> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.cortex.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.cortex.io/ingesting-data-into-cortex/integrations/slack.md).

# Slack

{% hint style="info" %}
Cortex connects to many third-party vendors whose system interfaces frequently change. As a result, integration behavior or configuration steps may shift without notice. If you encounter unexpected issues, check with your system administrator or refer to the vendor's documentation for the most current information. Additionally, integration sync times vary and are subject to scheduling overrides and timing variance.
{% endhint %}

## Why use the integration for Slack

Slack is where your team already communicates. Connecting it to Cortex brings your ownership, standards, and alerts into the same place, so you spend less time switching tools.

With the Slack integration, you can:

* **Ask questions, get answers.** Query Cortex in natural language instead of clicking through the UI. Mention `@Cortex` and ask things like "Which entities do I own?" or "Show me all critical services failing the Production Readiness Scorecard."
* **Reach the right team faster.** Slack channels appear in the **Communications** block on entity details pages, so you always know where to go when you're coordinating work or responding to an incident.
* **Stay on top of what matters.** Get notified in Slack when Scorecard results change, when an Initiative deadline is coming up, and when your weekly entity performance summary is ready, so you don't have to watch a dashboard.
* **Enforce communication standards.** Make having a Slack channel part of your definition of production-ready. Write a Scorecard rule that checks whether an entity defines a Slack channel in its YAML, so every service is held to the same bar. Teams can see which entities are missing one, and you can attach the rule to an Initiative when you need a deadline.

## Configuring Slack

{% hint style="warning" %}
Interacting with Cortex in Slack requires the latest version of the [Cortex Slack app](/ingesting-data-into-cortex/integrations/slack.md#configuring-slack). If you installed the app before February 2025, you'll need to update it before you can chat with Cortex. Slack administrator permissions are required to perform the update.

To install, go to the Slack settings (**Integrations > Slack > Settings**) in Cortex. Delete the existing configuration and reinstall following the prompts.
{% endhint %}

### Prerequisites

1. Users with the `Configure Integrations` permissions can configure Slack in Cortex.
2. You must be an admin in your Slack account.
3. The Slack account must not be linked to another Cortex tenant.

{% hint style="warning" %}
For on-premises Cortex instances, follow the manual configuration process. See [self-managed Slack](/self-managed/features/integrations/slack.md).
{% endhint %}

### Step 1: Configuring Slack in Cortex

1. From the main sidebar, select **Integrations**.
2. Locate Slack, then click **Install**. The Slack side panel opens.
3. In the Slack side panel, click **Add to Slack**. The **Allow access** window opens.
4. From the **Workspace** dropdown, select your workspace.
5. Review the app permissions, then click **Allow**.
   * After signing in to Slack and granting permission for Cortex to access the Slack workspace, you are redirected to the Slack settings page in Cortex.
6. In the upper-right corner of the page, click **Test configuration** to test the connection. A successful connection means your integration is configured correctly.

{% hint style="info" %}
Slack channels are cached and refreshed every four (4) hours, so newly added or updated channels may not appear immediately in the UI or on an entity's details page.
{% endhint %}

### Step 2: Configuring app settings

Follow the steps below to configure additional settings in the Cortex Slack app.

1. From the main sidebar, select **Integrations**.
2. Locate Slack, then click **Settings**.
3. From the **Integration settings** tab, do any of the following:
   1. In the **Configurations** section:
      1. Click the **trash icon** to delete the current configuration.
   2. In the **Slack app settings** section:
      1. Click **Notification settings** to configure notifications to be sent via Slack for your organization. See [Managing Slack notifications](/ingesting-data-into-cortex/integrations/slack/using-the-integration-for-slack-ai-assistant.md#managing-slack-notifications) for more information.
      2. Click **Identity mappings** to map email addresses from your Slack workspace to email addresses of team members in Cortex, making sure the integration works as expected for users. See [Configuring identity mappings](/configure/settings/managing-users/identity-mapping.md) for more information.

## Privacy policy <a href="#privacy-policy" id="privacy-policy"></a>

Cortex retains basic Slack metadata like user IDs for the period necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in our [Privacy Policy](https://www.cortex.io/legal/privacy-policy) unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law, or where the Customer Agreement requires or permits specific retention or deletion periods.

To request to access, transfer, or delete data, you can reach out to the Cortex support team.

## AI disclosure

Cortex uses large language models (LLM) to generate responses to user queries within Slack. While we've designed the app to be helpful and accurate, AI-generated content can sometimes be incorrect, incomplete, misleading, or out of date. The model may occasionally produce responses that sound plausible but are factually wrong ("hallucinations"). Responses may contain factual errors, outdated information, or fabricated details presented confidently. The model does not have real-time knowledge of your organization's specific data unless explicitly provided in context. Output should be reviewed by a human before being used for decision-making, shared externally, or treated as authoritative. Cortex is not a substitute for professional advice (legal, financial, medical, or otherwise), and responses should not be relied upon as a sole source of truth for important decisions. We encourage users to independently verify any information provided by the app before acting on it.