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

# Slack app

> Get answers from your company's knowledge base directly in Slack

## Overview

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/realm/4tyMcAOjf0TFx3Pz/images/slack-app-overview.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=4tyMcAOjf0TFx3Pz&q=85&s=c73cf8fae0e7f2e6bc819cc337d6f45a" alt="Realm Slack app" width="2872" height="1800" data-path="images/slack-app-overview.png" />
</Frame>

The Realm Slack App allows you to get answers from your company's knowledge base directly within Slack, just like sending a message to a colleague.

## Install without syncing Slack knowledge

Admins can install the Slack app without syncing Slack messages into Realm knowledge. This is useful when you want people to use Realm from Slack, but do not want Slack channels to become a searchable data source.

Go to **Settings** > **Data sources**, scroll to **Other integrations**, and click **Install** on **Slack App**.

<Note>
  To sync Slack messages as knowledge, connect Slack from the Slack data source page instead. For details, see [Admin guide: Slack data source](/admin/data-sources/slack).
</Note>

## How to use Realm in Slack

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Mentioning in channels">
    In any public or private channel where the Realm app has been added, ask a question by mentioning @Realm followed by your query. Realm will reply in a thread.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Direct messages">
    Find the Realm app in the Apps section of your Slack sidebar. Open a DM with the Realm app and ask your question. Reply in the same thread to maintain context for follow-ups.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Specific Agents">
    Interact with specific Realm Agents that have been added to Slack channels.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Slack Apps sidebar">
    If your Slack admin has enabled it, you can access Realm directly from the sidebar in the bottom-right corner of Slack under "Apps".
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Note>
  If the Realm app is not visible in the Slack assistants sidebar, ask your admin to follow [Slack's instructions for displaying AI apps](https://slack.com/help/articles/33077521383059-Display-AI-apps-in-Slack).
</Note>

## Best practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Be specific in your questions" icon="bullseye">
    Provide clear context to get the most accurate answers from Realm.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use threads for follow-ups" icon="comments">
    Reply in the same thread to maintain context for follow-up questions on the same topic.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Start new conversations for new topics" icon="plus">
    Begin a fresh conversation when switching to an unrelated topic for better results.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Note>
  Only users with an active Realm license can use the Realm Assistant in Slack. Adding the Realm app to your Slack workspace requires administrator permissions.
</Note>

## Related pages

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Add Agents to channels" icon="hashtag" href="/agents/slack-channels">
    Configure Agents for Slack channels
  </Card>

  <Card title="Browser Extension" icon="chrome" href="/integrations/chrome-extension">
    Access Realm from your browser
  </Card>
</CardGroup>