Using the Slack integration

What can I do with the Slack integration?

1. Create and manage launches from Slack. Users with a non-observer TerraTrue account can create new launches directly from Slack with the /newlaunch command.

2. Sync launch conversations between TerraTrue and Slack. Capture and synchronize conversations between Slack and TerraTrue by linking a Slack channel, or a thread within a Slack channel, to one or more launches. Comments posted in a synced Slack channel will appear on the associated launch in TerraTrue, and vice versa.

3. Subscribe to TerraTrue events from Slack. With the /launchsub and /orgsub commands, users can receive notifications on individual launch events, or be notified of events across an entire TerraTrue org

What Slack commands does the integration offer?

☞   To learn more about Slack commands, see Slack's article on slash commands

In Slack, slash commands are quick ways to complete specific actions. TerraTrue’s Slack integration offers 5 slash commands:

• /newlaunch creates a new launch in TerraTrue
• /launchsub subscribes you to TerraTrue launch events for a specific launch
• /launchunsub unsubscribes you from TerraTrue launch events for a specific launch
• /orgsub subscribes you to events across your TerraTrue org
• /orgunsub unsubscribes you from org-wide TerraTrue events

How do TerraTrue-linked Slack channels work?

Linking one or more TerraTrue launches to a Slack channel lets you synchronize conversations across TerraTrue and Slack, so you can keep an eye on your launches without jumping between platforms. Here’s how it works:

Sync launch conversations dynamically between Slack and TerraTrue

• When you post a comment to a TerraTrue launch, it’ll appear automatically in a linked Slack channel
• Messages sent to a linked Slack channel will automatically display as comments in the associated TerraTrue launch.

Link a launch to a Slack channel, or to a thread within a channel

• Easily link launches to Slack channels directly from launch summary pages
• Create a new Slack channel for an individual TerraTrue launch, or link several launches to a single channel using threads — all from the launch summary page. Adding launch conversations to a thread within a channel keeps related conversations organized and cuts down on Slack clutter.

Automatically add key people to Slack channels and threads

• When you link a launch to a Slack channel, you’ll automatically be added to that channel, as will the creator of the launch and any reviewers assigned to it
• Each person automatically added to a linked channel will be notified in Slack
• When you add reviewers to a launch that has already been linked to Slack, those reviewers will automatically be added to the linked channel

Keep conversations private and secure

• TerraTrue admins can require that all linked Slack channels be private by default, ensuring that only people with access to the channel can see associated launch conversations
• Even if private channels are not required, TerraTrue’s product visibility rules will still apply. Unless a TerraTrue product has the default builtin: Everyone access group assigned to it, all Slack channels linked to that product’s launches will be treated as private.

How do I link a launch to a Slack channel?

1. On any launch summary page in TerraTrue, scroll down to the Comments section

2. On the right side of the section, click the Discuss in Slack icon

3. You’ll be asked if you’d like to link your launch discussion to a new Slack channel to a new thread in an existing Slack channel: 

• To discuss your launch in a new Slack channel:

1. Select Create a new Slack channel. (The channel’s visibility will be automatically set to either public or private, depending on the visibility rules assigned to the launch’s product, and on how your TerraTrue admin configured the Slack integration.)

2. Enter a name for the channel

3. Click Save

4. TerraTrue will create your channel in Slack and will add you, the launch creator, and all launch reviewers as channel members.

• To discuss your launch in a new thread within an existing Slack channel:

1. Select Create a thread in an existing channel. If this option isn’t available, see Why can’t I create threads in private Slack channels?

2. Use the search field to find the channel name. If the Slack channel you’re searching for is private, you’ll  need to enter the name exactly.

3. Select the channel and click Save

4. TerraTrue will create a thread in the Slack channel you selected. New and existing launch comments will be linked to that thread, and channel members will be notified that thread was created. You, the launch creator, and all launch reviewers will be added to the channel if you aren’t already members. 

How do public and private channels work in the Slack integration?

☞   To learn more about channel visibility in Slack, see Public vs. private channels

When you create a public Slack channel from TerraTrue, all comments posted to launches associated with that channel will be potentially visible to any users in your Slack workspace — even if they don’t have a TerraTrue account. Slack channels created from TerraTrue will be public by default, unless your TerraTrue admin has configured the Slack integration to require private channels.

If someone without a TerraTrue account comments on a launch from a public Slack channel, TerraTrue will show the commenter’s Slack username and email address. If this information is not available, we’ll display Unknown Slack User next to the comment in TerraTrue.

How will I be identified in TerraTrue when I use the Slack integration to post launch comments?

When a Slack user with a TerraTrue account posts launch comments via the Slack integration, TerraTrue will display that person’s TerraTrue identity next to their comment on the TerraTrue platform. If someone without a TerraTrue account comments on a launch from a public or private Slack channel, we follow a couple rules to identify them in TerraTrue:

• TerraTrue will display the commenter’s Slack username or email address, or both, if that information is available
• If TerraTrue cannot locate a commenter’s Slack username or email address, we’ll display Unknown Slack User next to the launch comment in TerraTrue

What permissions does the Slack integration request?

TerraTrue’s Slack integration requests the fewest permissions needed to provide the integration:

• View basic information about direct and group direct messages that TerraTrue has been added to
• View messages and other content in public channels that TerraTrue has been added to
• View basic information about public channels in your workspace
• View basic information about private channels that TerraTrue has been added to
• View people in your workspace
• View email addresses of people in your workspace
• Start direct and group direct messages with people
• Join public channels in your workspace
• Manage public channels that TerraTrue has been added to and create new ones
• Send messages as @terratrue
• Send messages to channels @terratrue isn't a member of
• Manage private channels that TerraTrue has been added to and create new ones
• Add shortcuts and slash commands that people can use

Troubleshooting the Slack integration

How long will synced Slack comments be visible in TerraTrue?

If your Slack workspace is configured to retain messages for two weeks or more, Slack comments will remain visible in TerraTrue for as long as your org’s Slack and TerraTrue accounts remain active, except when comments are deleted by their authors or by an admin. 

Why are Slack comments being deleted from TerraTrue?

If your synced Slack comments are disappearing from associated TerraTrue launches, it’s likely because they’re being managed by Slack’s retention rules. If your Slack workspace is configured to retain Slack messages for two weeks or less, any Slack comments synced with TerraTrue will be automatically deleted from TerraTrue once they’re removed from Slack. Ask your org’s Slack app manager to extend Slack’s retention period to longer than two weeks.

Why can’t I create threads in private Slack channels?

When you click the Discuss in Slack button on a launch summary page, you’ll be asked if you’d like to link your launch discussion to a new Slack channel or to a thread in an existing channel. 

If you’re not seeing the option to link your launch discussion to a thread in an existing channel, it’s likely because you’re not yet a member of the private Slack channel. (TerraTrue won’t surface private Slack channels to non-members.) Ask a member of the channel to invite you in Slack, then refresh the launch summary page and try again.