> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.gumloop.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Slack Block Kit Sender

The **Slack Block Kit Sender** node sends richly formatted, interactive messages using Slack's Block Kit framework.

## Channel Access Requirements

<Info>
  To send Block Kit messages to a channel, you must be a member of that channel AND the Gumloop bot must be invited to the channel (unless using "Send as user" mode).
</Info>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Authenticate with Slack">
    Go to the [Connectors page](https://www.gumloop.com/personal/connectors) and connect your Slack workspace.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Join the Channel">
    Make sure you're a member of the channel where you want to send messages. Private channels require an invite from an existing member.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Invite the Gumloop Bot">
    Type `/invite @Gumloop` in the channel, or click the channel name and select Add integrations/Add app to search for "Gumloop".

    <div align="center">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/agenthub/jPoPAi23OST-yycZ/images/slack_integration_add_app.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=jPoPAi23OST-yycZ&q=85&s=ec243ef55f5327573a97641e64e60fe1" alt="Adding Gumloop app to Slack channel" width="700" data-path="images/slack_integration_add_app.png" />
    </div>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the Channel">
    The channel will now appear in the dropdown menu in the node configuration.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  If you enable **"Send as user profile"** in the node options, the Gumloop bot does not need to be in the channel. The message will be sent using your personal Slack token instead. You still need to be a member of the channel.
</Tip>

### Direct Messages (DMs)

You can send Block Kit messages directly to users by selecting a user from the dropdown or using their user ID.

<div align="center">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/agenthub/w1F7hfGEH4EChCiL/images/slack_block_kit_dm.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=w1F7hfGEH4EChCiL&q=85&s=1387d48694a65dbc18c7a795ba808dc4" alt="Block Kit direct message configuration" width="800" data-path="images/slack_block_kit_dm.png" />
</div>

## When to Use

The Block Kit Sender is ideal for:

| Use Case                 | Example                                                          |
| ------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Structured Messages**  | Visually appealing messages with headers, sections, and dividers |
| **Interactive Elements** | Buttons, hyperlinks, and embedded images                         |
| **Status Updates**       | Rich formatting for project updates and alerts                   |
| **Message Templates**    | Consistent, reusable message formats                             |

## Node Inputs

| Input                             | Description                                                                                                   |
| --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Channel**                       | The Slack channel where the message will be sent                                                              |
| **Blocks JSON String**            | JSON-formatted Block Kit content defining your message layout                                                 |
| **Blocks Description** (Optional) | Text description for accessibility/notifications and mobile push alerts                                       |
| **Thread ID** (Optional)          | For replying in specific threads. Fetch from [Slack Message Reader](/nodes/integrations/slack_message_reader) |

<Tip>
  If you have raw content that needs to be converted to Slack Markdown for Block Kit, use the [Generate Report](/nodes/using_ai/generate_report) node to automatically format your content.
</Tip>

### Send as User Profile

<Accordion title="Send as User Profile Option">
  When enabled under "Show More Options", this uses your personal Slack token to send messages:

  * The message appears as sent by you, not the Gumloop bot
  * **The Gumloop bot does not need to be in the channel**
  * You still need to be a member of the channel
  * Useful for personal messaging or when you want messages to appear from your account
</Accordion>

## Node Output

| Output               | Description                                      |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| **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.

```json theme={"dark"}
[
  {
    "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.

````json theme={"dark"}
[
 {
   "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.

````json theme={"dark"}
[
  {
    "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 the [Connectors page](https://www.gumloop.com/personal/connectors)
2. **Channel Membership**: You must be a member of the channel for it to appear in the dropdown
3. **Gumloop Bot Required**: The Gumloop bot must be invited to the channel using `/invite @Gumloop` (unless using "Send as user profile")
4. **Send as User**: When enabled, the bot is not required - messages are sent using your personal token
5. **JSON Testing**: Validate layouts in [Block Kit Builder](https://app.slack.com/block-kit-builder)
6. **Loop Mode**: Use Loop Mode for sending multiple messages

## Advanced Slack Features

<Info>
  Need more advanced Slack capabilities like managing channels, uploading files, or adding reactions? Use the [Slack MCP node](/nodes/mcp/slack) to create custom Slack integrations with natural language prompts.
</Info>

## Learn More

* [Block Kit Overview](https://api.slack.com/block-kit)
* [Block Kit Builder](https://app.slack.com/block-kit-builder)
* [Block Kit Reference](https://api.slack.com/reference/block-kit/blocks)