Error troubleshooting

Developing automations requires a paid plan. Don't have one? Join the Developer Program and provision a sandbox with access to all Slack features for free.

Troubleshooting errors can be tricky between your development environment, the Slack CLI, and those encountered when running your code. Below are some common ones, as well as a list of the errors the Slack CLI may raise, what they mean, and some ways to remediate them.

VSCode and the Deno plugin

If you are using VSCode with the Deno plugin and you run into an error where Deno isn't being honored properly by VSCode, this is because by default, VSCode treats the folder that's opened as the workspace root. If you open a parent folder, the .vscode/settings.json file must be moved to the root of THAT folder. This is because VSCode requires that deno.enable: true is set in that .vscode/settings.json file, and VSCode only honors this setting if it's in the root of the project.

Other common errors you may run into are static errors when the opening a parent directory that contains one or many apps inside. These include:

  • An import path cannot end with a '.ts' extension. Consider importing './workflows/greeting_workflow.js' instead.
    • This error is due to Deno not being set up correctly.
  • Relative import path "deno-slack-sdk/mod.ts" not prefixed with / or ./ or ../deno(import-prefix-missing).
    • This error is due to an invalid import map.

These errors occur because of that first one we covered — by default, VSCode treats the folder that’s opened as the workspace root; however, the .vscode/settings.json file and deno.jsonc file rely on being in the workspace root. To resolve this, open the app folder directly, or set up your own workspace config in VSCode.

Slack CLI error list

access_denied

You don't have the permission to access the specified resource

Check with your Slack Workspace Admin to make sure that you have permission to access the resource.


add_app_to_project_error

Couldn't save your app's info to this project


already_logged_out

You're already logged out


already_resolved

The app already has a resolution and cannot be requested


apps_list_error

Couldn't get a list of your apps


app_add_error

Couldn't create a new app


app_approval_request_denied

This app is currently denied for installation

Reach out to one of your App Managers for additional information, or you can try requesting again with different scopes and outgoing domains.


app_approval_request_eligible

This app requires permissions that must be reviewed by an App Manager before you can install it


app_approval_request_pending

This app is currently waiting for App Manager approval

Reach out to one of your App Managers for additional information.


app_create_error

Couldn't create your app


app_delete_error

Couldn't delete your app


app_deploy_error

Couldn't deploy your app


app_deploy_errorNotSlackHosted

Deployment to Slack is currently supported for apps written with the Deno Slack SDK.


app_directory_access_error

Couldn't access app directory


app_dir_only_fail

The app does was neither in the app directory nor created on this team/org, and cannot be requested


app_flag_required

The --app flag must be provided

Choose a specific app with --app <app_id>


app_install_error

Couldn't install your app to a workspace


app_manifest_access_error

Couldn't access your app manifest


app_manifest_create_error

Couldn't create your app manifest


app_manifest_generate_error

Couldn't generate an app manifest from this project

Check to make sure you are in a valid Slack project directory and that your project has no compilation errors.


app_manifest_validate_error

Your app manifest is invalid


app_not_eligible

The specified app is not eligible for this API


app_not_installed

The provided app must be installed on this team


app_not_found

The app was not found


app_not_hosted

The app is not configured to be deployed to the Slack platform

To configure an app to be deployed to the Slack platform, you can set the app manifest property "settings.function_runtime" = "slack".


app_remove_error

Couldn't remove your app


app_rename_app

Couldn't rename your app


auth_prod_token_not_found

Couldn't find a valid auth token for the Slack API

You need to be logged in to at least one production (slack.com) workspace to use this command. Log in to one with the slack login command and try again.


auth_timeout_error

Couldn't receive authorization in the time allowed

Ensure you have pasted the command in a Slack workspace and accepted the permissions.


auth_token_error

Couldn't get a token with an active session


cannot_abandon_app

The last owner cannot be removed


cannot_add_owner

Unable to add the given user as owner


cannot_count_owners

Unable to retrieve current app collaborators


auth_verification_error

Couldn't verify your authorization


bot_invite_required

Your app must be invited to the channel

Try to find the channel declared the source code of a workflow or function.

