feat(slack): add native text streaming support

Adds support for Slack's Agents & AI Apps text streaming APIs
(chat.startStream, chat.appendStream, chat.stopStream) to deliver
LLM responses as a single updating message instead of separate
messages per block.

Changes:
- New src/slack/streaming.ts with stream lifecycle helpers using
  the SDK's ChatStreamer (client.chatStream())
- New 'streaming' config option on SlackAccountConfig
- Updated dispatch.ts to route block replies through the stream
  when enabled, with graceful fallback to normal delivery
- Docs in docs/channels/slack.md covering setup and requirements

The streaming integration works by intercepting the deliver callback
in the reply dispatcher. When streaming is enabled and a thread
context exists, the first text delivery starts a stream, subsequent
deliveries append to it, and the stream is finalized after dispatch
completes. Media payloads and error cases fall back to normal
message delivery.

Refs:
- https://docs.slack.dev/ai/developing-ai-apps#streaming
- https://docs.slack.dev/reference/methods/chat.startStream
- https://docs.slack.dev/reference/methods/chat.appendStream
- https://docs.slack.dev/reference/methods/chat.stopStream

docs/channels/slack.md

@@ -563,6 +563,40 @@ Common failures:
 
 For triage flow: [/channels/troubleshooting](/channels/troubleshooting).
 
+## Text streaming
+
+Slack's [Agents & AI Apps](https://docs.slack.dev/ai/developing-ai-apps) feature includes native text streaming APIs that let your app stream responses word-by-word (similar to ChatGPT) instead of waiting for the full response.
+
+Enable it per-account:
+
+```yaml
+channels:
+  slack:
+    streaming: true
+```
+
+### Requirements
+
+1. **Agents & AI Apps** must be toggled on in your [Slack app settings](https://api.slack.com/apps). This automatically adds the `assistant:write` scope.
+2. Streaming only works **within threads** (DM threads, channel threads). Messages without a thread context fall back to normal delivery automatically.
+3. Block streaming (`blockStreaming`) is automatically enabled when `streaming` is active so the LLM's incremental output feeds into the stream.
+
+### Behavior
+
+- On the first text block the bot calls `chat.startStream` to create a single updating message.
+- Subsequent text blocks are appended via `chat.appendStream`.
+- When the reply is complete the stream is finalized with `chat.stopStream`.
+- Media attachments (images, files) are delivered as separate messages alongside the stream.
+- If a streaming API call fails, the bot gracefully falls back to normal message delivery for the remainder of the response.
+
+### Relevant Slack API methods
+
+| Method                                                                            | Purpose                   |
+| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------- |
+| [`chat.startStream`](https://docs.slack.dev/reference/methods/chat.startStream)   | Start a new text stream   |
+| [`chat.appendStream`](https://docs.slack.dev/reference/methods/chat.appendStream) | Append text to the stream |
+| [`chat.stopStream`](https://docs.slack.dev/reference/methods/chat.stopStream)     | Finalize the stream       |
+
 ## Notes
 
 - Mention gating is controlled via `channels.slack.channels` (set `requireMention` to `true`); `agents.list[].groupChat.mentionPatterns` (or `messages.groupChat.mentionPatterns`) also count as mentions.

src/config/types.slack.ts

@@ -122,6 +122,17 @@ export type SlackAccountConfig = {
   blockStreaming?: boolean;
   /** Merge streamed block replies before sending. */
   blockStreamingCoalesce?: BlockStreamingCoalesceConfig;
+  /**
+   * Enable Slack native text streaming (Agents & AI Apps).
+   *
+   * When true, replies are streamed word-by-word into a single updating
+   * message using `chat.startStream` / `chat.appendStream` / `chat.stopStream`.
+   * Requires the Agents & AI Apps feature enabled in Slack app settings and
+   * the `assistant:write` scope.
+   *
+   * Falls back to normal delivery on error or when the message is not in a thread.
+   */
+  streaming?: boolean;
   mediaMaxMb?: number;
   /** Reaction notification mode (off|own|all|allowlist). Default: own. */
   reactionNotifications?: SlackReactionNotificationMode;

src/config/zod-schema.providers-core.ts

@@ -480,6 +480,7 @@ export const SlackAccountSchema = z
     chunkMode: z.enum(["length", "newline"]).optional(),
     blockStreaming: z.boolean().optional(),
     blockStreamingCoalesce: BlockStreamingCoalesceSchema.optional(),
+    streaming: z.boolean().optional(),
     mediaMaxMb: z.number().positive().optional(),
     reactionNotifications: z.enum(["off", "own", "all", "allowlist"]).optional(),
     reactionAllowlist: z.array(z.union([z.string(), z.number()])).optional(),

src/slack/monitor/message-handler/dispatch.ts

@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import type { ReplyPayload } from "../../../auto-reply/types.js";
+import type { SlackStreamSession } from "../../streaming.js";
 import type { PreparedSlackMessage } from "./types.js";
 import { resolveHumanDelayConfig } from "../../../agents/identity.js";
 import { dispatchInboundMessage } from "../../../auto-reply/dispatch.js";
@@ -10,9 +12,39 @@ import { createTypingCallbacks } from "../../../channels/typing.js";
 import { resolveStorePath, updateLastRoute } from "../../../config/sessions.js";
 import { danger, logVerbose, shouldLogVerbose } from "../../../globals.js";
 import { removeSlackReaction } from "../../actions.js";
+import { appendSlackStream, startSlackStream, stopSlackStream } from "../../streaming.js";
 import { resolveSlackThreadTargets } from "../../threading.js";
 import { createSlackReplyDeliveryPlan, deliverReplies } from "../replies.js";
 
