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

# Exa in Slack

Bring Exa Agent into your team's Slack. Tag **@Exa** in any channel or thread with a research question, list-building task, or enrichment request. Exa Agent searches the web, reads sources, and replies in-thread with cited answers.

## Get started

### Installation

1. Go to [Dashboard > Management > Exa in Slack](https://dashboard.exa.ai/integrations/slack), then click **Install**.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/exa-52/oFgYnBpTtY32V-5o/images/exa-slack-dashboard-install.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=oFgYnBpTtY32V-5o&q=85&s=2fa137b4ab73d3227e97c77d13b31e35" alt="The Exa in Slack page in the Exa dashboard, with the Install button" width="3414" height="900" data-path="images/exa-slack-dashboard-install.png" />

2. Slack's OAuth flow opens. Pick the workspace you want Exa in, then click **Allow**.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/exa-52/oFgYnBpTtY32V-5o/images/exa-slack-oauth-approval.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=oFgYnBpTtY32V-5o&q=85&s=4e22ceca75532faade12b0db03f93a56" alt="Slack's OAuth approval screen for the Exa app, showing the &#x22;App is not approved by Slack&#x22; notice, a workspace picker, the requested permissions, and the Allow button" width="1820" height="1180" data-path="images/exa-slack-oauth-approval.png" />

<Note>
  The red **"App is not approved by Slack"** notice is expected and safe to ignore. It only means Exa isn't in the public Slack Marketplace, not that anything is wrong.
</Note>

3. Once installed, invite @Exa to a channel (or DM it directly) and start asking questions.

## How to use Exa from Slack

In any channel Exa has been added to, mention @Exa with your question:

```
@Exa find all Series A fintech startups in SF
```

Exa Agent replies in a thread with its progress and a cited answer.

### Follow-ups

Once Exa has answered in a thread, just reply in that thread to continue the conversation. No need to mention @Exa again. Exa remembers the conversation, so follow-ups build on the previous answer. Anyone in the thread can follow up.

### Direct messages

You can also message Exa directly in a DM. No mention is needed there at all. Each message you send starts a new request, answered in a thread under that message. Reply in the thread to continue that conversation.

### Cancelling a run

While a run is in progress, reply `cancel`, `stop`, or `abort` in the thread to cancel it. No mention needed.

### Exa Connect providers

Start your message with `!connect` to pick [Exa Connect](/docs/reference/agent-api/connect/overview) data providers:

```
@Exa !connect find me all AI infrastructure startups that raised funding this quarter using Crunchbase
```

Exa posts a picker in the thread. Select the data providers you want, then click **Run** to start the query with those providers included.

## Keywords

Use these in a thread Exa is in:

| Keyword                   | Function                                                                                             |
| ------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `cancel`, `stop`, `abort` | Cancels a currently active run.                                                                      |
| `mute`, `sleep`           | Stops Exa from responding to un-mentioned replies in the thread. Explicit @Exa mentions still work.  |
| `unmute`                  | Resumes thread follow-ups after a `mute` or `sleep`.                                                 |
| `aside <message>`         | Posts a side comment that Exa ignores, useful for talking to teammates in a thread Exa is following. |
| `help`                    | Shows usage instructions.                                                                            |

## Permissions

The Exa app for Slack requests the following scopes:

| Permission                                         | Description                                          | Rationale                                                           |
| -------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `app_mentions:read`                                | View messages that directly mention @Exa             | Know when Exa is asked a question                                   |
| `chat:write`                                       | Send messages as @Exa                                | Post answers, progress updates, and confirmations                   |
| `channels:history`, `groups:history`, `im:history` | View messages in conversations Exa has been added to | Receive thread replies and DMs so follow-ups work without a mention |
| `files:write`                                      | Upload, edit, and delete files as @Exa               | Attach result files (e.g. exported tables) to answers               |

Exa only receives messages from channels it has been explicitly invited to and from its own DMs, and never stores your Slack messages.

## Pricing

Exa Agent runs started from Slack are billed to your Exa team. See [pricing](https://exa.ai/pricing) for details.

## Privacy

For details on how Exa handles your data, see the [Exa privacy policy](https://exa.ai/privacy-policy).