Open Slack, join the channel, invite your app, and try the command again. Learn more.


cannot_delete_app

Unable to delete app


cannot_list_collaborators

Calling user is unable to list collaborators


cannot_list_owners

Calling user is unable to list owners


cannot_remove_collaborators

User is unable to remove collaborators


cannot_remove_owner

Unable to remove the given user


cannot_revoke_org_bot_token

Revoking org-level bot token is not supported


channel_not_found

Couldn't find the specified Slack channel

Try adding your app as a member to the channel.


cli_autoupdate_error

Couldn't auto-update this command-line tool

You can manually install the latest version from here.


cli_config_location_error

.slack/cli.json is not supported by this version of the CLI

You're using a version of the CLI that is not compatible with your project. This version of the CLI requires a slack.json file in the root directory of the project. Create a new project with this version of the CLI using slack create and migrate your code.


cli_read_error

There was an error reading configuration

Check your config.json file.


cli_config_invalid

Configuration invalid

Check your config.json file.


cli_update_required

Slack API requires the latest version of the Slack CLI

You can upgrade to the latest version of the Slack CLI using the command: slack upgrade.


connected_org_denied

The Workspace Admin does not allow connected organizations to be named_entities


comment_required

Your App Manager is requesting a reason to approve installation of this app


connected_team_denied

The Workspace Admin does not allow connected teams to be named_entities


credentials_not_found

No authentication found for this team

Use the command slack login to login to this workspace


customizable_input_missing_matching_workflow_input

Customizable input on the trigger must map to a workflow input of the same name


customizable_inputs_not_allowed_on_optional_inputs

Customizable trigger inputs must map to required workflow inputs


Customizable inputs are only allowed on link triggers


customizable_input_unsupported_type

Customizable input has been mapped to a workflow input of an unsupported type. Only UserID, ChannelId, and String are supported for customizable inputs


default_app_access_error

Couldn't access the default app


default_app_setting_error

Couldn't set this app as the default


deno_not_found

Couldn't find the 'deno' language runtime installed on this system

To install Deno, visit https://deno.land/#installation.


deno_version_not_supported

The installed version of Deno is unsupported


deployed_app_not_supported

A deployed app cannot be used by this command


env_not_found

No environment variables associated with this workspace


enterprise_not_found

The enterprise was not found


failed_adding_collaborator

Failed writing a collaborator record for this new app


failed_creating_app

Failed to create the app model


failed_export

Couldn't export the app manifest


failed_for_some_requests

At least one request was not canceled


failed_to_get_user

Couldn't find the user to install the app


failed_to_save_extension_logs

Couldn't save the logs


fail_to_get_teams_for_restricted_user

Failed to get teams for restricted user


file_rejected

Not an acceptable S3 file


forbidden_team

The authenticated team cannot use this API


free_team_not_allowed

Free workspaces do not support the Slack platform's low-code automation for workflows and functions.

You can install this app if you upgrade your workspace to a paid plan.


function_belongs_to_another_app

The provided function_id does not belong to this app_id


function_not_found

The specified function couldn't be found


git_not_found

Couldn't find Git installed on this system

To install Git, visit https://github.com/git-guides/install-git.


git_clone_error

Git failed to clone repository


git_zip_download_error

Cannot download Git repository as a .zip archive


home_directory_access_failed

Failed to read/create .slack/ directory in your home directory

A Slack directory is required for retrieving/storing auth credentials and config data. Check permissions on your system.


hosted_apps_disallow_user_scopes

Hosted apps do not support user scopes


http_request_failed

HTTP request failed


http_response_invalid

Received an invalid response from the server


insecure_request

The method was not called via a POST request


installation_denied

Couldn't install the app because the installation request was denied

Reach out to one of your App Managers for additional information.


installation_failed

Couldn't install the app


installation_required

A valid installation of this app is required to take this action

Install the app to a workspace with slack install.


internal_error

An internal error has occurred with the Slack platform

Please reach out to feedback@slack.com if the problem persists.


invalid_app

Either the app does not exist or an app created from the provided manifest would not be valid


invalid_appDirectory

This is an invalid Slack app directory

A valid Slack app directory requires a Slack Configuration file (slack.json).


invalid_appFlag

The provided --app flag value is not valid

Specify the environment with --app local or --app deployed Or choose a specific app with --app <app_id>


invalid_appId

App ID is invalid for this user account and workspace

Check to make sure you are signed into the correct workspace for this app.


