# Slack
## Add @Dot to Slack
1. Click on Slack in [Settings](https://app.getdot.ai/settings)
2. Click on install
3. Select the channel, where you want @Dot to respond to user requests and confirm
4. Chat with @Dot
### Slack Data Handling
What Dot reads
* Only messages where it’s invoked (@Dot) and, by default, subsequent messages in that thread while Dot is active there.
* Dot does not read unrelated channel messages.
Private channels
* Adding Dot to a private channel does not grant it access to past history.
* Dot can only see messages where it’s invoked or within threads it’s participating in.
* Non-Dot messages remain invisible to Dot.
Direct messages (optional)
* DMs can be enabled by admins. These interactions are stored like channel interactions and are auditable.
Retention & admin audit
* We securely store only interactions involving Dot to provide context and auditability.
* Admins can review them in Admin Console → History.
* Workspace data deletion is available on request.
## Tips for talking with Dot
1. To start a new topic, begin a new thread with `@Dot` in a channel.
2. Follow-up questions in the same thread use the full thread as context — no need to tag `@Dot` again.
3. If Dot didn't get it right, just rephrase your question.
4. You can upload files (CSVs, spreadsheets) and Dot will analyze them.
5. Ask Dot to create charts, generate PowerPoint presentations, or schedule recurring reports.
### Next Steps
See [Channel Routing](/integrations/slack-and-teams/channel-routing.md) to route specific channels to different workspaces.
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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:
```
GET https://docs.getdot.ai/integrations/slack-and-teams/slack.md?ask=
```
The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.