Create a Slack workflow that starts with a keyword

To help automate a process or task, you can create a workflow that starts when a message is sent in Slack with the keywords you specify. 

How it works

• Set up your workflow to start with the When a message is posted trigger, then add keyword conditions and channels for the workflow to use.
• Keyword conditions are sets of keywords that must be included or excluded in a message to kick off your workflow. You can choose up to five keyword conditions per workflow.
• Once you publish your workflow, it will start when your keywords are used in the channels you specified.
• These types of workflows can only be configured in public channels. Private channels or channels with external people aren't supported at this time.

Note: Owners and admins can restrict who can create workflows that are triggered by a message in Slack. If you don’t see this option in Workflow Builder, find an owner or admin to ask for help.

Step 1: Create your workflow

To begin, you’ll need to create a workflow and select the When a message is posted event to start it.

1. From your desktop, click   Tools in the sidebar.
2. From   Workflows, click   New in the top right.
3. Select   Build Workflow. 
4. Below Start the workflow, click   Choose an event, then select
     When a message is posted.
5. Below Channels, select up to 20 channels. When your workflow is published, it will start when your keywords are used in those channels.
6. Click Add Keyword Condition.
7. Below Include all of these keywords, enter the words you’d like to trigger your workflow, then click Done.
8. If you’d like, click Show Advanced Filters to further customize your workflow (ex., to include or exclude messages from threads and agents).
9. Click Continue. 

Step 2: Customize and publish your workflow

Once you’ve configured your workflow trigger, you’re ready to add steps and publish your workflow.

1. Click   Add Step.
2. Search for a step, or choose one from the list.
3. Follow the prompts to configure the step, then click Save. If you’d like, add more steps like a branch or a form.
4. When your workflow is complete, click Finish Up, then follow the prompts to publish your workflow.

Tip: You can also create event triggers using the MessagePosted event to programmatically start a workflow from a message in Slack.

Who can use this feature?

• All members (by default)
• Available on paid plans