invalid_args

Required arguments either were not provided or contain invalid values


invalid_arguments_customizable_inputs

A trigger input parameter with customizable: true cannot be set as hidden or locked, nor have a value provided at trigger creation time


invalid_arguments

Slack API request parameters are invalid


invalid_auth

Your user account authorization isn't valid

Your user account authorization may be expired or does not have permission to access the resource. Try to login to the same user account again using slack login.


invalid_challenge

The challenge code is invalid

The previous slash command and challenge code have now expired. To retry, use slack login, paste the slash command in any Slack channel, and enter the challenge code displayed by Slack. It is easiest to copy & paste the challenge code.


invalid_channel_id

Channel ID specified doesn't exist or you do not have permissions to access it

Channel ID appears to be formatted correctly. Check if this channel exists on the current workspace and you have permissions to access it.


invalid_cursor

Value passed for cursor was not valid or is valid no longer


invalid_permission_type

This function requires permission_type to be set as named_entities before adding users


invalid_interactive_trigger_inputs

One or more input parameter types isn't supported by the link trigger type


invalid_interactivity_pointer

Interactivity at current step needs to be mapped to an interactivity in the step directly previous to the current step's output. This error is thrown to ensure a function is not allowed to use an interactivity input to open a view that is not directly tied to some interaction that the user takes.


invalid_manifest

The provided manifest file does not validate against schema. Consult the additional errors field to locate specific issues


invalid_parameters

slack_cli_version supplied is invalid


invalid_permission_type

This trigger requires permission_type to be set as named_entities before adding users


invalid_refresh_token

The given refresh token is invalid.


invalid_request_id

The request_id passed is invalid


invalid_resource_id

The resource_id for the given resource_type is invalid


invalid_resource_type

The resource_type argument is invalid.


invalid_s3_key

An internal error occurred with the Slack platform

Please reach out to feedback@slack.com if the problem persists.


invalid_scopes

Some of the provided scopes do not exist


invalid_slack_project_directory

Current directory is not a Slack project

Change in to a Slack project directory. A Slack project always includes the Slack Configuration file (slack.json).


invalid_datastore

Invalid datastore specified in your project


invalid_datastore_expression

The provided expression is not valid

Verify the expression you provided is valid JSON surrounded by quotations.


invalid_token

The provided token is not valid


invalid_trigger

Invalid trigger specified in your project


invalid_triggerAccess

Trigger access can not be configured for more than 10 users


invalid_triggerConfig

The provided trigger object does not conform to the trigger type's schema


invalid_triggerEventType

The provided event type is not allowed


invalid_triggerInputs

Required inputs for the referenced function/workflow are not passed


invalid_triggerType

The provided trigger type is not recognized


invalid_user_id

A value passed as a user_id is invalid


invalid_webhook_config

Only one of schema or schema_ref should be provided


invalid_webhook_schema_ref

Unable to parse the schema ref


invalid_workflow_app_id

A value passed as workflow_app_id is invalid or missing


invalid_workflow_id

A value passed as a workflow ID is invalid


is_restricted

Restricted users cannot request


local_app_not_found

Couldn't find the local app


local_app_not_supported

A local app cannot be used by this command


local_app_removal_error

Couldn't remove local app


local_app_run_error

Couldn't run app locally


method_not_supported

This API method is not supported


missing_app_id

workflow_app_id is required to update via workflow reference


missing_challenge

Challenge must be supplied


missing_function_identifier

Could not find the given workflow using the specified reference


missing_scope

Your login is out of date

Run slack logout and then slack login again.


missing_scopes

Additional scopes are required to create this type of trigger


missing_user

The user was not found


missing_value

Missing value property on an input. You must either provide the value now or mark this input as customizable: true and provide the value at the time the trigger is executed.


not_authed

You are either not logged in or your login session has expired


not_bearer_token

Incompatible token type provided


not_found

Coudn't find row


no_file

Couldn't upload your bundled code to server

Please try again.


no_pending_request

Pending request not found


no_permission

You're not a collaborator on this app or you do not have permissions to perform this action

Contact the app owner to add you as a collaborator.


