Using Perplexity in Slack

Perplexity Computer in Slack lets you ask questions and hand off tasks without leaving Slack. This article covers what it can do, how it handles your Slack data, how Slack administrators install it, and how members use it.

​

How it works

​

What you can do

With Perplexity Computer in Slack, you can:

• Ask any question — Get answers from the web directly in Slack threads

• Use the thread as context — When you mention Computer in a thread, it reads the earlier messages in that thread

• Follow the full session — Computer posts the result in the thread with a link to the full session in Perplexity

• Work in threads — Responses are posted in threads to keep your channels organized

• Attach files — Share documents with your questions for richer context (up to 200 MB per file)

To search Slack messages across your workspace from Perplexity instead, use the Slack connector. See Using the Connector for Slack.

​

What your team can do

• End-to-end workflow automation across apps — Computer orchestrates complete workflows by breaking down complex projects into subtasks and routing them to specialized AI models. For example, it can take a product spec from Notion, break it down into Linear tickets, and post updates in relevant Slack channels. You can ask Computer to do this on a daily basis too.

• Multi-app research and content creation — Computer conducts deep research using its integration with hundreds of apps, including Gmail, GitHub, and Notion. It can research, design, write documentation, build slides, and send emails while working in the background.

• Long-running project management — Computer can run tasks for hours, manage multiple active projects, and run automations while you’re offline.

​

Privacy and data security

Perplexity maintains a SOC 2 Type II report. Details of Perplexity’s security program are in the Trust Center.

• What Computer can read — Computer reads Slack conversations through the Perplexity Computer app’s access to your workspace. It can read only the conversations it has been added to, including private channels and DMs, and the files shared in them. When you mention it in a thread, it reads the earlier messages in that thread. Some actions, such as creating a canvas or posting a message for you, use your own connected Slack account and its permissions.

• What Perplexity keeps — The thread messages Computer reads and the files you attach become part of your Computer session, which is saved in Perplexity and linked from the thread.

• No AI training on Enterprise data — Perplexity doesn’t use Enterprise customer data, including Slack messages, to train its models.

• Security documentation — Encryption details, certifications, and Perplexity’s sub-processor list are in the Trust Center.

• Administrator controls — Slack workspace administrators decide whether Perplexity Computer is installed and control which channels it can be added to. See Managing the integration.

​

Before you start

• A Perplexity plan with Perplexity Computer. Perplexity Computer in Slack is available to any user with access to Computer.

• To install the app: Slack administrator permissions to install apps in your workspace.

​

How to install Perplexity Computer in Slack

A Slack workspace administrator completes these steps once for the whole workspace.

​

How to verify it worked

The Perplexity confirmation page opens after you click Allow. Members can then find Perplexity Computer in their Slack apps list and send it a message.

​

Permissions and scopes

When installing, Perplexity Computer requests the following Slack permissions. Slack’s install screen shows the complete list, including permissions the app uses to act on your behalf with your own Slack account.

Permission	Purpose
app_mentions:read	View messages that directly mention the bot in conversations
canvases:read	View canvases the bot has access to
canvases:write	Create and edit canvases
channels:history	View messages and other content in public channels the bot has been added to
channels:join	Join public channels in a workspace
channels:read	View basic information about public channels in a workspace
chat:write	Send messages and responses in channels and DMs
commands	Add shortcuts and/or slash commands
files:read	View files shared in channels and conversations the bot has been added to
files:write	Upload, edit, and delete files as the bot
groups:history	View messages and other content in private channels the bot has been added to
groups:read	View basic information about private channels the bot has been added to
im:history	View messages and other content in direct messages the bot has been added to
im:read	View basic information about direct messages the bot has been added to
im:write	Start direct messages with people
metadata.message:read	View message metadata in channels the bot has been added to
mpim:history	View messages and other content in group direct messages the bot has been added to
mpim:read	View basic information about group direct messages the bot has been added to
reactions:read	View emoji reactions in conversations the bot has been added to
reactions:write	Add and remove emoji reactions
links:read	View URLs in messages
links:write	Show previews of URLs in messages
users:read	View people in a workspace
users:read.email	View email addresses of people in a workspace
team:read	View the name, email domain, and icon for the workspace

Table 1 — Slack permissions Perplexity Computer requests and what each one allows.

