conversations.setPurpose

Sets the purpose for a conversation.

Facts

Method URL: https://slack.com/api/conversations.setPurpose

Preferred HTTP method: POST

Accepted content types: application/x-www-form-urlencoded, application/json

Rate limiting: Tier 2

Works with:

Token type	Required scope(s)
bot	`bot`
user	`channels:write` `groups:write` `im:write` `mpim:write`

As part of the Conversations API, this method's required scopes depend on the type of channel-like object you're working with. For classic Slack apps, a corresponding channels: scope is required when working with public channels, groups: for private channels, also the same rules are applied for im: and mpim:. For workspace apps, a conversations: scope is all that's needed.

This method is used to change the purpose of a conversation. The calling user must be a member of the conversation. Not all conversation types may have a purpose set.

Bots belonging to Slack apps are not supported

This method cannot be called with bot user tokens belonging to Slack apps, although legacy bot tokens will work. To use this method in a Slack app, use a user token imbued with the necessary scope. Stay tuned for updates as we bring a fuller feast of features to bots belonging to Slack apps.

Limits for workspace apps

Because workspace apps can't act on behalf of users, they don't have the power to set the purpose of conversations, except when they're already part of the conversation.

Arguments

Argument	Example	Required	Description
`token`	`xxxx-xxxxxxxxx-xxxx`	Required	Authentication token bearing required scopes.
`channel`	`C1234567890`	Required	Conversation to set the purpose of
`purpose`	`My More Special Purpose`	Required	A new, specialer purpose

This method supports application/json via HTTP POST. Present your token in your request's Authorization header. Learn more.

Response

{
    "ok": true,
    "purpose": "I didn't set this purpose on purpose!"
}

Errors

This table lists the expected errors that this method could return. However, other errors can be returned in the case where the service is down or other unexpected factors affect processing. Callers should always check the value of the ok params in the response.

Error	Description
`channel_not_found`	Value passed for `channel` was invalid.
`not_in_channel`	Authenticated user is not in the channel.
`is_archived`	Channel has been archived.
`too_long`	Purpose was longer than 250 characters.
`user_is_restricted`	This method cannot be called by a restricted user or single channel guest.
`method_not_supported_for_channel_type`	This type of conversation cannot be used with this method.
`missing_scope`	The token used is not granted the specific scope permissions required to complete this request.
`not_authed`	No authentication token provided.
`invalid_auth`	Some aspect of authentication cannot be validated. Either the provided token is invalid or the request originates from an IP address disallowed from making the request.
`account_inactive`	Authentication token is for a deleted user or workspace.
`token_revoked`	Authentication token is for a deleted user or workspace or the app has been removed.
`no_permission`	The workspace token used in this request does not have the permissions necessary to complete the request. Make sure your app is a member of the conversation it's attempting to post a message to.
`org_login_required`	The workspace is undergoing an enterprise migration and will not be available until migration is complete.
`ekm_access_denied`	Administrators have suspended the ability to post a message.
`invalid_arguments`	The method was called with invalid arguments.
`invalid_arg_name`	The method was passed an argument whose name falls outside the bounds of accepted or expected values. This includes very long names and names with non-alphanumeric characters other than `_`. If you get this error, it is typically an indication that you have made a very malformed API call.
`invalid_charset`	The method was called via a `POST` request, but the `charset` specified in the `Content-Type` header was invalid. Valid charset names are: `utf-8` `iso-8859-1`.
`invalid_form_data`	The method was called via a `POST` request with `Content-Type` `application/x-www-form-urlencoded` or `multipart/form-data`, but the form data was either missing or syntactically invalid.
`invalid_post_type`	The method was called via a `POST` request, but the specified `Content-Type` was invalid. Valid types are: `application/json` `application/x-www-form-urlencoded` `multipart/form-data` `text/plain`.
`missing_post_type`	The method was called via a `POST` request and included a data payload, but the request did not include a `Content-Type` header.
`team_added_to_org`	The workspace associated with your request is currently undergoing migration to an Enterprise Organization. Web API and other platform operations will be intermittently unavailable until the transition is complete.
`request_timeout`	The method was called via a `POST` request, but the `POST` data was either missing or truncated.
`fatal_error`	The server could not complete your operation(s) without encountering a catastrophic error. It's possible some aspect of the operation succeeded before the error was raised.

Warnings

This table lists the expected warnings that this method will return. However, other warnings can be returned in the case where the service is experiencing unexpected trouble.

Warning	Description
`missing_charset`	The method was called via a `POST` request, and recommended practice for the specified `Content-Type` is to include a `charset` parameter. However, no `charset` was present. Specifically, non-form-data content types (e.g. `text/plain`) are the ones for which `charset` is recommended.
`superfluous_charset`	The method was called via a `POST` request, and the specified `Content-Type` is not defined to understand the `charset` parameter. However, `charset` was in fact present. Specifically, form-data content types (e.g. `multipart/form-data`) are the ones for which `charset` is superfluous.