Navin
All documentation

Build a Slack AI Agent with Navin

This guide connects Navin to Slack through Socket Mode. No public webhook URL is required for the first working setup.

What this guide builds

  • a Slack app with Socket Mode
  • a bot token and app-level token
  • the Slack channel enabled in Navin Settings
  • a DM pairing flow and mention test from an approved Slack user

Prerequisites

  • Navin desktop app able to reply in local chat
  • Permission to create a Slack app in a workspace

Enable Slack in Settings

  1. In Slack, create an app, enable Socket Mode, create an app-level token with connections:write, add bot scopes, subscribe to bot events, and install the app to your workspace.
  2. In Navin, open Settings → Channels → Slack.
  3. Paste the bot token (xoxb-…) and app-level token (xapp-…).
  4. Keep group policy on mention for first deployment.
  5. Prefer allowlist / pairing for DMs so new DM senders receive a pairing code.
  6. Save, restart when prompted, and keep Navin open.

Test a message

  1. DM the Slack bot directly. It should return a pairing code.
  2. Approve it in Navin, or with /pairing approve ABCD-EFGH from a trusted chat.
  3. DM the bot again, or mention it in a channel:
@navin Hello from Slack

Security notes

  • Keep group policy as mention-only unless the bot is intentionally listening to every channel message.
  • Keep DM allowlist / pairing on when you want approval before access.
  • Reinstall the Slack app after changing scopes.
  • Keep bot and app tokens out of shared documents; paste them only into Settings.

Troubleshooting

  • Socket Mode fails: confirm the app-level token starts with xapp- and Navin is open.
  • Bot cannot send files: add files:write, reinstall the Slack app, restart Navin.
  • DM responds without pairing: check that DM policy is allowlist / pairing in Settings.
  • Channel messages ignored: check event subscriptions and group policy.

Next