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Build a Slack AI Agent with nanoinfra

This guide connects nanoinfra to Slack through Socket Mode. No public webhook URL is required for the first working setup.

What this guide builds​

  • a Slack app with Socket Mode
  • a bot token and app-level token
  • the slack channel enabled in nanoinfra
  • a DM pairing flow and mention test from an approved Slack user

Prerequisites​

  • A working nanoinfra reply:
nanoinfra agent -m "Hello!"
  • Permission to create a Slack app in a workspace.

Install nanoinfra​

Quick Start ranks four install methods easiest first. This is the first of them. Use pip, Docker or a source checkout instead if you prefer, and come back here.

uv tool install nanoinfra
nanoinfra onboard --wizard

Enable the Slack channel​

Install the optional channel dependency:

nanoinfra plugins enable slack

In Slack, do these steps. Create an app. Enable Socket Mode. Create an app-level token with connections:write. Add the bot scopes. Subscribe to the bot events. Install the app to your workspace.

Merge this snippet into ~/.nanoinfra/config.json:

{
  "channels": {
    "slack": {
      "enabled": true,
      "botToken": "xoxb-...",
      "appToken": "xapp-...",
      "groupPolicy": "mention",
      "dm": {
        "policy": "allowlist"
      }
    }
  }
}

Slack DMs are open by default. Setting dm.policy to "allowlist" with no dm.allowFrom entries makes new DM senders receive a pairing code. Approve the code before using the bot normally.

Run nanoinfra gateway​

nanoinfra channels status
nanoinfra gateway

Test a message​

DM the Slack bot directly. It should return a pairing code. Approve that code from a trusted local surface, and not the example below:

nanoinfra agent -m "/pairing approve <the code the bot sent you>"

If you missed the code, list the pending requests:

nanoinfra agent -m "/pairing"

Then DM the bot again, or mention it in a channel:

@nanoinfra Hello from Slack

Security notes​

  • Keep groupPolicy as mention unless the bot is intentionally listening to every channel message.
  • Keep dm.policy as "allowlist" when you want pairing-based approval.
  • Use groupAllowFrom with allowlist mode for approved channels.
  • Reinstall the Slack app after changing scopes.
  • Keep bot and app tokens out of committed config files.

Troubleshooting​

  • If Socket Mode fails, confirm the app-level token starts with xapp-.
  • If the bot cannot send files, add files:write, reinstall the app, and restart nanoinfra.
  • If a DM responds normally without pairing, check that dm.policy is "allowlist".
  • If channel messages are ignored, check event subscriptions and group policy.

Next: memory, automations, MCP tools​