# Python Slack Bot Guide

This guide demonstrates how to create a Slack bot using the `slack-bolt` framework (built on top of `slack-sdk`). It uses **Socket Mode**, which allows your bot to receive events without exposing a public HTTP endpoint (no need for ngrok or static IPs during development).

**Modules Used:**
*   `slack_bolt`: The official framework for building Slack apps.
*   `slack_sdk`: The underlying client for the Slack API.
*   [[programming/python/modules/python-dotenv-module|python-dotenv]]: To securely manage tokens.

## Prerequisites

1.  Go to api.slack.com/apps and create a new app ("From scratch").
2.  **Socket Mode**: Go to "Socket Mode" in the sidebar, enable it, and generate an **App-Level Token** (name it `socket_token`). It starts with `xapp-`. Copy this.
3.  **Event Subscriptions**:
    *   Go to "Event Subscriptions", toggle "Enable Events".
    *   Expand "Subscribe to bot events" and add `app_mention` and `message.channels`.
4.  **OAuth & Permissions**:
    *   Go to "OAuth & Permissions".
    *   Under "Scopes" > "Bot Token Scopes", ensure `app_mentions:read`, `chat:write`, and `channels:history` are added.
    *   Scroll up and click "Install to Workspace".
    *   Copy the **Bot User OAuth Token**. It starts with `xoxb-`.

## Installation

```bash
pip install slack_bolt slack_sdk python-dotenv
```

## Setup

Create a `.env` file in your project directory:

```text
SLACK_BOT_TOKEN=xoxb-your-bot-token
SLACK_APP_TOKEN=xapp-your-app-level-token
```

## The Code

Save this as `slack_bot.py`.

```python
import os
from dotenv import load_dotenv
from slack_bolt import App
from slack_bolt.adapter.socket_mode import SocketModeHandler

# 1. Load Environment Variables
load_dotenv()

# 2. Initialize the App
app = App(token=os.environ.get("SLACK_BOT_TOKEN"))

# --- Event Listeners ---

@app.message("hello")
def message_hello(message, say):
    """
    Listens for messages containing "hello" and responds.
    """
    # say() sends a message to the channel where the event was triggered
    say(f"Hey there <@{message['user']}>!")

@app.event("app_mention")
def handle_app_mention_events(body, say):
    """
    Listens for mentions (@BotName) and responds.
    """
    say("You mentioned me?")

@app.command("/echo")
def repeat_text(ack, respond, command):
    """
    Listens for a slash command /echo (must be created in Slack App settings).
    """
    # Acknowledge command request
    ack()
    respond(f"You said: {command['text']}")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    print("⚡️ Bolt app is running!")
    # 3. Start Socket Mode
    SocketModeHandler(app, os.environ["SLACK_APP_TOKEN"]).start()
```

## Usage

1.  Run the script:
    ```bash
    python slack_bot.py
    ```
2.  In Slack, invite the bot to a channel (`/invite @YourBotName`).
3.  Type `hello` or mention the bot (`@YourBotName`) to see it respond.

[[programming/python/python]]