For detailed installation instructions, screenshots, and video walkthroughs, see the Slack Installation Guide.
Before You Get Started
Before connecting Slack, confirm which Slack plan your organization uses. If you are unsure, click your organization name in the top-left corner of Slack. Your current plan appears below the organization name. Supported Slack plans:- Slack Free, Pro, or Business+ — Install Rootly at the workspace level
- Slack Enterprise Grid — Install Rootly at the organization level across multiple workspaces using Multi-Workspace Channels
Data Permissions
Data Permissions
Rootly requests different Slack scopes depending on your Slack plan and enabled features, such as AI. The list below reflects the full set of permissions you may be asked to approve.
bookmarks:write: Add bookmarks to incident channels for quick access to important resources.
channels:manage: Create public Slack channels for incidents.
channels:read: View basic information about public channels in a workspace.
chat:write + chat:write.public: Post messages in incident channels and respond to Slack actions.
commands: Enable
files:read: Save files associated with pinned or reacted messages to the incident timeline.
files:write: Upload files, such as workflow output, directly into Slack. Rootly does not delete files in your Slack workspace.
groups:read: View basic information about private channels that Rootly has been added to.
groups:write: Create private Slack channels for sensitive incidents.
pins:read: Add pinned Slack messages to the incident timeline.
pins:write: Pin important messages in incident channels.
reactions:read: Add Slack messages to the incident timeline through reactions you configure.
reactions:write: React to messages after they are added to the incident timeline.
usergroups:read: View Slack user groups, such as
usergroups:write: Manage on-call user groups for scheduling and rotation.
users:read + users:read.email: View workspace members and email addresses for one-click invitations. Rootly does not invite users automatically.
users.profile:read: Display full names instead of Slack usernames.AI and assistant features
app_mentions:read: View messages that mention
channels:history: Read message history in public channels for AI-powered features.
groups:history: Read message history in private channels for AI-powered features.
assistant:write: Enable Rootly AI Assistant capabilities.
im:history: Read direct message history for AI Assistant interactions.
admin.conversations:write: Manage conversations at the organization admin level for Enterprise Grid.
groups:write: Create and manage private channels on behalf of an admin or owner.
Bot Scopes
Core permissionsbookmarks:write: Add bookmarks to incident channels for quick access to important resources.
channels:manage: Create public Slack channels for incidents.
channels:read: View basic information about public channels in a workspace.
chat:write + chat:write.public: Post messages in incident channels and respond to Slack actions.
commands: Enable
/rootly and /incident slash commands.files:read: Save files associated with pinned or reacted messages to the incident timeline.
files:write: Upload files, such as workflow output, directly into Slack. Rootly does not delete files in your Slack workspace.
groups:read: View basic information about private channels that Rootly has been added to.
groups:write: Create private Slack channels for sensitive incidents.
pins:read: Add pinned Slack messages to the incident timeline.
pins:write: Pin important messages in incident channels.
reactions:read: Add Slack messages to the incident timeline through reactions you configure.
reactions:write: React to messages after they are added to the incident timeline.
usergroups:read: View Slack user groups, such as
@security.usergroups:write: Manage on-call user groups for scheduling and rotation.
users:read + users:read.email: View workspace members and email addresses for one-click invitations. Rootly does not invite users automatically.
users.profile:read: Display full names instead of Slack usernames.AI and assistant features
app_mentions:read: View messages that mention
@rootly.channels:history: Read message history in public channels for AI-powered features.
groups:history: Read message history in private channels for AI-powered features.
assistant:write: Enable Rootly AI Assistant capabilities.
im:history: Read direct message history for AI Assistant interactions.
User Scopes
usergroups:write: Required for on-call user group management using user permissions.Additional Scopes for Slack Enterprise Grid
conversations.connect:write: Connect channels across multiple workspaces in Enterprise Grid organizations.admin.conversations:write: Manage conversations at the organization admin level for Enterprise Grid.
Additional User Scopes When Bot Channel Creation Is Restricted
Some Slack workspaces allow only admins or owners to create channels. In those environments, Rootly may request additional user scopes from an admin or owner so it can create channels on their behalf.channels:write: Create and manage public channels on behalf of an admin or owner.groups:write: Create and manage private channels on behalf of an admin or owner.
Quick Installation Steps
Requirements:
- Rootly account: Admin or Owner
- Slack account: Workspace Admin or Owner, or Organization Admin or Owner for Enterprise Grid
For Slack Free, Pro, or Business+
- Go to Configuration → Integrations
- Select Setup under the Slack integration
- Choose Other Slack Plans
- Select your Slack workspace and review permissions
- Click Allow to authorize Rootly
For Slack Enterprise Grid
- Go to Configuration → Integrations
- Select Setup under the Slack integration
- Choose Slack Enterprise Grid
- Authorize Rootly at the organization level
- Add Rootly to the appropriate workspaces through Organization settings → Integrations → Installed apps
For step-by-step instructions with screenshots and videos, see the Slack Installation Guide.
Workspace Setup
After connecting Slack, go to Configuration → Slack to configure defaults and workspace behavior. You can configure:- Default announcement channel for new incidents
- Default alerts channel for notifications
- Team notifications for high-severity incidents or specific groups
- Smart Reminders to prompt responders to add roles, update the status page, and keep tasks moving
- Incident updates to keep stakeholders informed throughout the lifecycle
- Incident Slack channel settings such as naming conventions, bookmarks, and incident TPOC updates
- Interactions using emoji to pin messages, create follow-up work, or add tasks
- Channel archiving for incident channels after resolution
- Member settings to require Slack connection or track incident access
Channel Creation Restrictions
In some Slack workspaces, only admins or owners are allowed to create channels. When that restriction is enabled, Rootly may ask an admin or owner to grant additional permissions so it can create channels on their behalf. In Rootly, this is managed through Configuration → Slack, where you may see options such as Bypass Slack permissions or Elevate privileges.Rootly AI Permissions
If you want to use Rootly AI features in Slack, your integration may need additional Slack scopes. In some cases, you may be asked to update or reinstall the Slack integration to grant the required permissions. See the Slack Installation Guide or use the in-app Upgrade permissions option if it appears.Frequently Asked Questions
Which Slack plans are supported?
Which Slack plans are supported?
Rootly supports Slack Free, Pro, Business+, and Slack Enterprise Grid. Standard workspaces install at the workspace level, while Enterprise Grid installs at the organization level.
Why does Rootly request so many Slack permissions?
Why does Rootly request so many Slack permissions?
Rootly uses Slack permissions to create and manage incident channels, send messages, power workflows, manage on-call user groups, and support AI features. The exact permissions requested depend on your Slack plan and enabled features.
What if Rootly cannot create Slack channels?
What if Rootly cannot create Slack channels?
Some Slack workspaces restrict channel creation to admins or owners. In those cases, Rootly may request additional user scopes from an admin or owner so it can create channels on their behalf.
Where do I configure Slack behavior after installation?
Where do I configure Slack behavior after installation?
After installation, go to Configuration → Slack to manage default channels, notifications, reminders, incident channel settings, archiving, and member behavior.
Do I need to reinstall Slack to use AI features?
Do I need to reinstall Slack to use AI features?
Sometimes. If your current Slack integration is missing the scopes required for AI features, Rootly may prompt you to upgrade permissions or reinstall the integration.