Give your team a simple AI helper inside Slack. Users type a slash command and get an answer in the same channel within seconds. This is useful for internal support, FAQs, and quick guidance without leaving Slack.

A webhook receives the slash command payload and immediately returns a 204 code so Slack does not time out. A Switch node sorts requests by command, so you can handle different intents like ask or help with separate paths. The Basic LLM Chain sends the user’s text to an OpenAI chat model and builds a clear reply. The Slack node then posts the response back to the exact channel that sent the command, keeping the conversation in one place.

Setup is straightforward. Create a Slack app with the commands and chat write scopes, install it in your workspace, and map the slash command to the n8n webhook URL. Connect your OpenAI API key in n8n and pick the model. Teams usually cut answer time from minutes to seconds and reduce context switching. Ideal uses include support triage, policy lookups, and drafting quick responses for common questions.

• Webhook trigger accepts Slack slash command requests and returns 204 for fast acknowledgment
• Switch node routes different slash commands to their own logic paths
• Basic LLM Chain sends the command text to the OpenAI chat model for a clear reply
• OpenAI Chat Model uses the selected model to generate concise, useful answers
• Slack Send a Message posts the AI reply to the same channel from the original request

• Reduce response time from 5 minutes to under 15 seconds for simple questions
• Automate up to 70 percent of routine Q and A inside Slack channels
• Keep conversations in Slack to avoid app switching and copying text
• Scale across teams with multiple slash commands routed by one Switch
• Connect Slack and OpenAI without custom code or servers

1. Import the template into n8n: Create a new workflow in n8n > Click the three dots menu > Select 'Import from File' > Choose the downloaded JSON file.
2. You'll need accounts with Slack and OpenAI. See the Tools Required section above for links to create accounts with these services.
3. In the Slack API dashboard, create a Slack app for your workspace. Add the commands and chat:write scopes, then install the app to the workspace.
4. In Slack, create a slash command. Set the Request URL to the n8n Webhook node URL from this workflow and save the command.
5. In n8n Cloud, open the Slack Send a Message node. In the Credential to connect with dropdown, click Create new credential and follow the on screen steps to connect Slack.
6. In n8n Cloud, open the OpenAI Chat Model node. In the Credential to connect with dropdown, click Create new credential, paste your OpenAI API key from your OpenAI account API page, and save.
7. Open the Switch node and define rules for each slash command you plan to support, for example ask or help. Map each rule to the correct output.
8. In the Basic LLM Chain node, confirm the input text is set to the Slack payload text field so the model receives the user’s question.
9. Ensure the Webhook node response code is 204 so Slack receives a quick acknowledgment and does not show a timeout message.
10. Activate the workflow in n8n. In Slack, type your slash command followed by a test question and confirm a reply posts to the channel.
11. If no message appears, check the workflow execution logs in n8n, verify the slash command Request URL, and confirm the app has chat:write scope and is added to the channel.
12. Once confirmed, add more Switch branches for new commands and adjust the prompt in the Basic LLM Chain to match your support style.