Slk

Session-based Slack CLI for macOS. Auto-authenticates from the Slack desktop app — no tokens, no OAuth, no app installs. Acts as your user (`xoxc-` session tokens).

## Commands

```bash
# Auth
slk auth                              # Test authentication, show user/team

# Read
slk channels                          # List channels (alias: ch)
slk dms                               # List DM conversations with IDs (alias: dm)
slk read <channel> [count]            # Read recent messages, default 20 (alias: r)
slk read @username [count]            # Read DMs by username
slk read <channel> --threads          # Auto-expand all threads
slk read <channel> --from 2026-02-01  # Date range filter
slk thread <channel> <ts> [count]     # Read thread replies, default 50 (alias: t)
slk search <query> [count]            # Search messages across workspace
slk users                             # List workspace users (alias: u)

# Activity
slk activity                          # All channels with unread/mention counts (alias: a)
slk unread                            # Only unreads, excludes muted (alias: ur)
slk starred                           # VIP users + starred items (alias: star)
slk saved [count] [--all]             # Saved for later items (alias: sv)
slk pins <channel>                    # Pinned items in a channel (alias: pin)

# Write
slk send <channel> <message>          # Send a message (alias: s)
slk react <channel> <ts> <emoji>      # React to a message

# Drafts (synced to Slack editor UI)
slk draft <channel> <message>         # Draft a channel message
slk draft thread <ch> <ts> <message>  # Draft a thread reply
slk draft user <user_id> <message>    # Draft a DM
slk drafts                            # List active drafts
slk draft drop <draft_id>             # Delete a draft
```

Channel accepts name (`general`), ID (`C08A8AQ2AFP`), `@username` for DMs, or user ID (`U07RQTFCLUC`).

## Auth

Automatic — extracts session token from Slack desktop app's LevelDB + decrypts cookie from macOS Keychain.

**First run:** macOS will show a Keychain dialog asking to allow access to "Slack Safe Storage":
- **Allow** — one-time access, prompted again next time
- **Always Allow** — permanent, no future prompts (convenient but any process running as your user can extract credentials silently)
- **Deny** — blocks access, slk cannot authenticate

**Token cache:** `~/.local/slk/token-cache.json` — auto-validated, auto-refreshed on `invalid_auth`.

If auth fails (token rotated, Slack logged out):
```bash
rm ~/.local/slk/token-cache.json
slk auth
```

Slack desktop app must be installed and logged in. Does not need to be running if token is cached.

## Reading Threads

Threads require a Slack timestamp. Use `--ts` to get it, then read the thread:

```bash
slk read general 10 --ts
# Output: [1/30/2026, 11:41 AM ts:1769753479.788949] User [3 replies]: ...

slk thread general 1769753479.788949
```

## Agent Workflow Examples

- **Heartbeat/cron unread check** — `slk unread` → `slk read <channel>` for channels that need attention
- **Save & pick up** — Human saves threads in Slack ("Save for later"). Agent runs `slk saved` during heartbeat, reads full threads with `slk thread`, summarizes or extracts action items
- **Daily channel digest** — `slk read <channel> 100` across key channels → compile decisions, open questions, action items → `slk send daily-digest "📋 ..."`
- **Weekly DM summary** — `slk read @boss 200 --from 2026-02-01 --threads` → extract action items, decisions, context
- **Thread monitoring** — Watch specific threads for new replies (incidents, PR reviews, decisions)
- **Draft for human review** — `slk draft <channel> "..."` posts to Slack's editor UI for human to review before sending
- **Search-driven context** — `slk search "deployment process"` or `slk pins <channel>` to pull context before answering questions

## Limitations

- **macOS only** — uses Keychain + Electron storage paths
- **Session-based** — acts as your user, not a bot. Be mindful of what you send
- **Draft drop** may fail with `draft_has_conflict` if Slack has that conversation open
- **Session token** expires on logout — keep Slack app running or rely on cached token

## Missing Features & Issues

Create PR or Report Issue at: https://github.com/therohitdas/slkcli