This document outlines the functionality and use cases for the Slack Block Kit Sender node, which enables sending richly formatted, interactive messages using Slack’s Block Kit framework.

When to Use

The Block Kit Sender node is ideal when you need to:

  • Create structured, visually appealing messages
  • Add interactive elements like buttons, hyperlinks, and embedded images
  • Present data in organized layouts with headers, sections, and dividers
  • Share status updates with rich formatting
  • Create consistent message templates
  • Display complex information hierarchies

Node Inputs

  • Channel: The Slack channel where the message will be sent (e.g., “#general”, “#team-updates”)
  • Blocks JSON String: JSON-formatted Block Kit content defining your message layout and components
  • Blocks Description (Optional): Text description for accessibility/notifications and mobile push alerts
  • Thread ID (Optional): For replying in specific message threads

Node Output

  • Posted Thread ID: The unique identifier of the sent message thread
  • Message Status: Success/failure of message delivery

Example Implementations

1. Project Update Template

Perfect for regular team updates with clear progress indicators.

[
  {
    "type": "header",
    "text": {
      "type": "plain_text",
      "text": "🚀 Project Update",
      "emoji": true
    }
  },
  {
    "type": "section",
    "text": {
      "type": "mrkdwn",
      "text": "Hello <#C05QUSA4CC9>! Here's your weekly project status:"
    }
  },
  {
    "type": "section",
    "text": {
      "type": "mrkdwn",
      "text": "*Current Progress:*\n• Phase 1: ✅ Complete\n• Phase 2: 🚧 In Progress `(75%)`\n• Phase 3: ⏳ Pending"
    }
  },
  {
    "type": "context",
    "elements": [
      {
        "type": "mrkdwn",
        "text": "📅 Next review: Monday at 10 AM"
      }
    ]
  }
]

Preview:

🚀 Project Update

Hello #project-team! Here’s your weekly project status:

Current Progress:

• Phase 1: ✅ Complete

• Phase 2: 🚧 In Progress (75%)

• Phase 3: ⏳ Pending

📅 Next review: Monday at 10 AM

2. Interactive Support Ticket

Useful for creating actionable support tickets with response options.

[
 {
   "type": "header",
   "text": {
     "type": "plain_text", 
     "text": "🎫 New Support Ticket",
     "emoji": true
   }
 },
 {
   "type": "section",
   "text": {
     "type": "mrkdwn",
     "text": "*Ticket ID:* #1234\n*Priority:* High\n*Reported by:* <@U07L10GLL80>"
   }
 },
 {
   "type": "section", 
   "text": {
     "type": "mrkdwn",
     "text": "*Issue Description:*\n```Unable to access production database. Error occurs during authentication.```"
   }
 },
 {
   "type": "actions",
   "elements": [
     {
       "type": "button",
       "text": {
         "type": "plain_text",
         "text": "View Details",
         "emoji": true
       },
       "url": "https://www.gumloop.com/",
       "value": "view_1234"
     }
   ]
 },
 {
   "type": "context",
   "elements": [
     {
       "type": "mrkdwn",
       "text": "🕐 Reported: 2024-11-26 14:30 UTC"
     }
   ]
 }
]

Preview:

🎫 New Support Ticket

Ticket ID: #1234

Priority: High

Reported by: @Sarah

Issue Description: Unable to access production database. Error occurs during authentication.

[View Details]

🕐 Reported: 2024-11-26 14:30 UTC

3. Performance Report Template

Great for sharing metrics and achievements in a structured format.

[
  {
    "type": "header",
    "text": {
      "type": "plain_text",
      "text": "📊 Q4 Performance Report",
      "emoji": true
    }
  },
  {
    "type": "section",
    "text": {
      "type": "mrkdwn",
      "text": "*Team Lead:* <@U07L10GLL80> | *Department:* <#C05QUSA4CC9>"
    },
    "accessory": {
      "type": "image",
      "image_url": "https://i.sstatic.net/JOiNx.png",
      "alt_text": "Team performance graph"
    }
  },
  {
    "type": "divider"
  },
  {
    "type": "section",
    "text": {
      "type": "mrkdwn",
      "text": "*Key Metrics:*\n```• Revenue: $1.2M (+15%)\n• Customer Growth: 2.5k (+30%)\n• Response Time: 2h (-50%)```"
    }
  },
  {
    "type": "section",
    "text": {
      "type": "mrkdwn",
      "text": "*Team Achievements:*\n• Launched 5 major features\n• Reduced bug backlog by 40%\n• Achieved 99.9% uptime"
    }
  }
]

Preview:

📊 Q4 Performance Report

Team Lead: @Sarah | Department: #sales-team [Graph Image]

Key Metrics:

• Revenue: $1.2M (+15%)
• Customer Growth: 2.5k (+30%)
• Response Time: 2h (-50%)

Team Achievements:

• Launched 5 major features

• Reduced bug backlog by 40%

• Achieved 99.9% uptime

Common Use Cases

  1. Automated Alerts

    • System status updates
    • Performance monitoring alerts
    • Security notifications
    • Deployment status messages
  2. Team Communication

    • Sprint updates
    • Meeting summaries
    • Project milestones
    • Team announcements
  3. Interactive Workflows

    • Approval requests
    • Incident management
    • Task assignments
  4. Data Visualization

    • Performance metrics via graphs
    • Analytics reports
    • Usage statistics
    • Health checks

Important Considerations

  1. Authentication: Set up Slack authentication in Gumloop’s Credentials page
  2. Channel Access: Add Gumloop to channels using /invite @Gumloop
  3. JSON Testing: Validate layouts in Block Kit Builder
  4. Loop Mode: Available for sending multiple messages

Learn More