How to Install a Slackbot on Slack

This guide will walk you through the steps to install the Quivr Slackbot on your Slack workspace.

Prerequisites

  • Clone the Quivr Slackbot repository and install the requirements
  • Have an ngrok account (for making the Slackbot accessible outside your local network)
  • Have a Slack workspace where you want to install the Slackbot

Step 1: Set up the Environment

  1. Copy the slackbot.env.example file and rename it to .env.

Step 2: Make the Slackbot Accessible

  1. Use ngrok to make the Quivr Slackbot accessible outside your local network.
  2. Save the generated URL for later use.

Step 3: Create a New Slack App

  1. Go to api.slack.com and create a new app.
  2. Select “From an app manifest” and choose the workspace where you want to use the Slackbot.
  3. Copy the contents of app_manifest.json from the Quivr repository and paste it into the app manifest field.
  4. Click “Create” to create the app.

Step 4: Configure the Slackbot

  1. Copy the “Signing Secret” from the Slack app settings and paste it into the .env file.
  2. Go to the “OAuth & Permissions” section and install the app to your workspace.
  3. Copy the “Bot User OAuth Token” and paste it into the .env file.
  4. Obtain a Quivr API key from the Quivr production environment and add it to the .env file.

Step 5: Start the Quivr Slackbot

  1. Run the command python main.py to start the Quivr Slackbot locally.

Step 6: Configure Event Subscriptions

  1. In the Slack app settings, go to the “Event Subscriptions” section.
  2. Change the URL to the one provided by ngrok (e.g., https://your-ngrok-url.ngrok.io/slack/events).
  3. Save the changes.

Step 7: Enable Interactivity

  1. In the Slack app settings, go to the “Interactivity & Shortcuts” section.
  2. Enable interactivity and set the URL to https://your-ngrok-url.ngrok.io/slack/interactive.
  3. Save the changes.

Step 8: Customize the Slackbot (Optional)

  1. You can change the name and background color of the Slackbot in the Slack app settings.

Step 9: Test the Slackbot

  1. Go to your Slack workspace and mention the Slackbot using @quivr (or the name you set).
  2. Ask a question and select the brain you want to use (e.g., “quivr”).
  3. The Slackbot will provide an answer based on the selected brain.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed and configured the Quivr Slackbot on your Slack workspace. Enjoy using it to ask questions and get answers from your Quivr brains.