no_tokens_found

No tokens found to delete


no_valid_named_entities

None of the provided named entities were valid


os_not_supported

This operating system is not supported


over_resource_limit

Workspace exceeded the maximum number of functions and/or app datastores


parameter_validation_failed

There were problems when validating the inputs against the function parameters. See API response for more details


project_compilation_error

An error occurred while compiling your code


project_file_update_error

Failed to update project files


provider_not_found

The provided provider_key is invalid


prompt_error

An error occurred while executing prompts


published_app_only

This action is only permitted for published app IDs


request_id_or_app_id_is_required

Must include a request_id or app_id


ratelimited

Too many calls in succession to create endpoint during a short period of time


runtime_not_supported

The SDK language's executable (deno, node, python, etc) was not found to be installed on the system


sample_create_error

Couldn't create app from sample


service_limits_exceeded

Your workspace has exhausted the 10 apps limit for free teams. To create more apps, upgrade your Slack plan.


shared_channel_denied

The Workspace Admin does not allow shared channels to be named_entities


sdk_config_load_error

There was an error while reading the Slack Configuration file (slack.json) or running the get-hooks hook

Run slack doctor to check that your system dependencies are up-to-date.


sdk_hook_invocation_failed

A script hook defined in the Slack Configuration file (slack.json) returned an error

Run slack doctor to check that your system dependencies are up-to-date.


sdk_hook_not_found

A script in slack.json was not found

Every app requires a slack.json file. Most apps do not need to modify the file; you can find a working example here. Ensure that deno-slack-hooks is installed at the project level and that the version is not less than v1.3.0.


sdk_hook_get_trigger_not_found

The get-trigger script/hook in slack.json was not found

Try defining your trigger by specifying a .json file instead.


slack_auth_error

You are not logged in to a workspace or have not installed an app

Use the command slack login to login and slack install to install your app.


slack_json_location_error

Missing a Slack Configuration file (slack.json) in the project's root directory

You're using a version of the CLI that is not compatible with your project. This version of the CLI requires a slack.json file in the root directory of the project. Create a new project with this version of the CLI using slack create and migrate your code.


socket_connection_error

Couldn't connect to Slack over WebSocket


scopes_exceed_app_config

Scopes requested exceed app configuration


system_requirements_failed

Couldn't verify all system requirements


datastore_error

An error occurred while accessing your datastore


team_access_not_granted

Team access not granted (generated)


team_not_connected

One or more of the listed teams was not connected by org


team_not_found

One or more of the listed teams could not be found


team_not_on_enterprise

Cannot query team by domain because team is not on an enterprise


team_quota_exceeded

Total number of requests exceeded team quota


org_not_connected

One or more of the listed organizations was not connected


org_not_found

One or more of the listed organizations could not be found


token_expired

Your access token has expired

Use the command slack login to authenticate again.


token_revoked

Your token has already been revoked

Use the command slack login to authenticate again.


token_rotation_error

An error occurred while rotating your access token

Use the command slack login to authenticate again.


too_many_customizable_inputs

Cannot have more than 10 customizable inputs


too_many_ids_provided

Ensure you provide only app_id OR request_id


too_many_named_entities

Too many named entities passed into the trigger permissions setting


trigger_create_error

Couldn't create a trigger


trigger_delete_error

Couldn't delete a trigger


trigger_does_not_exist

The trigger provided does not exist


trigger_not_found

The specified trigger cannot be found


trigger_update_error

Couldn't update a trigger


unable_to_delete

There was an error deleting tokens


unable_to_open_file

Error with file upload


unable_to_parse_json

<json> Couldn't be parsed as a json object


uninstall_halted

The uninstall process was interrupted


unknown_file_type

Unknown file type, must be application/zip


unknown_function_id

The provided function_id was not found


unknown_method

The Slack API method does not exist or you do not have permissions to access it


unknown_webhook_schema_ref

Unable to find the corresponding type based on the schema ref


unknown_workflow_id

The provided workflow_id was not found for this app


user_id_is_required

Must include a user_id to cancel request for an app with app_id


unsupported_file_name

File name is not supported


user_already_owner

The user is already an owner for this app


user_already_requested

The user has a request pending for this app


user_cannot_manage_app

You do not have permissions to install this app

Reach out to one of your App Managers to request permissions to install apps.


user_not_found

User cannot be found


user_removed_from_team

User removed from team


workflow_not_found

Workflow not found


workspace_flag_required

The --workspace flag must be provided

Choose a specific workspace with --workspace <team_domain> or --workspace <team_id>


workspace_list_error

Couldn't get a list of workspaces


yaml_error

An error occurred while parsing the app manifest YAML file


Have 2 minutes to provide some feedback?

We'd love to hear about your experience building Slack automations. Please complete our short survey so we can use your feedback to improve.