TermoSlack - User-Based Slack Terminal Client

A terminal-based Slack client that allows you to use Slack as yourself (not as a bot), directly from your command line.

Features

• ✅ Acts as YOU - All messages sent appear under your name, just like using Slack normally
• ✅ Real-time messaging - Receive messages instantly via RTM (Real-Time Messaging)
• ✅ Channel/DM access - See and interact with all channels and DMs you're a member of
• ✅ Join Channels - Search and join public channels directly from the UI
• ✅ Image Viewing - View images shared in channels (rendered as ASCII/ANSI art) or open them in your browser
• ✅ Custom Themes - Choose from 4 different color themes (Default, Hacker, Light, Ocean)
• ✅ Custom Emojis - View custom workspace emojis directly in the terminal
• ✅ Full user permissions - Send messages, react to posts, upload files, and more
• ✅ Session persistence - Login once and stay authenticated
• ✅ Secure Logout - Easily revoke your session and clear local data

Setup Instructions

1. Create a Slack App

1. Go to https://api.slack.com/apps
2. Click "Create New App" → "From scratch"
3. Name your app (e.g., "TermoSlack") and select your workspace
4. Click "Create App"

2. Configure OAuth & Permissions

1. In your app settings, go to "OAuth & Permissions"
2. Scroll down to "Redirect URLs"
3. Add: http://localhost:3000/auth/callback (or your custom OAUTH_REDIRECT_URI)
4. Click "Save URLs"

Important: You do NOT need to add Bot Token Scopes. This app uses User Token Scopes only.

3. Get Your Credentials

1. Go to "Basic Information" in your app settings
2. Under "App Credentials", find:
   • Client ID
   • Client Secret
3. Copy these values

4. Configure Environment

1. Copy .env.example to .env:

   Copy-Item .env.example .env

2. Edit .env and add your credentials:

   SLACK_CLIENT_ID=1234567890.1234567890123
   SLACK_CLIENT_SECRET=abc123def456ghi789jkl012mno345pq
   OAUTH_PORT=3000
   OAUTH_REDIRECT_URI=http://localhost:3000/auth/callback

5. Install Dependencies

npm install

6. Run the App

node bootstrap.cjs

Or build an executable:

npm run build:exe
.\termoslack.exe

First-Time Authentication

1. Run the app
2. You'll see: To authenticate, open: http://localhost:3000/login
3. Open that URL in your browser
4. Slack will ask you to authorize the app - click "Allow"
5. You'll be redirected back and authenticated
6. The app will load all your channels and DMs

Usage

• Arrow Keys: Navigate through channels/DMs
• Enter: Select a channel to view messages
• Type & Enter: Send a message to the selected channel
• Ctrl+F: Search for channels/DMs in the list
• Ctrl+S: Global message search
• Ctrl+D: Search for a user to DM
• Ctrl+U: Upload a file to the current channel
• Ctrl+J / F7: Join a new channel
• Ctrl+T: Cycle through color themes
• Ctrl+Q: Logout and exit
• Ctrl+C: Force exit
• O: Open selected image in browser
• T: View thread for selected message

User Scopes Requested

The app requests these user scopes to function properly:

• channels:read, channels:write, channels:history, channels:join - Read, send, and join public channels
• groups:read, groups:write, groups:history - Read and send messages in private channels
• mpim:read, mpim:write, mpim:history - Group DMs
• im:read, im:write, im:history - Direct messages
• chat:write - Send messages as you
• users:read - See user names
• files:read - View files/images
• search:read - Search messages

All actions are performed as you, just like using the Slack web/desktop app.

Troubleshooting

"missing_scope" error

• Make sure you clicked "Allow" during OAuth authorization
• Try removing the saved session and re-authenticating:
  • Windows: Delete %USERPROFILE%\.termoslack\sessions\*
  • Then restart the app and login again

"invalid_auth" error

• Your session may have expired
• Re-authenticate by opening the OAuth URL shown in the app

Can't see channels

• Make sure you're a member of the channels you want to see
• The app only shows channels/DMs you're actually in (just like regular Slack)

Building Executable

npm run build:exe

This creates termoslack.exe that you can run anywhere without Node.js installed.

Privacy & Security

• Your user token is stored locally in ~/.termoslack/sessions/
• All communication goes directly between your computer and Slack's servers
• The app never sends your credentials or messages to any third party
• Your token grants the same access as your regular Slack session