Updated October 2026
A self-hosted AI assistant for Slack
Slack itself is a hosted service, but the AI agent you connect to it does not have to be. With CoWork OS the agent runs on your computer or your own server, uses the model you choose, and connects to Slack through Socket Mode, so you don't need a public URL or open firewall port.
What you need
- CoWork OS on a machine that stays on, or the headless daemon on a Linux server.
- Permission to create apps in your Slack workspace.
1. Create the Slack app
- At api.slack.com/apps, create a new app from scratch for your workspace.
- Under Socket Mode, enable it and create an App-Level Token (it starts with
xapp-). - Under OAuth & Permissions, add these bot token scopes:
app_mentions:read, chat:write, im:history, im:read, im:write, users:read, files:write
- Under Event Subscriptions, subscribe to the bot events
app_mentionandmessage.im. - Install the app to your workspace and copy the Bot Token (it starts with
xoxb-).
2. Connect it in CoWork OS
Open Settings → Channels → Slack, choose Add Slack Workspace, and paste the Bot Token and App-Level Token. The Signing Secret is optional.
3. Use it
Mention the bot in a channel or send it a direct message: "Draft release notes from the commits in this repo" or "Pull this week's numbers into a spreadsheet." Tasks follow the access profile you set in CoWork OS, so changes that need approval still wait for you.
Hosted Slack AI vs self-hosted
| Hosted Slack AI apps | CoWork OS | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the agent runs | The vendor's cloud | Your computer or server |
| Models | The vendor's choice | Any supported provider or a local model |
| Access to your files and tools | Limited to the vendor's integrations | Your workspace, MCP servers and skills |
| Cost | Per-seat subscription, typically | Free app; you pay your model provider |
See the channels documentation for every Slack option.
Frequently asked questions
Can I self-host an AI assistant for Slack?
Yes. Slack stays hosted, but the agent can run on your own machine or server. CoWork OS connects through Slack Socket Mode, so no public URL is needed.
What Slack tokens does CoWork OS need?
A Bot Token starting with xoxb- and an App-Level Token starting with xapp- for Socket Mode. The Signing Secret is optional.
Which Slack scopes are required?
app_mentions:read, chat:write, im:history, im:read, im:write, users:read and files:write, plus the app_mention and message.im events.
Can the Slack assistant use a local model?
Yes. It uses whichever model CoWork OS is configured with, including Ollama or MLX on your own hardware.
CoWork OS itself is free and open source. Model providers, gateways, connected services, and account plans may charge separately and apply their own eligibility and usage rules.
Last reviewed 2026-10-20 against official documentation. Features, plans and prices change; check the linked sources before deciding. CoWork OS is not affiliated with Slack.