Slack MCP connector

What agents can do

The server has 21 actions (12 read, 9 write).

• Workspace and people: auth_test, get_team_info, list_users, get_user_info and get_user_profile.
• Channels and conversations: list_conversations, get_conversation_info and list_conversation_members.
• Messages: list_conversation_history reads message history filtered by date, list_conversation_replies reads thread replies, and get_message_permalink returns a link to a message.
• Posting: post_message posts as the InsightfulPipe app, post_message_as_user posts as you, and update_message and update_message_as_user edit those messages. Messages can go to channels, direct messages and threads.
• Channel management: create_conversation, join_conversation, invite_to_conversation and archive_conversation.
• Reminders: list_reminders and add_reminder.

Before you connect

• A Slack account that can install apps in the workspace. Your workspace may require an admin to approve the app.
• An InsightfulPipe workspace with a brand for the Slack workspace. Owners, admins and operators can add connections.

Connect Slack

1. In the InsightfulPipe app, open Connectors, choose Slack and click Connect.
2. Under Permissions, choose Read Only or Read + Write.
3. Click Connect to Slack.
4. In Slack, review the permissions the InsightfulPipe app requests and allow it for your workspace.

Add the MCP server to your AI client

Server URL: https://slack.insightfulmcp.com/ and server name: slack-mcp.

• Claude: open Claude Connectors Settings, scroll to the bottom and click Add custom connector, paste the URL, click Add, then click Connect.
• ChatGPT: in ChatGPT Security Settings turn on Developer mode, click Create on the Connectors page, paste the URL, click Create, then click Connect. Turn the connector on in each new chat with + → More.
• Claude Code: run claude mcp add --transport http slack-mcp https://slack.insightfulmcp.com/, then type /mcp, select slack-mcp and click Authenticate.
• Cursor: in the app, open MCP Servers, choose Slack and click Install Slack MCP, click Open Cursor then Install, then click Connect and Open.
• Gemini CLI: run gemini mcp add --transport http slack-mcp https://slack.insightfulmcp.com/, then /mcp auth slack-mcp.
• Codex CLI: run codex mcp add slack-mcp --url https://slack.insightfulmcp.com/; authorization starts automatically.

Each client opens a browser window where you log in to InsightfulPipe and click Authorize access. Step-by-step guides: Claude, ChatGPT, Claude Code, Cursor, Gemini CLI and Codex CLI. To reach every connected platform through one server, use the unified server.

Permissions and safety

• Read Only connections run reads only. Posting, editing and channel changes need Read + Write.
• archive_conversation is destructive, so it stays off until an owner, admin or operator enables it in Configure actions for this account.
• post_message, post_message_as_user, update_message and update_message_as_user are regular write actions that are on for Read + Write connections. Messages posted as you appear under your name, so turn the as-user actions off where agents should only post as the app.
• The app can post to public channels without joining them. Private channels, direct messages and group messages are available only where the app has access.
• Writes need the Owner, Administrator or Operator role. Members with the User role can only run enabled read actions on accounts granted to them.

Limits

• There is no search action. Agents read history and threads by channel and date instead.
• Files can't be downloaded or uploaded, and messages can't be scheduled.
• add_reminder and list_reminders call Slack's reminders API, which Slack has restricted, so reminders may not work reliably.
• The requested Slack permissions are fixed by InsightfulPipe and can't be chosen per install.
• Slack rate limits apply. The server retries when Slack asks it to slow down.

Example prompts

• "Using Slack, summarize last week's messages in #product-launch."
• "What did people reply to the pricing question in #sales yesterday?"
• "Post this week's ad spend summary to #marketing."
• "Create a private channel called q4-campaign and invite Sara and Omar."

Troubleshooting

• The agent can't read a private channel: make sure the InsightfulPipe app has access to that channel in Slack, then ask again.
• "This action is disabled for this connected account. An owner or admin must enable it for the account." An owner, admin or operator can enable it in Configure actions for this account.
• "This account is connected read-only, so this action cannot be enabled for it. An owner or admin must reconnect it with Read & Write permissions." Reconnect and choose Read + Write under Permissions.
• "Your role does not have permission to execute write actions. Only operators, admins, and owners can execute write operations." Members with the User role can't post. Ask a workspace admin to change your role.

FAQ

Can the Slack connector search messages?

No. It reads channel history and thread replies by date, and your agent finds what you need in those messages.

Is this Slack's official MCP server?

No. Slack runs its own MCP server with search and file tools for Marketplace and internal apps. InsightfulPipe is an independent hosted server with Read Only connections, per-action controls and your other platforms in the same workspace.

Can I connect several Slack workspaces?

Yes. Each connection is one Slack workspace, and each connected workspace counts as one connection on your plan.

Related

• Slack MCP server
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• Workspace roles and permissions
• MCP troubleshooting