Welcome back! April was packed with AI enhancements and major news for developers. May continued that strategic theme with one of the biggest announcements of the year: a complete evolution of how developers and partners can securely interact with Slack data.
Alongside that, we saw fantastic new features for organization, accessibility, and AI collaboration. Let’s get into the top updates from May!
A New Era for Secure Data & AI
Secure Data Connectivity for the Modern AI Era
This month, Slack unveiled new capabilities that redefine how developers, customers, and partners securely interact with Slack data, laying the foundation for the next generation of intelligent, contextual AI experiences.
1. Slack Adopts the Model Context Protocol (MCP) In collaboration with Anthropic, Slack will support the Model Context Protocol (MCP), which will be broadly available this summer. This empowers enterprises to build modular and secure AI workflows that seamlessly integrate with their preferred LLMs and agent platforms. For users, this means AI apps and agents can have richer, real-time context from Slack conversations and files to provide more accurate results.
2. Introducing the Real-time Search API A cornerstone of this new strategy, the Real-time Search API will allow approved partners to retrieve exactly the data they need from Slack in real time, without needing to duplicate or move data between systems. This enables powerful, secure AI use cases like federated search and deep research while keeping customer data protected. The API is currently in a closed beta and is planned to launch more broadly this summer.
3. Important Updates to API Terms of Service & Rate Limits To reinforce security and transparency, Slack is updating its API Terms of Service. Here are the key clarifications:
- Commercial Distribution: The Slack Marketplace is confirmed as the only appropriate channel for commercially distributing apps built with Slack APIs.
- Data Usage Restrictions: Safeguards around how data from Slack APIs can be stored, used, and shared are being reinforced.
- Rate Limit Changes: To prevent bulk data exfiltration by unvetted third-party apps, rate limits for the
conversations.historyandconversations.repliesmethods will be reduced for apps distributed outside the Slack Marketplace. Apps published in the Marketplace and existing internal apps built before May 29, 2025, will keep their current, higher rate limits.
AI Updates
Work with agents in channels
Work with Agentforce Agents in Channels You can now add Agentforce agents directly to channels to have them participate in conversations just like teammates. Simply @mention an agent in a channel to get their attention and prompt them to answer.
- Note: Agents use your existing Slack and Salesforce permissions and will never reply with information you don’t have access to.
General User Experience
Create Folders for Files and Links You can now organize important resources in any channel or DM by adding a folder to the conversation header. You can add up to 100 canvases, lists, files, and links to a folder, making it easier than ever to keep track of key information.
Simplified Layout for a Focused Experience Optimized for single-tasking and assistive technologies like screen readers, a new Simplified Layout is now available. This streamlined interface reduces distractions for a simpler experience. Head to Preferences > Accessibility to turn it on.
Quick Hits:
- You can now bulk-leave channels from the sidebar’s edit mode.
- You can subscribe to slack-status.com to receive live Slack incident updates directly via email.
Canvas Updates
Canvas Read-Time is Rolling Out A small but impactful feature is now rolling out: Canvases will show an approximate read-time, helping you decide whether to dive into a document immediately or save it for later.
Co-ownership for Canvases and Lists You can now make other users co-owners of a canvas or list. This is perfect if you want to share ownership responsibilities. Unlike editors, co-owners can share a file that has restricted sharing, respond to access requests, and delete a file that’s been shared with them.
Salesforce & Slack
Unifying Identity Across Trailhead and Slack Sandboxes
Say hello to a unified identity between Salesforce Trailhead and the Slack Developer Sandbox! Trailhead users are now seamlessly and automatically provisioned with a Slack Developer Program account and sandbox. This means no extra logins and a frictionless path to hands-on Slack challenges directly in the Slack Playground.
Workflow Builder
Manage Workflow Usage in Slack Connect (Enterprise Grid) Admins can now set global and per-connection policies to allow or disallow the use of workflows containing third-party connectors in Slack Connect conversations.
Workflow Access Management Update When a workflow is added to a channel, Slack will now verify that channel members have the required permissions. If not, you will be prompted to update the workflow’s permissions, ensuring consistent access for all channel participants.
Community Tip
Create a Slack Theme Database with Lists!
A community member shared a brilliant use case for Lists: creating a theme database! You know how dropping four hex codes in a message gives you an “Apply Slack Theme” button? You can organize sets of these hex codes in a List. The “Apply” button even works on hover when the list is a channel tab. It’s a fantastic way to share themes with your team!
Subscribe to incident email updates
You can now subscribe to receive live Slack incident updates directly via email.
For Developers
New Bolt for JavaScript Version (v4.3.0) This exciting update includes several dependency bumps to resolve security vulnerabilities and a few fixes to improve the developer experience. You can find the release notes and the package on NPM.
Slack CLI Updates (v3.2.0 & v3.1.0) Two new versions of the Slack CLI tools have been released, bringing useful updates:
- You can now run
slack app settingsto open a link to your app’s configuration page. - The
slack feedbackcommand has been improved to make it easier to submit issues or suggest features via GitHub. - Several bugs have been fixed to improve console output and command reliability.
Wrapping Up May
And that’s a wrap for May! It was a landmark month focused on building a more secure and powerful data ecosystem for the AI era, while also delivering fantastic quality-of-life improvements for everyone.
I hope this overview helps you understand these important strategic shifts and new features. I’m already looking forward to what June has in store and will see you back here in early July for the next roundup!
No Comment! Be the first one.