​

What your users will experience

Members use Computer in Slack by sending Perplexity Computer a DM or by mentioning @Computer in a channel or thread it has been added to.

Sessions started in Slack are also available on Perplexity Computer.

​

Managing the integration

​

Removing the Slack App

You can uninstall Perplexity Computer from your Slack workspace’s app management page at any time. You need to be a workspace owner or administrator, or have app management permission.

​

Controlling access

Use Slack’s built-in app management to control which channels Perplexity Computer can be added to and which users can interact with it.

​

Connector settings

Manage the Slack connector from your Perplexity Enterprise admin panel under your Organization Settings → Connectors. Administrators can enable or disable the connector for the entire organization. This setting controls the Slack connector, which Computer uses to act with each member’s own Slack account. Installing or removing the Perplexity Computer app is controlled by Slack administrators.

​

Using Perplexity Computer in Slack

Once your administrator has installed Perplexity Computer in your Slack workspace, you can start using it in any of these ways:

• Open a DM with Perplexity Computer — Find “Perplexity Computer” in your Slack apps list or direct messages and start typing.

• Open the App Home — Navigate to the Perplexity Computer app home in Slack for a welcome screen with quick links.

• Add it to a group chat — Add Perplexity Computer to a group chat to start asking questions.

The first time you message Computer, it asks you to sign in to your Perplexity account. Click Sign in and finish signing in to start your first task.

​

Trying it out

Send a message as you would to anyone in Slack. Computer replies in the same conversation.

​

Example requests

• ”Summarize this thread and list the open questions.” (Uses the earlier messages in the thread)

• “What is the latest guidance from the SEC on AI disclosures?” (Searches the web)

• “Identify the source of new subscriptions and which channels are bringing in the most customers.” (Uses the Snowflake connector)

​

For best results

• Be specific — The more context in your question, the better the answer

• Use threads — Reply in the same thread to continue the same session

• Attach files — You can attach documents to your message for Computer to reference (up to 200 MB per file)

• Ask about the thread — Mention Computer in an existing thread to have it work from the discussion so far

​

Good to know

• Privacy — Computer can read only the conversations it has been added to. See Privacy and data security.

• Response length — Long answers are split into multiple messages in the thread for readability

• Status indicator — A working status appears in the thread while Computer handles your request

​

Troubleshooting

Symptom you see	Most likely cause	How to fix it
Computer replies “Sign in to your Perplexity account to use Computer.”	You haven’t signed in to your Perplexity account from Slack yet.	Click Sign in and sign in to your Perplexity account.
Computer says you’ve been signed out because it hasn’t been used recently.	Your Computer sign-in for Slack expired after a period without use.	Click Sign in in that message, or message Computer to get a new sign-in button. When Computer warns that your sign-in is about to expire, click Keep me signed in.
Computer says it couldn’t attach a file because it’s over the 200 MB file limit.	The file is larger than 200 MB.	Attach a smaller file, or split the content into several files.
Computer isn’t responding to your messages.	The app may be missing permissions that newer features need.	Ask a Slack administrator to reinstall Perplexity Computer in your workspace so it has the latest permissions.
You can’t find Perplexity Computer in Slack.	The app isn’t installed in your workspace, or your Slack administrator limited who can use it.	Ask your Slack workspace administrator to install the app or give you access.

Table 2 — Common Perplexity Computer in Slack problems and how to fix them.

If Computer is slow or unavailable for everyone, check the Perplexity status page.

​

Frequently asked questions

​

Related articles

• Using the Connector for Slack

• Using Perplexity in Microsoft Teams

• What is Computer?

• How credits work on Perplexity

​

Need more help?

Contact us via Help > Contact Support. Include the task link if your question is about a specific Computer task.