Create a Slack bot to automate reminders

Creating a Slack bot to automate reminders involves building a bot that can integrate with Slack’s API, respond to commands, and send scheduled messages. Below is a concise implementation guide using Python, Flask, and Slack Bolt SDK.

Prerequisites

• Python 3.8+

• Slack workspace

• Slack App created from https://api.slack.com/apps

• Install dependencies:

  bash
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  pip install slack_bolt flask apscheduler
  

Step 1: Create a Slack App

1. Go to https://api.slack.com/apps and create a new app.

2. Enable Socket Mode and Bot Token.

3. Under “OAuth & Permissions”, add:

   • chat:write

   • commands

   • reminders:write

4. Install the app to your workspace and save the Bot Token and App Token.

Step 2: Basic Bot Structure

python
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from slack_bolt import App
from slack_bolt.adapter.flask import SlackRequestHandler
from flask import Flask, request
from apscheduler.schedulers.background import BackgroundScheduler
from datetime import datetime, timedelta

SLACK_BOT_TOKEN = "xoxb-your-bot-token"
SLACK_APP_TOKEN = "xapp-your-app-level-token"

app = App(token=SLACK_BOT_TOKEN)
flask_app = Flask(__name__)
handler = SlackRequestHandler(app)
scheduler = BackgroundScheduler()
scheduler.start()

reminders = []

@app.command("/remindme")
def handle_remindme_command(ack, respond, command):
    ack()
    text = command['text']  # Expected format: "Take a break in 10"
    try:
        message, minutes = text.rsplit(" in ", 1)
        delay_minutes = int(minutes.strip())
        reminder_time = datetime.now() + timedelta(minutes=delay_minutes)

        reminders.append({
            "channel": command['channel_id'],
            "message": message.strip(),
            "time": reminder_time
        })

        respond(f"✅ Got it! I'll remind you to *{message.strip()}* in {delay_minutes} minutes.")
    except Exception as e:
        respond("⚠️ Please use the format: `/remindme [message] in [minutes]`")

def check_reminders():
    now = datetime.now()
    for reminder in reminders[:]:
        if now >= reminder["time"]:
            app.client.chat_postMessage(channel=reminder["channel"], text=f"⏰ Reminder: {reminder['message']}")
            reminders.remove(reminder)

scheduler.add_job(check_reminders, 'interval', seconds=30)

@flask_app.route("/slack/events", methods=["POST"])
def slack_events():
    return handler.handle(request)

if __name__ == "__main__":
    flask_app.run(port=3000)

Step 3: Configure the /remindme Slash Command

In the Slack App settings:

• Navigate to Slash Commands.

• Add /remindme with the request URL: https://yourdomain.com/slack/events (use ngrok or public URL during testing).

• Set the usage hint like: Take a break in 10

Notes

• Use ngrok for local testing: ngrok http 3000

• You can enhance the bot to support recurring reminders, message editing, or use natural language parsing with dateparser.

This script sets up a simple Slack bot that accepts reminder commands and sends automated messages after the specified delay.