Overview

This guide shows you how to connect OpenAI (Standard) to Slack using OpenClaw. You'll configure the messaging channel, set up AI provider authentication, and deploy your assistant.

Slack Capabilities

Direct messages
Group chats
Media support
Reactions
Thread support
Native commands

OpenAI (Standard) Features

Standard OpenAI access
GPT-4o models
Simple setup
Wide compatibility

Step 1: Configure Slack

Create a Slack app at api.slack.com/apps
Enable Socket Mode and create app token
Add bot token scopes and install to workspace
Set SLACK_BOT_TOKEN and SLACK_APP_TOKEN environment variables
Configure slack in openclaw.json

Step 2: Configure OpenAI (Standard)

Standard API key only

Create account at platform.openai.com
Generate API key
Set OPENAI_API_KEY environment variable

Environment variable: OPENAI_API_KEY

Step 3: Combined Configuration

Add both configurations to your openclaw.json:

{
  "agents": {
    "defaults": {
      "model": {
        "primary": "openai/gpt-4o"
      }
    }
  },
  "models": {
    "providers": {
      "openai": {
  "models": {
    "providers": {
      "openai": {
        "apiKey": "${OPENAI_API_KEY}
    }
  },
  "channels": {
    "slack": {
      "botToken": "${SLACK_BOT_TOKEN}",
      "appToken": "${SLACK_APP_TOKEN}",
      "dmPolicy": "allowlist"
    }
  }
}
}

Step 4: Start and Test

# Start the gateway
openclaw gateway start

# Check connection status
openclaw status

# View real-time logs
openclaw logs --follow

Access Control

Slack supports the following access control policies:

DM Policies

Policy	Description
`allowlist`	Only senders in allowFrom list are processed
`pairing`	Unknown senders receive a pairing code; admin must approve
`open`	All DMs are processed (requires allowFrom: ["*"])