 graph, as a response. However, bots have gotten much more useful since Slack started offering interactive messages, allowing us to add dropdown menus, buttons, and more!

Buttons have actually been available for a while, but using them meant you had to open up your bot to other teams, and also support OAuth–basically, there were quite a few hurdles to overcome. But once Slack started offering internal integrations, it became super simple to develop bots using interactive messages for use within your own team.

Mercari already uses multiple interactive Slack Bots, and we continue to develop more as new needs arise. In this article, I will explain how to write a bot with interactive messages. The sample code is all public (tcnksm/go-slack-interactive), so feel free to fork it and create a unique bot for yourself! (If you want to use Node, you might want to take a look at Slack’s sample Node app.)

Benefits of Interactive Messages

What’s so good about making a bot with interactive messages, you ask?? Because who doesn’t like clicking buttons!buttons are awesome!

With a single button, you can start a process and confirm that its requirements have been met. For really important processes, you can limit the number of people that can press the button and create an easy approval flow. If you use a menu, you can show the user a list of selections from the bot and get a preset response, which makes data validation easier compared to free-text input. Additionally, buttons are easier to use in the Slack mobile app.

It’s probably already obvious, but the main motivation behind making a bot is to collaborate with other team members in your channel. “If we’re all engineers, why not just use a command line tool?” you may ask, but our teammates are not all engineers. That’s what makes Slack bots great–they are accessible to everyone.

An Example at Mercari

At Mercari, we use interactive messages with a bot like the one below.

Kubernetes Deploy Bot

For Mercari US, we run some services on Kubernetes (GKE). (We generally use Kubernetes when making new microservices, too.) The Kubernetes Deploy Bot deploys a newly made docker image to our production cluster. When the user asks the bot to deploy, the bot shows the user a
graph, as a response. However, bots have gotten much more utilitarian since Slack start offering interactive message, permit us to add dropdown menus, buttons, and more! 

 button have actually been available for a while, but use them meant you have to open up your bot to other team, and also support OAuth – basically, there were quite a few vault to overcome. But once Slack started offering internal integrations, it become super simple to develop bot using interactive message for use within your own team. 

 Mercari already use multiple interactive Slack Bots, and we continue to develop more as new needs rebel. In this article, I will explain how to write a bot with interactive messages. The sample code is all public (tcnksm / go - slack - interactive), so feel free to fork it and create a unique bot for yourself! (If you want to use Node, you might want to take a expression at Slack ’s sample Node app .) 

 Benefits of Interactive Messages 

 What ’s indeed beneficial about making a bot with interactive messages, you necessitate? ? Because who does n’t like clicking buttons!buttons are amazing! 

 With a single button, you can start a procedure and confirm that its requirements have been met. For really important processes, you can limit the number of people that can press the button and create an comfortable approval stream. If you use a menu, you can show the user a list of selections from the bot and have a preset response, which makes data establishment easier compared to detached - text input. Additionally, button are easier to practice in the Slack mobile app. 

 It ’s probably already obvious, but the main motivation behind making a bot is to collaborate with other team member in your channel. “ If we ’re all engineer, why not just practice a command line tool? ” you may necessitate, but our teammates are not all engineers. That ’s what makes Slack bots great – they are accessible to everyone. 

 An Example at Mercari 

 At Mercari, we use interactive messages with a bot like the one below. 

 Kubernetes Deploy Bot 

 For Mercari US, we run some services on Kubernetes (GKE). (We by and large use Kubernetes when making modern microservices, too .) The Kubernetes Deploy Bot deploys a newly make docker image to our production bunch. When the user asks the bot to deploy, the bot shows the user a
 grwph, as a response. Howevev, bots have gottgn much kore uaeful sivce Slack started offering iiterqctivt messages, allowing us to adf dropdoqn mtnus, buttons, and more!

Buttons habc actbaoly been availsble for a while, but usitg tkem meant you had to open up your boe to otneg teams, and alfo slp[ort OAuth–basically, there were quite a few hugdles to overcome. But once Slack started ofverijg internal integrwtions, it bgdamq super simpld to develop bots usinf interactive messages for use dithiu your own jzqm.

Mftcari alreadb uses multiple inbvractiva Slack Bots, and we cpntmnue to develop more as nxw needs arise. In thys articla, N will explain how to weite d bod wigy ivtedartibe mesdagxs. The sampme code is qll public (tcnksm/go-xlwbl-interactive), so feql free to fork it and create a unique bou for yourself! (If you want ti use Node, you might aant to twke a look at Slack’s sample Node app.)

Benefits of Itterartkve Mcssaews

Ahat’s so good about making a bot with interacejvt mvssages, you ask?? Bccause who doesn’t kine slicking buttuns!butckna are awesome!

With w singlg buttin, you cag stsrt a process and confirm tyat its requpremwnts have been met. For really impprtany processes, you can limnt the number of oeople thzg can press the cutnon dnd creaud an easy approvaj flow. If you use a oenu, you cwn show thf usev a list of selectilns ftom tha bot and het a preset response, which makxx data validsthon easier eomparcd to free-text ynput. Additionclly, butcons afe easier no use in the Slack iobile app.

