scli

A terminal-based Slack client that operates as a user (not a bot). Read channels, send messages, search, and manage DMs — all without leaving your terminal.

Features

• Read channel and DM messages with thread expansion
• Post messages and reply to threads (supports \n for newlines)
• Post Block Kit messages from JSON (file, stdin, or inline)
• Upload files to channels
• List unread channels and DMs
• Search messages across the workspace
• Multiple workspace support
• Color output with --json and --no-color flags
• Token storage via OS keychain, environment variables, or .env files

Installation

Build from source

git clone https://github.com/nlink-jp/scli.git
cd scli
make build          # builds for the current platform → dist/scli
make build-all      # cross-compiles for all target platforms

Requirements: Go 1.26+, make

First-time setup

See docs/setup.md for step-by-step instructions on creating a Slack app and authenticating.

scli auth login

Commands

Command	Description
scli auth login	Authenticate with Slack (OAuth 2.0 PKCE)
scli auth logout	Remove stored credentials
scli auth list	Show authenticated workspaces
scli channel list	List all visible channels (public and private)
scli channel joined	List channels you are a member of
scli channel read <channel>	Read messages from a channel
scli channel export <channel>	Export channel history to JSON (format)
scli dm list	List open DM conversations
scli dm read <user>	Read DM messages
scli dm send <user> [message]	Send a direct message (supports Block Kit)
scli post <channel> [message]	Post a message to a channel
scli search <query>	Search messages in the workspace
scli unread	Show channels and DMs with unread messages
scli user list	List workspace members
scli workspace list	List configured workspaces
scli workspace use <name>	Switch default workspace
scli workspace rename <old> <new>	Rename a workspace (config + keychain + cache)

Common flags

--workspace, -w   Workspace name (default: "default")
--json            Output raw JSON
--no-color        Disable ANSI color codes

channel read / dm read options

-n, --limit N     Number of messages to fetch (default: 20)
--unread          Show only messages since last read
--thread <ts>     Show a specific thread by message timestamp

post options

--file <path>         Attach a file (message optional; combinable with --thread)
--thread <ts>         Reply in a thread
--blocks <json>       Block Kit JSON array (inline string)
--blocks-file <path>  Block Kit JSON from a file ("-" reads from stdin)

When --blocks or --blocks-file is used, [message] becomes the notification fallback text and may be omitted. The two flags are mutually exclusive.

dm send options

--blocks <json>       Block Kit JSON array (inline string)
--blocks-file <path>  Block Kit JSON from a file ("-" reads from stdin)

Same behavior as post — message is optional when blocks are provided.

Block Kit examples

# Inline JSON
scli post '#general' 'Hello' --blocks '[{"type":"section","text":{"type":"mrkdwn","text":"*Hello*"}}]'

# From a file
scli post '#general' 'Hello' --blocks-file blocks.json

# From stdin (e.g. piped from md-to-slack)
md-to-slack input.md | scli post '#general' 'Hello' --blocks-file -

# Without fallback text (blocks only)
md-to-slack input.md | scli post '#general' --blocks-file -

Capturing the message timestamp

post and dm send output {"ts":"...","channel":"..."} with --json:

# Capture ts for thread reply or file attachment
TS=$(scli post '#ops' 'alert' --json | jq -r .ts)
scli post '#ops' 'details here' --thread "$TS"

search options

-n, --limit N     Maximum number of results (default: 20)
--asc             Sort results oldest first (default: newest first)

Multiple workspaces

scli auth login --workspace personal
scli auth login --workspace work
scli workspace use work
scli channel read #general --workspace personal

Renaming a workspace

scli workspace rename personal my-personal

Warning: Do not rename workspaces by editing config.json directly. The authentication token is stored in the OS keychain under the workspace name. If you change the name in the config file without updating the keychain, scli will be unable to find the token and authentication will break. Always use scli workspace rename to keep config, keychain, and cache in sync.

License

MIT — see LICENSE