Slack Developer Changelog Recap: January – March 2025

The first quarter of 2025 has brought exciting changes for Slack developers! We’ve been hard at work simplifying your workflows and boosting productivity. Let’s dive into the key updates from January to March.

What’s old, what’s new, and what might need some action from you!

• Data Access API Limited Release: The Data Access API is now in limited release for interested partners. This API can be used within AI apps to access all the Slack data needed to ensure a pleasant user experience. Plus, a new markdown block for Block Kit is available for AI apps! Find more in the Data Access API documentation and learn about developing AI apps.
• Developer Documentation Moved: Our documentation has a new home! The Slack platform documentation is now in beta at docs.slack.dev, and developer tools documentation has fully moved to tools.slack.dev. Be sure to update your bookmarks.
• Deno Command Removed: The previously deprecated deno command has been completely removed. Developers who were depending on it should now use the ‘deno’ executable directly. Details can be found here.
• <b>files.upload</b> API Deprecation Date Extended: Great news! The files.upload API method deprecation date has been pushed back to November 12, 2025.

Slack CLI Updates

The Slack CLI is the command line interface for quickly creating, developing, and deploying Slack apps. We’ve made a few improvements to enhance your development experience:

• Sub-directory Support: You can now run Slack CLI commands in project sub-directories.
• Enhanced Debugging: Script and outputs of hooks have been improved for better debugging.
• File Renamed: slack.json is now .slack/hooks.json (although slack.json is still supported for existing projects, a warning in --verbose output encourages migration).
• Error Message Enhancements: The invalid_app_directory error has been removed for nested project directories. The CLI now searches for slack.json or .slack/hooks.json the project configuration.
• Manifest Export Caching: We now cache the last known manifest export to avoid overwriting changes on app settings. A confirmation prompt appears if changes have been made since the last update.
• Command Restructuring: We’ve moved the top-level commands you know and love, slack create and slack samples, to be sub-commands of slack project (they remain aliased as top-level commands so there’s no change to the user experience).
• Update to <strong>slack doctor</strong> Command: The slack doctor command now displays the manifest.source value (local or remote).
• Bolt Support: We now officially support Bolt for JavaScript and Bolt for Python in the Slack CLI! 🎉 The slack create command has a new journey for choosing app types (Bolt for JavaScript, Bolt for Python, or Deno), and the slack init command initializes existing projects with Slack CLI support.
• Bug Fixes: Check the changelog for details on various bug fixes.

Deno Slack Hooks Improvements

This helper library that implements the contract between the Slack CLI and our Slack SDKs is here to help you, too!

• Improved Bundling: The bundling used for slack deploy has been improved to address npm import issues.

We hope these updates make your Slack development experience smoother and more productive. Happy Building!