Slack Integration Permissions
2min read
When you connect Brainfish to your Slack workspace, it requests specific permissions to operate effectively. This guide explains what each permission allows, and what Brainfish cannot do, to ensure full transparency and trust.
Content and Message Access
Read Messages
Permissions: channels:history, im:history
Brainfish can:
- Read messages in public channels where it's added
- Read direct messages sent to Brainfish
- Understand message content to answer your questions
Brainfish cannot:
- Access messages that don’t mention it
- Read messages in channels it’s not invited to
- Access messages in private channels without explicit invite
Detect Mentions
Permission: app_mentions:read
Brainfish can:
- Recognize when someone mentions
@Brainfish - Know which channel the mention is in
- Understand the message context
Communication Capabilities
Send Messages
Permissions: chat:write, chat:write.customize, im:write
Brainfish can:
- Reply to questions in the same channel or thread
- Send direct messages when relevant
- Post to public channels (when invited to the channel)
- Use Slack formatting (bold, links, buttons)
Custom Formatting
Permission: chat:write.customize
Brainfish can:
- Format responses with Slack markdown
- Add helpful links, attachments, and buttons
- Present answers in a clear, structured layout
Link and URL Handling
Permissions: links:read, links:write
Brainfish can:
- Read shared links from https://app.brainfi.sh to understand context
- Generate link previews for internal documents
- Unfurl knowledge base links with rich previews
Commands and Interactions
Slash Commands
Permission: commands
Brainfish can:
- Respond to the
/fishcommand - Open modals for advanced searches
- Handle user parameters and filters
Where you can use /fish:
- Public channels: Yes
- Private channels (if Brainfish is invited): Yes
- Direct messages: No (use
@Brainfishinstead)
Private Channel Access
Permissions for Private Channels
groups:history– Read messages where addedgroups:write– Send messages where addedmpim:history– Read in group DMsmpim:write– Post in group DMs
What this means:
- Brainfish works in private channels and multi-party DMs if invited
- Use
@Brainfishor/fishafter inviting the bot - Cannot access any private content unless explicitly added
Privacy and Security
Brainfish does not:
- Read any messages unless directly mentioned
- Access user profiles, workspace settings, or user lists
- Store message content permanently
- Send messages as other users
Brainfish only:
- Logs search queries anonymously for product improvement
- Uses data strictly to provide answers and support
Troubleshooting
Bot not responding in private channels?
- Make sure you’ve used:
/invite @Brainfish - Use
/fishor@Brainfishto start the conversation - Confirm Brainfish has proper permissions
Permission denied errors?
- Check that Brainfish is invited to the channel
- Ensure it’s properly installed in your workspace
- Use it in a public or joined private channel
Slash command not working?
- Only works in channels, not DMs
- Use
@Brainfishfor questions in direct messages
Best Practices
- Invite Brainfish to channels where team questions arise
- Use
@Brainfishfor fast answers, and/fishfor advanced help - Leverage private channels for sensitive but collaborative tasks
- Create topic-specific channels for AI-powered support
Need Help?
Check this Help Center for FAQs and tips. Or contact Brainfish support directly for assistance.