DocBase AI for Slack [EN]
## What Is DocBase AI for Slack
**Instantly search and summarize your DocBase knowledge from Slack. Resolve your team's questions in real time.**
DocBase AI for Slack seamlessly integrates your team's knowledge base into Slack conversations. For everyday questions like "Where was that document?" or "What were those specs again?", AI finds the right information from DocBase and responds instantly. You can also create and update memos directly from Slack, making it seamless to capture and use knowledge.
**Ask AI in a thread, and team members can join the conversation**
**Ask AI via DM**
## Why DocBase AI for Slack
### Reduce Time Spent Searching for Information
Just ask "Where was that written?" in Slack, and AI will search DocBase for relevant memos and provide answers. No need to open a browser and navigate to DocBase. **Dramatically reduce the time your team spends searching for information.**
### Share While Respecting Permissions
The viewing permissions and group settings configured in DocBase are fully respected in Slack as well. **Each member can only view memos they have access to**, ensuring secure management of confidential information.
### Accelerate Knowledge Circulation
Save discussions and decisions from Slack as DocBase memos on the spot. Important conversations you meant to "organize later" but forgot about can easily be captured as knowledge. **This creates a natural cycle of knowledge sharing and reuse across the team.**
## Key Features
### Search and Organize DocBase Memos
Simply talk to DocBase AI for Slack to instantly find the information you need from a vast collection of documents.
- **Instant search from within Slack**
- Just say "Tell me about ○○" to search for relevant memos. No need to switch browsers.
- **Analyze multiple memos at once**
- Extract key points from multiple long memos for analysis. Consolidate scattered information for better understanding.
- **Results based on permissions**
- Only memos you have access to are displayed. Information outside your permissions is never shown.
### Create, Edit, and Delete Memos
[ 追記.mp4](https://docbase.io/file_attachments/f3536590-aed5-479f-8a5f-61e59ff8dadb.mp4)
Update DocBase information without interrupting the flow of your Slack conversations.
- **Create memos directly from Slack**
- Say "Create a to-do list memo" to publish a new memo. Create meeting notes and work memos on the spot.
- **Update existing memos**
- Say "Append ○○ to this memo" to edit a memo. Keep information up to date, all from Slack.
- **Add comments**
- Say "Comment on the memo at this URL" to leave feedback. Reviews and questions flow smoothly.
- **Delete memos**
- Remove memos that are no longer needed. Scope settings can be configured to disallow deletion, so you can rest assured.
- **Confirmation before execution**
- All DocBase operations can be reviewed before execution, so you can rest assured. This prevents accidental operations.
### Turn Slack Threads into Knowledge
Preserve important Slack discussions as DocBase assets.
Structure long threads into DocBase memos. No more "Where was that discussion again?"
#### Demo Video
[ Built-in Retina Display.mp4](https://docbase.io/file_attachments/771c0408-d04d-45a1-b633-35366daa4ded.mp4)
### Web Search Integration
In addition to information within DocBase, relevant information can also be retrieved from web searches as needed. More comprehensive answers are possible by combining internal knowledge with the latest external information.
### Slack Slash Commands
| Command | Description |
| --- | --- |
| /docbase-setup | Updates the integration status with DocBase |
| /docbase-tools | Configures DocBase tool settings |
## Setup
Getting started with DocBase AI for Slack is easy and takes just a few minutes.
Before setting up, it helps to understand the overall group configuration.
### How Group Settings Work
DocBase AI for Slack uses **3 tiers of group settings** to progressively narrow access to information.
The groups available at each tier are limited to the scope permitted by the previous tier.
#### ① AI function settings (Set by Admins)
From "AI function settings" in the DocBase admin panel, select the **groups permitted to send data to AI**.
Memos belonging to groups not permitted here can't be used by any AI feature (DocBase AI, DocBase AI for Slack, or external AI app integrations).
⬇ From the groups permitted in ①
#### ② Channel Settings (Set by Admins)
For each Slack channel, configure the **available groups and scopes (read, create, update, delete)**.
For example, "#dev-team" can be limited to development groups only, while "#general" can be limited to company-wide shared groups.
⬇ Among the groups permitted in ②, filtered to groups the user has access to
#### ③ Target Group Selection (Set by Users)
Each user selects their **target groups** during authentication.
The options shown are only the groups permitted for the channel in ②, **limited to those the user actually has access to on DocBase**.
**Example: If "DocBase" and "DocBase Marketing" are permitted for the #dev-team channel**
| User | Groups on DocBase | Selectable Groups |
| --- | --- | --- |
| User A | DocBase, DocBase Marketing | DocBase, DocBase Marketing (both selectable) |
| User B | DocBase only | DocBase only (Marketing isn't shown) |
**Key Point**: Information from groups not permitted by admins or groups the user doesn't belong to is never sent to AI.
### 1. Add the App to Slack
Open AI function settings → DocBase AI for Slack admin panel.
From the **Workspace & Channel Settings** tab, click **Add Workspace** to connect your workspace.
※ This operation is available to admins only.
### 2. Invite @docbase to a Channel
To use DocBase AI for Slack in a channel, invite it as a member.
Run `/invite @docbase` in the desired channel.
**Private channels must be invited in advance** to appear in the DocBase admin panel.
### 3. Add a Channel
> This step corresponds to **②** in the "How Group Settings Work" section above.
Configure the available groups and scopes (read, create, update, delete) for each Slack channel.
**Only groups with AI usage permitted in "AI function settings" can be selected here.**
Assign only the necessary groups according to each channel's purpose.
For example, the "#dev-team" channel can have development groups only, while the "#general" channel can have company-wide shared groups only.
