456 in channel C1234567890

Usage with Claude Code

Once configured, you can ask Claude to:

• "Show me messages from the #general channel in the last 24 hours"
• "Read the thread starting at timestamp 1699564800.123456 in channel C1234567890"
• "Search my Slack conversations for mentions of 'deployment'"
• "List all channels I'm in"
• "Get info about user U1234567"

Finding Channel IDs

Method 1: From Slack URL

When you're in a channel, the URL looks like:

https://your-workspace.slack.com/archives/C1234567890/p1234567890

The part after /archives/ is the channel ID: C1234567890

Method 2: Using the MCP Server

Ask Claude:

List all my channels

Method 3: Right-click in Slack

• Right-click on the channel name
• Click "Copy link"
• Extract the channel ID from the URL

Troubleshooting

"Missing required scopes"

Make sure you've added all the required scopes in your Slack app configuration.

"Channel not found"

• Verify the channel ID is correct
• If using a bot token, make sure the bot is invited to the channel (/invite @BotName)
• If using a user token, make sure you're a member of the channel

"Not authenticated"

• Check that your SLACK_USER_TOKEN or SLACK_BOT_TOKEN is set correctly
• Verify the token hasn't expired
• Make sure there are no extra spaces in the .env file

MCP Server Not Showing Up

# Check MCP server status
claude mcp list

# Check logs
tail -f ~/.claude/debug/*.log

Security Notes

• Never commit your .env file or expose your Slack tokens
• User tokens have access to everything you can see in Slack - use with care
• Consider using bot tokens for shared/team setups
• Tokens can be revoked at https://api.slack.com/apps

License

MIT