Now that our private beta has ended, we’re excited to announce that several new tools for app developers are available as part of our Slack platform open beta — no application or forms required for teams on paid workspaces. As part of the beta, this functionality will evolve as we get feedback.

Note: We recommend developing and testing these features in a separate workspace before using any functionality in production. If you'd like to test these features in a free workspace, please contact us.

Benefits of these new tools

• Developers can ship higher-quality apps and workflows quickly with a streamlined development lifecycle, including secure hosting and data storage in Slack.
• Workspace members will have better visibility and access to integrations and workflows in any channel, and easier ways to install pre-built workflows when creating channels.

Note: Rate limits and usage patterns will be monitored to detect behaviour that violates our Terms of Service or Acceptable Use Policy. We reserve the right to revoke access to the beta at our discretion.

 

What's available (open beta)

• Slack CLI
  Use the Slack CLI (command line interface) to build the framework for a new app with a Typescript SDK, then easily deploy your app to Slack's infrastructure.
• App manifests 
  An easier way to create, develop and distribute apps. Use an app manifest to quickly set up and manage your app.
• Functions and workflows 
  Functions are preset blocks of functionality that take certain actions and can be grouped together to create a workflow. Functions won’t be available for anyone to add to new workflows in Workflow Builder during the beta, but any app collaborators will be able to access them.
• Triggers
  Create a trigger to define how a workflow is initiated, where it’s available, and who can use it. Workspace members can initiate workflows with new triggers created as part of a beta Slack app.
• App deployment and data storage 
  Deploy your app and store its data on Slack’s infrastructure to keep all of the components in one place and automatically comply with our security and compliance standards.
  

FAQs

Are these tools free?

Use of all new platform tools is free during the beta period. Once the beta ends, additional payment will be required for more advanced capabilities. Here’s what we can share about what to expect:

• Only pay for usage: Pricing will be based on the volume of workflow executions, so cost scales with the value you receive.
• Pay for advanced functionality: Not all workflows are the same. Only those that take advantage of new functionality — like reusable functions custom-built by your team — will be chargeable.
• Try before you buy: An allotment of usage will be included in existing Slack plans. This means that you can run workflows that feature new functionality free of charge up to this limit, and can pay for increased capacity if you need more than what’s included.
• The control you need: Customers will be provided with the analytics and tools necessary to monitor and manage usage.

We’ll use the beta period to get more data on usage to finalize the pricing model and cost structure, but will always remain competitive against peers and align to customer value.

Where can I submit feedback during the beta?

If you have questions, feature requests, or just need a hand with the tools, you can contact us anytime.

Do these tools have EKM and Data Residency support?

During the beta, EKM and Data Residency are not supported by our new platform tools. Once they become generally available, both EKM and Data Residency will apply to these tools where applicable.

Do I have to deploy my app on Slack’s infrastructure?

Only if you want to! You can choose to deploy your app to Slack’s infrastructure, or deploy it to a hosting provider of your choice.

How can admins manage new apps built during the beta?

Admins can grant users permission to build and deploy apps with these new tools once the beta terms have been approved. All apps deployed using Slack’s infrastructure can be managed and approved with our existing app approval settings. When reviewing requests for Slack-deployed apps built as part of the beta, app managers will see any domains the app communicates with in addition to its scopes.

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The above information is for informational purposes only, and is not a binding commitment. Any unreleased products, functionality, or features referenced above or in other documentation, press release or public statements are not currently available and may not be delivered on time or at all.
Please do not rely on such information in making your purchasing decisions, because ultimately the development, release, and timing of any products, features, and functionality remains at the sole direction of Slack, and is subject to change. Customers who purchase our services should make purchase decisions based upon features that are currently available.