> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developer.harness.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developer.harness.io/continuous-delivery/use-continuous-delivery/cd-building-blocks/cd-steps/utilities/slack-notify-step.md).
# Slack Notify step
Send a notification from a pipeline to a Slack channel.
This topic describes the settings for the Slack Notify step available in Continuous Delivery (CD) and custom stages.
The Slack Notify step lets you send notifications to a Slack channel or Slack thread during a pipeline execution.
## What you will learn from this topic
* How to add the Slack Notify step inside a container-based step group in a CD or custom stage
* How to configure the step to send messages to a Slack channel or thread using a Slack secret key
* How to send custom text messages or Slack Block Kit payloads from a pipeline execution
## Before you begin
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
* A Kubernetes cluster for the container-based step group that contains the Slack Notify step.
* A Slack secret key that you can create or select in the step.
## Step-by-step guide
The step-by-step guide is available in the following tabs:
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**Setting up a Slack Notify step**
Follow these steps to set up a Slack Notify step:
1. **Create Pipeline**
* Select **Create Pipeline** and enter your pipeline name.
2. **Add Stage**
* Select **Add Stage**. You can select any stage as this step is available across stages.
3. **Navigate to Execution Tab**
* Within the stage, go to the **Execution** tab.
4. **Add a Step Group**
* Add a step group.
* Enable **Container Based Execution** by setting it to `true`.
* Select a **Kubernetes Cluster**.
* Save the step group.
5. **Add Slack Notify Step**
* Within the step group, add a step.
* Select **Slack Notify** under **Miscellaneous**.
6. **Configure Slack Notify Step**
* Select the **Channel** checkbox or the **Email** checkbox.
* For sending notifications to a channel, provide the channel details where you want your message to be published.
* For sending notifications to an email address, provide the email details where you want your message to be published.
* Optionally, send a custom text message or a Slack block.
* Under **Slack Secret Key**, create or select your Slack secret key.
* Optionally, specify the thread in which you want the notification to be received.
7. **Save and Run**
* Save your pipeline configuration and run the pipeline.
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The Slack Notify step **can be added in any stage**, but it is **only available within a step group**.
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## Supported recipients and messages
The Slack Notify step supports the following recipient and message types.
### Types of recipients supported
The following types of recipients are supported:
* **Email**: The email address associated with the Slack account. This can be used to send notifications to a specific recipient.
* **Channel**: The channel where the notification is to be sent. Provide the **channel-id** of the channel.
### Types of messages supported
The following types of messages are supported:
* **Message**: A plain text format. This can be a fixed value, runtime input, or an expression.
* **Block**: You can send Slack Block notifications. Ensure that the block is enclosed in an array. For more information on Slack Blocks, go to the [Slack documentation](https://api.slack.com/reference/block-kit/blocks#header).
Sample block message
```json
[{
"type": "header",
"text": {
"type": "plain_text",
"text": "This is a Header block"
}
}]
```
This block sends the notification "This is a Header block" in heading 1 format to the recipient.
## Send notifications to a specific thread in a channel
To send notifications to a specific **thread**, provide the `thread_ts` details under Thread. For more information on how to get `thread_ts` details, see the [Slack documentation](https://api.slack.com/methods/conversations.replies).
**YAML example**
The following example shows the Slack Notify step in a stage.
Sample YAML describing the Slack Notify step
```yaml
stages:
- stage:
name: slack-step
identifier: slack-step
description: ""
type: Custom
spec:
execution:
steps:
- stepGroup:
name: container
identifier: container
steps:
- step:
type: SlackNotify
name: SlackNotify_1
identifier: SlackNotify_1
spec:
channel: CHANNEL_ID
messageContent: <+input>
token: SLACK_TOKEN
threadTs: THREAD_ID
stepGroupInfra:
type: KubernetesDirect
spec:
connectorRef: KUBERNETES_DELEGATE
namespace: NAMESPACE
rollbackSteps: []
serviceDependencies: []
tags: {}
```
Upon a successful pipeline run, the message configured in the Slack Notify step is sent to the designated Slack channel or recipient.
## Slack Notify step sample
Go to the [Harness Community Repository](https://github.com/harness-community/harnesscd-example-apps/tree/master/cd-features/slack-notify-step) for an example of how to use the Slack Notify step in Harness.
This repository provides a ready-to-use sample application and the necessary configuration files to help you get started quickly.
## Next steps
* [Notify users of pipeline events](/continuous-delivery/use-continuous-delivery/cd-building-blocks/cd-steps/notify-users-of-pipeline-events.md)
* [CD best practices](/continuous-delivery/troubleshooting-and-resources/cd-best-practices.md)
{% @harness-feedback/feedback %}