Platform Newsletter - May 2025
Published May 02, 2025
May has been a month full of energy and connection! It all began with the first stop of our global TDX tour in Tokyo, where I had the pleasure of meeting so many of you. From there, I traveled to Bengaluru for TDX, and it was nothing short of amazing. The event was huge, and the hackathon blew me away—seeing all the innovative solutions and how you integrate Slack to boost productivity was truly inspiring.
If you’re interested in attending upcoming events, check out our announcements section for details on what’s near you.
I’m also excited to share that today, on Accessibility Awareness Day, we’re rolling out a new feature that’s close to my heart. I can’t wait for you to try it out and experience the difference.
May has been a beautiful reminder of how much we can achieve together, and I’m so grateful for each moment.
Bolt apps, meet the Slack CLI
The Slack CLI just leveled up. With v3.0.0, you can now create, run, and deploy Bolt apps—right from your terminal. It’s a smoother path from local dev to production, with sample apps, manifest updates, and CLI hooks doing the heavy lifting.
From 3.6 to 3.13: Evolving Python on Slack
With over 8 million downloads a month, Python is a big deal on Slack—and we’re making it even easier to build with. From formalizing our support policy to officially sunsetting Python 3.6, here’s what’s changing (and why it matters for your apps).
How we cut 8 minutes from our E2E builds
Slack’s DevXP team cut end-to-end pipeline times by over 80%—without rewriting tools or workflows. Learn how smart use of git diff, asset caching, and internal CDNs helped eliminate redundant builds, trim cloud costs, and make E2E testing more reliable than ever.
Build a Slack App with Bolt + Hugging Face 🤖
Ever wanted to combine Slack’s interactivity with the power of generative AI? Our newest tutorial walks you through how to build a Slack app using Bolt for JavaScript—and integrates Hugging Face for intelligent, contextual responses.
Give it a try and let us know what you build—we’d love to feature your creation next!
What’s coming your way
- Find a Salesforce event near you
Looking to connect in person? Explore the Salesforce Events page to find a TrailblazerDX event or World Tour stop near your hometown. These events are packed with learning and networking opportunities—and some even include hackathons where you can build and showcase your ideas. It’s definitely worth checking out!
- The future of Slack API Docs is coming into focus
Our new documentation site at docs.slack.dev is continuing to roll out—and it’ll be fully live by June 2025! That’s when we’ll complete the transition from api.slack.com. Until then, you can explore the new experience, update your bookmarks, and follow progress through our changelog. We’re excited about what’s ahead and hope you’ll check it out!
- Rolling Out Today: Simplified Layout Mode for Better Accessibility
Just in time for Accessibility Awareness Day, Simplified layout mode is officially rolling out today! This desktop-only feature helps reduce distractions and supports assistive tech like screen readers, switches, and eye tracking. It’s also great for anyone who benefits from a calmer, more focused Slack experience.
Toggle it on via Preferences > Accessibility, and explore the quieter side of Slack.
- New! Bulk Leave Channels Right from Your Sidebar
Feeling overwhelmed by too many channels? Now you can tidy up in a flash. Slack’s new bulk leave option lets you quickly leave multiple channels from sidebar edit mode. Just right-click any section header, choose Manage > Edit all sections, and select the channels you’re ready to say goodbye to. ✨
This feature helps you reduce noise and keep Slack focused on what matters most for you.
We’re always blown away by what our community creates—and we want to highlight you next! Whether it’s a handy tool, a step-by-step guide, or an insightful article, if you’re proud of it, we want to hear all about it.
📬 Send us a message at technewsletter@slack-corp.com and share what you’ve been working on.
And if you’re not subscribed yet, you can do so down below
Subscribe to our developer newsletter
Get the latest news about releases, events, community posts, and more by signing up for our developer newsletter. Let’s code, connect, and excel together!
