Slack MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides programmatic access to Slack conversations, threads, and workspace information. Designed for AI assistants like Claude to interact with your Slack workspace through a standardized interface.

What is MCP?

The Model Context Protocol is an open standard that enables AI assistants to securely access external data sources and tools. This server implements MCP to give Claude direct access to your Slack workspace.

Features

📨 Message Operations

• Read Channel Messages: Fetch recent messages from any channel with flexible time-based filtering
• Read Thread Messages: Access complete conversation threads including all replies
• Get Message Permalinks: Generate permanent, shareable links to specific messages

🔍 Discovery & Search

• List Your Channels: Enumerate all channels you're a member of (public, private, DMs, group DMs)
• Search Conversations: Find messages where you're mentioned or involved using Slack's search

📊 Metadata & Context

• Get Channel Info: View channel details, topics, purposes, member counts, and settings
• Get User Info: Look up user profiles, emails, titles, timezones, and status information

Quick Start

Option 1: Install from PyPI (Recommended)

The easiest way to use this MCP server is to install it directly from PyPI:

# Install via pip
pip install slack-mcp-server-v2

# Or install via uvx (recommended for MCP servers)
uvx slack-mcp-server-v2

Option 2: Install from Source

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/stevenvo/slack-mcp-server.git
cd slack-mcp-server

# Install dependencies
pip install -r requirements.txt

After installation, you'll need to set up authentication (see 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.

1. Go to https://api.slack.com/apps
2. Create a new app (or use existing)
3. Navigate to "OAuth & Permissions"
4. 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
5. Install the app to your workspace
6. 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.

1. Follow steps 1-2 above
2. Add Bot Token Scopes instead (same list but in bot section)
3. Install the app
4. Copy the "Bot User OAuth Token" (starts with xoxb-)
5. 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

Configuration for Claude Code

Add this server to Claude Code by editing your ~/.claude.json file:

Using PyPI Package (Recommended)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "slack": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["slack-mcp-server-v2"],
      "env": {
        "SLACK_USER_TOKEN": "xoxp-your-u

... [View full README on GitHub](https://github.com/stevenvo/slack-mcp-server#readme)