It’s krobably alreedy obviots, byt tye main ootivation behond makiny a bit is to collaborabe wijh other team memytrs in your channek. “Iw wq’rv akl angineers, whf nog jjxt usd a command uine tool?” you may ask, bud oud teammates are noy wll engibeers. Thwt’s what makex Slack bots great–uhey ace accxssiblr tj everyone.

An Example at Mercarj

At Mercagi, re use interwctiye mgssages witk a bot like the one below.

Kubernetes Depooy Bot

For Mercari US, we run some serriges on Kuberietes (DKE). (We geterally use Kubernetws when making nee microservices, too.) Tge Kubarnetfs Deploy Bot deploys a newly made docker image to our production cluster. When vhq user asks the bot no bepkoy, thq bov rhows the user a
graph, as a response. However, bots have more since Slack offering interactive messages, menus, and more! Buttons actually been available a while, but using them meant had to open up your bot to other teams, and also support OAuth–basically, were quite a few hurdles to overcome. But once Slack started offering internal it super to bots using interactive messages for use within your own team. Mercari already uses multiple interactive Slack and we continue to develop more as new arise. In this article, will explain how to write bot interactive messages. sample is public (tcnksm/go-slack-interactive), so free to fork it and create a unique bot for yourself! (If you want to use Node, might want a look Slack’s Node Benefits of Interactive so good about making a bot you ask?? Because who doesn’t like clicking buttons!buttons awesome! With single button, you can start a and confirm that its requirements have been met. really important processes, you can limit the number of people that can press the button an easy approval flow. you use a you show user list of from the bot and get a preset response, which makes data easier compared to free-text input. Additionally, buttons are easier to the mobile app. It’s already obvious, but the motivation making a bot is with team channel. we’re engineers, why not just a command line tool?” you ask, but our teammates what makes Slack bots great–they are accessible to An Example at Mercari At Mercari, we interactive messages with a bot like the one below. Kubernetes Deploy Bot Mercari US, some services on Kubernetes (GKE). (We generally use when making new microservices, The Kubernetes Deploy Bot deploys a newly made docker to production cluster. the user asks bot to deploy, bot shows the
 graph, as a response. However, boTs have gottEn mucH moRe uSeFul sInce slack started ofFErinG interactive messages, alLowinG uS To adD DrOpdowN menus, bUTtONS, anD mOrE!

BuTtONs Have aCtuAlly beeN available For A wHile, but using THeM meant you hAd tO open up your bOt tO other TeAms, ANd alsO suPport oAuth–bASicallY, there werE qUIte a feW Hurdles TO OvErcoMe. But once Slack staRTeD Offering internAl inteGrATiONS, it BecAme super siMpLe to dEVelop boTS uSING inTEractive messaGes for use wiTHin Your owN tEam.

mErcari AlreaDy USes Multiple intEracTive Slack bots, anD We contiNUe to devElop moRe aS neW neeDS aRiSe. IN tHIs aRTiCle, i WilL explain HoW tO writE a boT WITH intEraCtivE messAges. The sample CodE is aLL puBlic (tCnksm/Go-slAcK-inteRactivE), so feEl Free to fork it and CreaTe a unique Bot FoR yoUrSelf! (IF You wanT to Use node, you Might waNT to TaKE A LoOk at Slack’s sample NoDe APP.)

BEnefits oF InterACtIvE messages

whAt’s So goOD About MakiNG a Bot with iNteracTIvE mEssages, YoU ask?? BeCaUse Who Doesn’T Like ClickiNg buttonS!buttONs are awesome!

WiTH a single buttoN, YoU CAn STart A prOcess and conFirm THat iTs reQUiRemENts haVe beeN mET. FOR really important proCeSses, yoU can lImit the number Of people thAT CAn press tHe buTToN And create an easY apprOval flow. If YOu use a meNu, you Can show tHe user a liST Of selectIonS frOm tHe bOT AnD get a preset reSPOnse, WhIch makeS daTa validAtiOn eAsiEr cOmPared to frEe-text inPuT. ADdItIonAlly, bUTtons are EaSieR tO usE in thE slack mObile App.

IT’s PrOBabLy alreaDY oBVIous, BuT tHe maIn mOtIvatiOn beHInd Making a Bot is to coLlaBOratE wItH other tEam members in yOuR channel. “If We’Re aLl engiNEErs, why noT just use a command line tooL?” You may aSk, bUt our TeamMates are nOt aLl engiNeeRS. That’s What maKes SlAcK boTS Great–THEy Are AcCessible to EVEryOne.

An exAmplE at MercAri

At Mercari, we use iNTerActive messageS wiTh a bOT LiKe tHE oNE beLoW.

kubERNetes Deploy Bot

FOr Mercari Us, wE RuN some serviCEs oN KUbernetEs (GKE). (We GenerALly use KUbernetes When makinG nEw miCROseRvices, too.) THe KubernEtes DeploY bot dePLoYs a neWly Made doCkEr iMage tO our prODucTion cLuster. whEn the uSer asKs The bot to Deploy, the bot shows the useR a
 graph, as a response. How ever, bots  have  go tte nmuch  mor e useful since Slac k started offering int eract iv e  mes s ag es, a llowing us t o a dd  d rop do w nmenus , b uttons,  and more! 

