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Configuration

This page covers the Slack Bot's choices and optional settings, beyond the required IDs covered in the Quickstart. The integration type is chosen when you create the integration; everything else can be changed at any time, and most of it lives under the collapsed Advanced configuration section of the integration form.

Integration type​

You have two options for deploying Kapa in Slack:

  • Global Workspace: Enable Kapa in an entire Slack workspace.
  • Single Channel: Enable Kapa in a single Slack channel at a time.

The Global Workspace integration lets you chat with Kapa in any channel you invite the Slack Bot to. It also lets you send direct messages (DMs) to the bot for private conversations.

When using the Global Workspace integration, be cautious with shared channels. Adding the Kapa bot to a shared channel allows all members of that channel, including external users, to interact with the bot and access connected knowledge sources. This is especially important for Slack Bots connected to internal projects.

With a Single Channel integration, Kapa can only respond in specific channels. You can create multiple Single Channel integrations and enable them individually to deploy Kapa to multiple channels without enabling it for an entire workspace.

Source groups​

Optionally scope the integration to only use knowledge from certain source groups. Global sources are always also included.

Forum mode​

The Enable forum auto-reply mode checkbox (off by default) controls whether Kapa auto-responds to all messages posted in a channel where it is deployed. When enabled, users do not have to tag the bot explicitly. We recommend it for dedicated help channels rather than Global Workspace integrations, where auto-replying in every channel is rarely what you want.

User tracking​

Two checkboxes control how the bot tracks users:

  • Track userID (on by default): tracks users anonymously based on a hashed version of their Slack ID.
  • Track user email (off by default): tracks users based on their email, which identifies them by name and consolidates their questions across workspaces and other platforms.

Message customization​

Every message the bot sends can be customized. Each text field offers Write and Preview tabs, and a Formatting tips button that explains Slack markup such as user mentions and links.

  • First reply: First reply text (shown before Kapa answers), First reply text (forum mode), and a Suppress first reply checkbox to skip the first reply entirely.
  • Conversation flow: Follow up reply text, Footer text (shown above the feedback buttons), and Final note text (shown after each response).
  • Other: Disable user feedback stops the bot from asking for feedback after answers, and PII error text is shown when personal identifiable information is detected in a question.

Direct messages (Global Workspace only)​

  • Allow users to IM kapa (on by default) lets users send the bot direct messages.
  • First reply text (IM) and Final note text (IM) customize the messages used in direct message conversations.

Using both integration types​

You can use both integration types in the same workspace. Single Channel integrations take priority over Global Workspace integrations if both exist. This means you can have a default configuration for all channels while using different settings in specific channels. The integration form warns about this when it detects active Single Channel configurations for the same workspace.