Claude Code in Slack
Delegate coding tasks without leaving Slack. Mention @Claude in any channel, and Claude automatically opens a full Claude Code session on the web — then posts progress updates and action buttons back in your thread.
What is Claude Code in Slack?
Claude Code in Slack is an extension of the Claude for Slack app that adds intelligent routing for coding tasks. When Claude detects that your message is a development request, it automatically creates a Claude Code session on claude.ai/code rather than answering as a regular chat assistant.
The full session runs in the background. You get progress updates in your Slack thread and, when done, action buttons to View Session, Create PR, or Change Repo.
Example — fixing a bug from Slack
A developer reports a 500 error in the #engineering channel. Claude investigates, fixes the bug, and posts a summary — all without anyone leaving Slack.
@Claude our checkout API is returning 500 errors for orders over $500. Logs show a ValidationError in order.service.ts. Can you investigate and fix it?
Starting Claude Code session on acme/api-service
I'll investigate the ValidationError in order.service.ts…
Done — @james.d
Fixed the issue. The order amount validator had a hardcoded maximum of 499.99 in schemas/order.schema.ts. Removed the cap and added a test for orders over $500.
Prerequisites
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Claude Plan | Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise with Claude Code access |
| Claude Code on the web | Must be enabled for your account at claude.ai/code |
| GitHub account | Connected to Claude Code on the web with at least one repository |
| Slack authentication | Your Slack account linked to your Claude account via the Claude app |
Setup
Install the Claude app in Slack
A workspace administrator visits the Slack App Marketplace and clicks Add to Slack. Only admins can install apps for the whole workspace.
Connect your Claude account
Open the Claude app in Slack (find it under Apps), go to the App Home tab, click Connect, and complete the browser authentication flow. Each team member does this individually — sessions always run under the user's own account.
Configure Claude Code on the web
Visit claude.ai/code with the same account. Connect your GitHub account and authenticate at least one repository. Claude uses these connections when running sessions triggered from Slack.
Choose a routing mode
In the Claude App Home in Slack, select how you want messages handled:
| Mode | Behaviour |
|---|---|
| Code only | All @Claude mentions start a Claude Code session. Best for teams using Claude purely for development. |
| Code + Chat | Claude analyses each message and routes to Code or Chat based on intent. Best for mixed dev and general Q&A. |
Invite Claude to your channels
Claude is not added to channels automatically. In each channel where you want to use it, type /invite @Claude. Claude only responds to mentions in channels it has been invited to — works in both public and private channels.
How a session flows
- 1
You mention @Claude
Type your request in any channel or thread where Claude has been invited.
- 2
Claude detects intent
Claude analyses your message. Coding tasks go to a Claude Code session; general questions go to Claude Chat (in Code + Chat mode).
- 3
Session created
A new Claude Code session opens on claude.ai/code using your connected GitHub repositories.
- 4
Progress updates posted
Claude posts status updates to your Slack thread as it reads files, makes changes, and runs checks.
- 5
Completion summary
Claude @mentions you with a summary and action buttons: View Session, Create PR, and Change Repo.
- 6
You review and merge
Click View Session to see the full transcript, or Create PR to open a pull request directly from the session.
What you can ask Claude to do
| Task | Example |
|---|---|
| Investigate a bug | @Claude the login endpoint is throwing 401 for valid tokens — can you find and fix the issue? |
| Implement a feature | @Claude add pagination to the /api/products endpoint, 20 items per page |
| Refactor code | @Claude the UserService class is too large — split it into separate auth and profile services |
| Write tests | @Claude add tests for the checkout flow — we need coverage for edge cases |
| Update docs | @Claude update the README with setup instructions for the new Docker environment |
| Review a change | @Claude review the changes in PR #88 for security issues before we merge |
Writing effective requests
Claude gathers context from the thread you're in. A few habits make sessions more accurate:
| Habit | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Be specific | Include file names, function names, or error messages. The more precise, the faster Claude finds the right code. |
| Use threads | Reply in an existing bug or feature thread so Claude picks up all the context already discussed. |
| Define done | Say what success looks like — should Claude write tests? Update docs? Create a PR? |
| Name the repo | If your workspace has multiple repos, mention the repo name so Claude selects the right one. |
Current limitations
| Limitation | Detail |
|---|---|
| GitHub only | Only GitHub repositories are supported. GitLab and Bitbucket are not yet available. |
| No DMs | Claude only responds in channels (public or private). Direct messages are not supported. |
| One PR per session | Each session can create one pull request. For multiple PRs, start separate sessions. |
| Your plan limits apply | Sessions count against your individual plan's rate limits, not a shared workspace pool. |
Troubleshooting
Sessions not starting after @Claude mention
Open the Claude App Home in Slack and verify your account is connected. Check that Claude Code on the web is enabled at claude.ai/code and that you have at least one GitHub repository connected.
Claude responds with Chat instead of a Code session
In Code + Chat mode, Claude uses intent detection. If it picks Chat incorrectly, click Retry as Code in the message to start a Code session instead. Or switch to Code only mode in the App Home.
Wrong repository selected
Click the Change Repo button in Claude's response to pick the correct repository. For future requests, mention the repository name explicitly in your message.
Authentication errors
Disconnect and reconnect your Claude account in the App Home. Make sure you are signed into the correct Claude account in your browser and that your plan includes Claude Code access.
Quick reference
| Task | How |
|---|---|
| Install the Claude app | Slack App Marketplace → Add to Slack |
| Connect your account | Claude App Home → App Home tab → Connect |
| Configure web access | claude.ai/code |
| Add Claude to a channel | /invite @Claude in the channel |
| Trigger a coding session | @Claude <your request> in any invited channel |
| Force a Code session | Click Retry as Code if Claude responded in Chat mode |
| Change the repository | Click Change Repo in Claude's response message |
| Open the full session | Click View Session in Claude's response message |
| Create a pull request | Click Create PR in Claude's completion message |
| View past sessions | claude.ai/code |
Before you continue
- @Claude in Slack can route coding tasks to a full Claude Code session on claude.ai/code.
- Each user connects their own Claude account; sessions run under individual plan limits.
- Choose Code only or Code + Chat routing in the Claude App Home.
- Invite Claude to channels with
/invite @Claudebefore mentioning it. - Next lesson: Claude Desktop App Tour — the home of both Chat and Cowork modes.
What's Next
Claude is live in Slack. The next lesson tours the Claude Desktop app — the home of both Chat and Cowork modes.