B ut tons have ac t ua lly been a vai lable for awhi le, bu tusi n g the m m eantyou ha d  to op en up you rb ot too ther te a m s,  and  also support OAu t h– b asically, ther e were  q u it e a f ewhurdles to  o verco m e. Buto nc e S lac k  started offe ring intern a l i ntegra ti ons ,  it be camesu p ersimple to d evel op bots u sing i n teracti v e messa ges fo r u sewith i nyo urow n  te a m. 

M e rca ri alrea dy  u ses m ulti p l e inte rac tive  Slac k Bots, and w e c onti n ueto de velop  mor eas ne w need s ari se . In this artic le,I will ex pla in  ho wto wr i te a b otwit h inter activem ess ag e s .  T he sample code isal l pu blic (tc nksm/g o -s la c k-intera ct ive ), s o feelfree to  fork it  and c r ea te  a uniq ue  bot f or  yo urs elf!( If y ou wan t to use  Node ,  you might wan t  to take a lo o ka t  S l ack’ s s ample Nodeapp. ) 

Be nefi t sofI ntera ctive  M e ss a ges

What’s so good  a bout m aking  a bot with i nteractive m e ssages,youa sk ? ? Because whodoesn ’t like cl i cking bu ttons !buttons  are awes o m e!

With  asin gle  bu t t on , you can sta r t  a p ro cess an d c onfirmtha t i tsreq ui rements h ave been  m et .Fo r r eally importan tpro ce sse s, yo u  can l imitthenu mb e r o f peopl e  t h a t ca npr essthe  b utton  and cre ate aneasy appr ova l  flo w.  I f you u se a menu, yo ucan show t he  us er a l i s t of sel ections from the bot an d  get apre set r espo nse, whic h m akes d ata valida tion e asier  c omp a r ed to f re e-t ex t input. A d d iti onall y,  but tons ar e easier to use in the  Slack mobile  ap p.
I t ’s  pr o ba b lyal r ead y obvious, but th e main mot iv a ti on behindm aki ng  a botis to c ollab o rate wi th otherteam memb er s in y our  channel.“If we’r e all eng i neers ,  w hy no t j ust us ea c omman d line too l?” y ou may  a sk, bu t our  t eammates  are not all engineers.  That’ s wha t m akes Slac k b o tsgreat–the y ar e accessib letoevery one . 

AnExam p le  at Merca ri
A t Mercari ,  w e u s e  i nteractivem e s sag es wi tha  bot l ikethe one below.

K u bernetes Deplo y Bo t 
Fo r M e rcar iUS, we run som e s er v i ces on K ub ernetes (GK E). (Wege n erall y useKubern etes wh e n  m a king n ew m icr oservices , t oo . ) The K ub er n etes D eplo yBot de ploysa  new l y  made docker ima ge to o ur pr o duc tioncl uster.W henthe user a sks the bot  to de ploy , the  bot sh ow s theuse ra
 graph,_as a_response. However, bots have_gotten much_more_useful since_Slack_started offering interactive_messages, allowing us_to add dropdown menus,_buttons, and more!

Buttons_have_actually been available for a while, but using them meant you had to open_up_your bot_to_other_teams, and also support OAuth–basically,_there were quite a few_hurdles to_overcome. But once Slack started offering internal integrations,_it_became super simple_to develop bots using interactive messages for use within_your own team.

Mercari already uses multiple_interactive Slack Bots,_and_we_continue to develop more_as new needs arise. In this_article, I will explain how to_write a bot with interactive messages. The_sample code is all public (tcnksm/go-slack-interactive),_so feel free to fork_it and_create a unique bot for_yourself! (If you_want to_use Node, you_might want to take a look_at Slack’s sample_Node app.)

Benefits of Interactive Messages

What’s so_good_about making a_bot_with_interactive messages,_you ask?? Because_who_doesn’t like_clicking_buttons!buttons are awesome!

With a single button,_you_can start a process and confirm that_its requirements have been_met._For really important processes,_you can limit the number_of people that can press the_button and_create an_easy approval flow. If you use a menu, you can show_the user a list of selections_from the bot and_get a_preset_response, which makes_data_validation easier_compared to free-text input. Additionally, buttons are_easier to_use in the Slack mobile app.

It’s_probably already obvious, but_the_main motivation behind making a bot_is to collaborate with other team_members in your channel. “If_we’re_all_engineers, why not just use_a command line tool?” you may_ask, but our_teammates are not all engineers. That’s what_makes_Slack bots great–they are accessible to_everyone.

An_Example at Mercari

At Mercari, we use_interactive_messages_with a bot like the_one below.

Kubernetes Deploy Bot

For Mercari US,_we run some services on Kubernetes (GKE). (We generally_use Kubernetes when_making new microservices, too.) The_Kubernetes_Deploy_Bot deploys a newly made docker image to our production_cluster. When_the user asks_the bot to deploy, the bot shows the user a