### 4. Authenticate in the Configured Channel
> This step corresponds to **③** in the "How Group Settings Work" section above.
From Slack, type `@docbase` to initiate authentication. (Or use `/docbase-setup`)
Click `Connect` to proceed with authentication.
**Authentication is performed per user, and your DocBase permissions are inherited.**
※ The "Target Groups" you select here are the groups you want to work with in this channel.
Only groups meeting **all of the following conditions** are shown as options:
- AI usage is permitted in "AI function settings"
- Usage is permitted in this channel's settings
- **You have access to the group on DocBase**
### 5. Ask Questions and Perform Operations in Channels or DMs
Once installed, try talking to it like this:
- **"Tell me about project management"** – Searches and summarizes relevant memos
- **"Create a new meeting notes memo"** – Create a new memo directly from Slack
- **"Search for memos written by Tanaka-san"** – Search for memos by a specific author
- **"Add a supplement to this memo"** – Update an existing memo
### 6. Turn Slack Threads into Knowledge
To summarize a Slack thread and save it as a DocBase memo, use **message shortcuts**.
1. Hover over the starting message of the thread you want to convert, and click the **"..." (More) button** (or right-click the message)
2. Select **"Connect to app"** from the menu
3. Select **"スレッドをDocBaseに投稿"** (Post thread to DocBase) from the app list
4. The thread content is summarized and structured by AI, then published as a DocBase memo
## Security and Control
Operate in line with your organization's security policies.
### Permission-Based Access Control
Memos that can't be viewed in DocBase aren't displayed in Slack either. Each user's permission settings are automatically applied, minimizing the risk of information leaks.
### Control What Data Is Sent to AI
#### Memo-Level Restriction with `no-ai` Tag
Use the `no-ai` tag to restrict AI usage on a per-memo basis. You can exclude specific memos from AI search and summarization, giving you control over the handling of confidential information.
#### Group-Level Restriction
Admins can specify which groups are permitted to send data to AI from "AI function settings" in the DocBase admin panel.
This setting applies uniformly to DocBase AI, DocBase AI for Slack, and external AI app integrations.
Memos belonging to non-permitted groups are excluded from search and summarization across all AI features.
For memos belonging to multiple groups, AI features are disabled if even one non-permitted group is included.
DocBase AI for Slack further allows narrowing groups at the channel and user level, enabling fine-grained access control. (For details, see "[How Group Settings Work](#how-group-settings-work)" in the "Setup" section.)
### Individual Authentication
Each user authenticates with their own DocBase account. This makes it clear who accessed which information, preventing unauthorized access through shared accounts.
### Fine-Grained Permission Management
Admins can individually manage DocBase groups and scopes (read, create, update, delete). Flexible operations are possible according to team composition and roles.
### Organization-Level Management
Centrally manage the enablement scope and restrictions from the DocBase admin panel. Monitor Slack App usage and maintain appropriate control.
### Encrypted Token Management
Access credentials are securely stored with AWS KMS. Industry-standard security measures are in place to protect authentication information.
## FAQ
### Is a DocBase account required?
Yes. To use DocBase AI for Slack, access to an active DocBase team is required. Appropriate permission management is achieved through each user individually authenticating with their DocBase account.
### Are memos tagged with `no-ai` really not sent to AI?
They're not sent. Memos tagged with `no-ai` are completely excluded from search and summarization. You can safely manage highly confidential information and content you don't want AI to process.
### Can I exclude only specific groups' memos from AI?
Yes. Team admins can select which groups are permitted to send data to AI from "AI function settings" in the DocBase admin panel. Memos belonging to non-permitted groups are excluded from search and summarization in DocBase AI for Slack. If a memo belongs to multiple groups, AI features are disabled if even one non-permitted group is included.
### There are multiple group settings — what's the difference?
DocBase AI for Slack manages groups in 3 tiers.
First, admins determine which groups are permitted for AI usage in "AI function settings" (common across all AI features). Next, the available groups are narrowed per channel. Finally, each user selects their target groups during authentication.
Since each tier only allows selection from within the scope of the previous tier, groups not intended by the admin are never sent to AI. Additionally, the groups each user can select are limited to those they have access to on DocBase, preventing access to information in groups they don't belong to.
For details, see "[How Group Settings Work](#how-group-settings-work)" in the "Setup" section.
### What Slack permissions are required?
Only the minimum permissions necessary for reading messages and interacting with the app are requested. Specifically, these include sending and receiving messages in channels and DMs, and reading basic user information. Details can be confirmed in the permission approval screen during installation.
### Is there a cost?
**The thread summarization feature** is free. However, using all features of DocBase AI for Slack requires an additional add-on. Please refer to DocBase's pricing plans for details.
### How accurate are AI-generated answers?
AI generates answers based on existing DocBase memos, but might include inaccurate or outdated information. For information related to important decision-making or content requiring accuracy, always verify with the original memos. Please use AI as a tool to facilitate access to information.
### Can I search for information outside DocBase?
Yes. DocBase AI for Slack can retrieve related information from web searches in addition to DocBase memos. Answers display "Source (DocBase)" and "Source (Web)" separately, so you can clearly identify the source of information.
### What languages are supported?
Currently, Japanese and English are supported. Whether your DocBase memos are written in Japanese or English, they can be properly searched and summarized.
### Does every team member need to use it?
No. Each team member can start using it individually as needed. Only members who want to use it need to authenticate with their DocBase account to get started.
## Support & Links
If you have any questions, please use the following resources.
- **[Help Center](https://help.docbase.io)** – Guides for usage and troubleshooting
- **[Privacy Policy](https://docbase.io/privacy)** – Detailed information on data handling
**Take your team's knowledge utilization to the next level with DocBase AI for Slack**