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Add the Windmill Slack app to a channel when you want Windmill to use that channel’s messages and canvases as context. Windmill can use this context in recaps, feedback workflows, 1:1s, and reports.
Adding the app to a channel does not let you chat with Windy in that channel. Windy does not answer messages or @Windy mentions in public, private, or Slack Connect channels. To chat with Windy, open a direct message with Windy or use the Windmill Dashboard.

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How channel access works

Slack lists the app as Windmill. After you add the app to a channel, its bot appears as Windy in the channel member list. For each channel that you add, Windmill can:
  • Sync messages and threads
  • Sync Slack canvases
  • Use permitted channel content as context for Windmill features
Channel access does not change where you talk to Windy. Use a Windy direct message or a Windmill Dashboard chat for conversations.

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Add the app to public channels automatically

We recommend automatic access to public channels. This option gives Windmill more context without channel-by-channel setup. Admins, HR Admins, and Integration Managers can change this setting.
1

Open Settings

Go to Settings in the Windmill Dashboard.
2

Open the Slack integration

Select Integrations, and then select Slack.
3

Open the Slack settings

Select Settings for the Slack integration.
4

Enable public-channel autojoin

Select Autojoin public channels, and then save the settings.
When you enable this setting, the app joins existing and new public channels that Windmill finds. The app does not rejoin a channel after someone removes it from that channel. Slack Connect channels require the separate Include Slack Connect channels setting.

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Add the app to one channel

Use either method below to add a public or private channel.

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Use /invite in Slack

1

Open the Slack channel

Open the channel that you want Windmill to use as context.
2

Open the app invitation menu

Type /invite, and then select Add apps to this channel.
3

Add Windy

Search for Windy, and then add the app.

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Use the channel settings

1

Open the Slack channel settings

Open the channel, and then select the channel name at the top.
2

Open the Integrations tab

Select Integrations, and then select Add apps.
3

Add the Windmill app

Search for Windmill, and then add the app.
After the app joins, Slack adds a message to the channel history. The message says that Windy joined the channel. This message does not cause a notification, mention, or alert. Slack channel history message that shows Windy joined the channel

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Private channel access

A member of a private channel must add the app to that channel. Adding the app does not give other people access to the private channel. Windmill keeps Slack’s access controls. Only people who can read the private channel in Slack can see its raw messages in Windmill. Managers, admins, and other employees who are not channel members cannot read the content.

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Remove channel access

You can remove the app in Slack or in the Windmill Dashboard.

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Remove the app in Slack

1

Open the channel

Open the channel from which you want to remove the app.
2

Remove Windy

Type /remove @Windy.
3

Confirm the removal

Confirm that Windy must leave the channel.

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Remove the app in the Windmill Dashboard

Admins, HR Admins, and Integration Managers can remove the app from a channel in the Windmill Dashboard.
1

Open the Slack settings

Go to Settings > Integrations > Slack, and then select Settings.
2

Find the channel

Find the channel that you want to remove.
3

Leave the channel

Select the three-dot menu, and then select Leave channel.

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FAQs

No. In Slack, Windy only responds in your direct-message conversation with the Windy app. Windy does not respond to messages or @Windy mentions in public, private, or Slack Connect channels. Adding the Windmill Slack app to a channel gives Windmill access to permitted channel content as context. It does not create a Windy conversation in that channel.
No. Slack adds a join message to the channel history, but the message does not cause a notification, mention, or alert.
No. Windmill keeps Slack’s access controls. If a person cannot read the private channel in Slack, that person cannot read its raw messages in Windmill.
Enable Autojoin public channels in Settings > Integrations > Slack. The app joins public channels except channels that it left before. Slack Connect channels require the separate Include Slack Connect channels setting.Add the app to each private channel separately.

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Next steps

To start a conversation, see Talking to Windy. For the full Slack data and permission reference, see Slack.