Syncraft — Slack Communication Assistant (Prototype)

What It Does

Syncraft helps remote teammates communicate more effectively by surfacing availability context and learned communication preferences. It suggests replies tailored to how each person prefers to communicate.

Prerequisites

• Node.js >= 18
• A Slack workspace where you can install apps
• A Slack app created at https://api.slack.com/apps

Slack App Setup

1. Create new app → "From scratch"
2. Enable Socket Mode → generate App-Level Token with connections:write
3. OAuth & Permissions → add Bot Token Scopes: commands, chat:write, users:read, channels:history, channels:read
4. Install to workspace → copy Bot Token
5. Create slash command: /syncraft
6. Create message shortcuts:
   • callback_id: analyze_message, name: "Analyze with Syncraft"
   • callback_id: suggest_reply, name: "Suggest Reply with Syncraft"
7. Enable App Home → Home Tab
8. Subscribe to bot events: app_home_opened, message.channels
9. Copy Signing Secret from Basic Information

Local Setup

1. Clone repo
2. npm install
3. Copy .env.example to .env, fill in tokens
4. npm run dev
5. Open Slack → test /syncraft @yourself

How It Works

• /syncraft @user: Shows availability, timezone, reply estimate, and communication style
• "Analyze with Syncraft": Right-click a message to analyze its intent
• "Suggest Reply with Syncraft": Right-click a message to get tailored reply suggestions
• App Home: View/edit your profile and see your learned communication style
• Passive learning: Syncraft observes public channels to learn communication patterns (metadata only — no message text is stored)

Privacy

• Only public channels are observed
• No message text is ever stored — only derived metadata (word count, timing, intent)
• Users can view and clear their data from the App Home
• Set sharing_enabled to false in your profile to opt out

Testing Checklist

• /syncraft @user with existing profile
• /syncraft @user with no profile
• /syncraft with no argument
• /syncraft reply in a thread
• Open App Home → see welcome or profile
• Set up / edit profile via modal
• "Analyze with Syncraft" shortcut on a message
• "Suggest Reply with Syncraft" shortcut on a message
• Verify communication style appears after ~20 messages
• Clear My Data from App Home