Using Handle in Slack

Learn how to interact with your Handlers directly in Slack — from starting conversations to approving actions.

Slack is the primary interface for working with your Handlers. Once a Handler is set up, your team can interact with it just like they would with any other colleague — by sending it a message.

Starting a Conversation

There are several ways to start a conversation with a Handler in Slack:

  • Direct message — Send a DM to your Handler’s Slack user
  • Mention — Mention your Handler in any channel it’s been invited to
  • Thread reply — Reply in a thread where the Handler is already participating

The Handler will respond based on its configured purpose, tone of voice, and available handbooks.

How Conversations Work

When you message a Handler, it:

  1. Reads your message and any relevant conversation history
  2. Consults its Skills, Memory, and Code Tools as needed
  3. Formulates a response or takes action
  4. Sends the response back to you in Slack (or creates a draft if approval is required)

Conversations are persistent — your Handler remembers the full context of the thread it’s in.

Approving Actions in Slack

When a Handler needs approval before sending a message or using a tool, you’ll see a notification in Slack with:

  • The draft message or action description
  • Approve and Reject buttons
  • Optional feedback field for rejections

You can handle approvals directly in Slack without needing to visit the Handle web app.

Tips for Effective Slack Interactions

  • Be specific — The clearer your request, the better the Handler can help
  • Use threads — Keep related messages in threads to maintain context
  • Tag the right Handler — If you have multiple Handlers, make sure you’re talking to the one with the right skills for the job
  • Check the dashboard — If a Handler seems slow to respond, check its dashboard to see if it’s working on subtasks or waiting for approval