docs: improve Slack setup guide with channel event subscriptions and scopes

The #1 support issue with Slack is 'bot works in DMs but not channels'.
This is almost always caused by missing event subscriptions (message.channels,
message.groups) or missing OAuth scopes (channels:history, groups:history).

Changes:
- slack.md: Move channels:history and groups:history from optional to required
  scopes. Move message.channels and message.groups to required events. Add new
  'How the Bot Responds' section explaining DM vs channel behavior. Add Step 8
  for inviting bot to channels. Expand troubleshooting table with specific
  'works in DMs not channels' entry. Add quick checklist for channel debugging.
- setup.py: Expand Slack setup wizard with all required scopes, event
  subscriptions, and a warning that without message.channels/message.groups
  the bot only works in DMs. Add link to full docs. Improve Member ID
  discovery instructions.
- config.py: Update SLACK_BOT_TOKEN and SLACK_APP_TOKEN descriptions to list
  required scopes and event subscriptions inline.
This commit is contained in:
teknium1 2026-03-09 14:00:11 -07:00
parent a5a5d82a21
commit ac58309dbd
3 changed files with 95 additions and 24 deletions

View file

@ -46,20 +46,26 @@ Navigate to **Features → OAuth & Permissions** in the sidebar. Scroll to **Sco
| Scope | Purpose |
|-------|---------|
| `chat:write` | Send messages as the bot |
| `app_mentions:read` | Respond when @mentioned in channels |
| `app_mentions:read` | Detect when @mentioned in channels |
| `channels:history` | Read messages in public channels the bot is in |
| `channels:read` | List and get info about public channels |
| `groups:history` | Read messages in private channels the bot is invited to |
| `im:history` | Read direct message history |
| `im:read` | View basic DM info |
| `im:write` | Open and manage DMs |
| `users:read` | Look up user information |
| `files:write` | Upload files (images, audio, documents) |
:::caution Missing scopes = missing features
Without `channels:history` and `groups:history`, the bot **will not receive messages in channels**
it will only work in DMs. These are the most commonly missed scopes.
:::
**Optional scopes:**
| Scope | Purpose |
|-------|---------|
| `groups:history` | Read messages in private channels the bot is invited to |
| `files:write` | Upload files (audio, images) |
| `groups:read` | List and get info about private channels |
---
@ -83,23 +89,27 @@ You can always find or regenerate app-level tokens under **Settings → Basic In
## Step 4: Subscribe to Events
This step is critical — it controls what messages the bot can see.
1. In the sidebar, go to **Features → Event Subscriptions**
2. Toggle **Enable Events** to ON
3. Expand **Subscribe to bot events** and add:
| Event | Purpose |
|-------|---------|
| `app_mention` | Bot responds when @mentioned in any channel |
| `message.im` | Bot responds to direct messages |
**Optional event:**
| Event | Purpose |
|-------|---------|
| `message.channels` | Bot sees all messages in public channels it's added to |
| Event | Required? | Purpose |
|-------|-----------|---------|
| `message.im` | **Yes** | Bot receives direct messages |
| `message.channels` | **Yes** | Bot receives messages in **public** channels it's added to |
| `message.groups` | **Recommended** | Bot receives messages in **private** channels it's invited to |
| `app_mention` | **Yes** | Prevents Bolt SDK errors when bot is @mentioned |
4. Click **Save Changes** at the bottom of the page
:::danger Missing event subscriptions is the #1 setup issue
If the bot works in DMs but **not in channels**, you almost certainly forgot to add
`message.channels` (for public channels) and/or `message.groups` (for private channels).
Without these events, Slack simply never delivers channel messages to the bot.
:::
---
## Step 5: Install App to Workspace
@ -111,8 +121,8 @@ You can always find or regenerate app-level tokens under **Settings → Basic In
5. **Copy this token** — this is your `SLACK_BOT_TOKEN`
:::tip
If you change scopes later, you'll need to **reinstall the app** for the new scopes to take effect.
The Install App page will show a banner prompting you to do so.
If you change scopes or event subscriptions later, you **must reinstall the app** for the changes
to take effect. The Install App page will show a banner prompting you to do so.
:::
---
@ -139,7 +149,7 @@ Add the following to your `~/.hermes/.env` file:
```bash
# Required
SLACK_BOT_TOKEN=xoxb-your-bot-token-here
SLACK_APP_TOKEN=xapp-your-app-level-token-here
SLACK_APP_TOKEN=xapp-your-app-token-here
SLACK_ALLOWED_USERS=U01ABC2DEF3 # Comma-separated Member IDs
# Optional
@ -161,6 +171,35 @@ hermes gateway install # Install as a system service
---
## Step 8: Invite the Bot to Channels
After starting the gateway, you need to **invite the bot** to any channel where you want it to respond:
```
/invite @Hermes Agent
```
The bot will **not** automatically join channels. You must invite it to each channel individually.
---
## How the Bot Responds
Understanding how Hermes behaves in different contexts:
| Context | Behavior |
|---------|----------|
| **DMs** | Bot responds to every message — no @mention needed |
| **Channels** | Bot **only responds when @mentioned** (e.g., `@Hermes Agent what time is it?`) |
| **Threads** | Bot replies in threads when the triggering message is in a thread |
:::tip
In channels, always @mention the bot. Simply typing a message without mentioning it will be ignored.
This is intentional — it prevents the bot from responding to every message in busy channels.
:::
---
## Home Channel
Set `SLACK_HOME_CHANNEL` to a channel ID where Hermes will deliver scheduled messages,
@ -192,11 +231,27 @@ Hermes supports voice on Slack:
| Problem | Solution |
|---------|----------|
| Bot doesn't respond to DMs | Verify `message.im` is in your event subscriptions and the app is reinstalled |
| Bot doesn't respond to @mentions | Verify `app_mention` is in your event subscriptions |
| Bot works in DMs but not in channels | **Most common issue.** Add `message.channels` and `message.groups` to event subscriptions, reinstall the app, and invite the bot to the channel with `/invite @Hermes Agent` |
| Bot doesn't respond to @mentions in channels | 1) Check `message.channels` event is subscribed. 2) Bot must be invited to the channel. 3) Ensure `channels:history` scope is added. 4) Reinstall the app after scope/event changes |
| Bot ignores messages in private channels | Add both the `message.groups` event subscription and `groups:history` scope, then reinstall the app and `/invite` the bot |
| "not_authed" or "invalid_auth" errors | Regenerate your Bot Token and App Token, update `.env` |
| Bot responds but can't post in a channel | Invite the bot to the channel with `/invite @Hermes Agent` |
| "missing_scope" error | Add the required scope in OAuth & Permissions, then **reinstall** the app |
| Socket disconnects frequently | Check your network; Bolt auto-reconnects but unstable connections cause lag |
| Changed scopes/events but nothing changed | You **must reinstall** the app to your workspace after any scope or event subscription change |
### Quick Checklist
If the bot isn't working in channels, verify **all** of the following:
1. ✅ `message.channels` event is subscribed (for public channels)
2. ✅ `message.groups` event is subscribed (for private channels)
3. ✅ `app_mention` event is subscribed
4. ✅ `channels:history` scope is added (for public channels)
5. ✅ `groups:history` scope is added (for private channels)
6. ✅ App was **reinstalled** after adding scopes/events
7. ✅ Bot was **invited** to the channel (`/invite @Hermes Agent`)
8. ✅ You are **@mentioning** the bot in your message
---