+/**
+ * Check whether a reply payload contains media (images, files, etc.)
+ * that cannot be delivered through the streaming API.
+ */
+function hasMedia(payload: ReplyPayload): boolean {
+  return Boolean(payload.mediaUrl) || (payload.mediaUrls?.length ?? 0) > 0;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Determine if Slack native text streaming should be used for this message.
+ *
+ * Streaming requires:
+ * 1. The `streaming` config option enabled on the account
+ * 2. A thread timestamp (streaming only works within threads)
+ */
+function shouldUseStreaming(params: {
+  streamingEnabled: boolean;
+  threadTs: string | undefined;
+}): boolean {
+  if (!params.streamingEnabled) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  if (!params.threadTs) {
+    logVerbose("slack-stream: streaming disabled — no thread_ts available");
+    return false;
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
 export async function dispatchPreparedSlackMessage(prepared: PreparedSlackMessage) {
   const { ctx, account, message, route } = prepared;
   const cfg = ctx.cfg;
@@ -102,11 +134,30 @@ export async function dispatchPreparedSlackMessage(prepared: PreparedSlackMessag
     accountId: route.accountId,
   });
 
-  const { dispatcher, replyOptions, markDispatchIdle } = createReplyDispatcherWithTyping({
+  // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
-    ...prefixOptions,
+  // Slack native text streaming state
-    humanDelay: resolveHumanDelayConfig(cfg, route.agentId),
+  // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
-    deliver: async (payload) => {
+  const streamingEnabled = account.config.streaming === true;
-      const replyThreadTs = replyPlan.nextThreadTs();
+  const replyThreadTs = replyPlan.nextThreadTs();
+
+  const useStreaming = shouldUseStreaming({
+    streamingEnabled,
+    threadTs: replyThreadTs ?? incomingThreadTs ?? statusThreadTs,
+  });
+
+  let streamSession: SlackStreamSession | null = null;
+  let streamFailed = false;
+
+  /**
+   * Deliver a payload via Slack native text streaming when possible.
+   * Falls back to normal delivery for media payloads, errors, or if the
+   * streaming API call itself fails.
+   */
+  const deliverWithStreaming = async (payload: ReplyPayload): Promise<void> => {
+    const effectiveThreadTs = replyPlan.nextThreadTs();
+
+    // Fall back to normal delivery for media, errors, or if streaming already failed
+    if (streamFailed || hasMedia(payload) || !payload.text?.trim()) {
       await deliverReplies({
         replies: [payload],
         target: prepared.replyTarget,
@@ -114,9 +165,92 @@ export async function dispatchPreparedSlackMessage(prepared: PreparedSlackMessag
         accountId: account.accountId,
         runtime,
         textLimit: ctx.textLimit,
-        replyThreadTs,
+        replyThreadTs: effectiveThreadTs,
       });
       replyPlan.markSent();
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const text = payload.text.trim();
+
+    try {
+      if (!streamSession) {
+        // Determine the thread_ts for the stream (required by Slack API)
+        const streamThreadTs = effectiveThreadTs ?? incomingThreadTs ?? statusThreadTs;
+
+        if (!streamThreadTs) {
+          // No thread context — can't stream, fall back
+          logVerbose(
+            "slack-stream: no thread_ts for stream start, falling back to normal delivery",
+          );
+          streamFailed = true;
+          await deliverReplies({
+            replies: [payload],
+            target: prepared.replyTarget,
+            token: ctx.botToken,
+            accountId: account.accountId,
+            runtime,
+            textLimit: ctx.textLimit,
+            replyThreadTs: effectiveThreadTs,
+          });
+          replyPlan.markSent();
+          return;
+        }
+
+        // Start a new stream
+        streamSession = await startSlackStream({
+          client: ctx.app.client,
+          channel: message.channel,
+          threadTs: streamThreadTs,
+          text,
+        });
+        replyPlan.markSent();
+      } else {
+        // Append to existing stream
+        await appendSlackStream({
+          session: streamSession,
+          text: "\n" + text,
+        });
+      }
+    } catch (err) {
+      runtime.error?.(
+        danger(`slack-stream: streaming API call failed: ${String(err)}, falling back`),
+      );
+      streamFailed = true;
+
+      // Fall back to normal delivery for this payload
+      await deliverReplies({
+        replies: [payload],
+        target: prepared.replyTarget,
+        token: ctx.botToken,
+        accountId: account.accountId,
+        runtime,
+        textLimit: ctx.textLimit,
+        replyThreadTs: effectiveThreadTs,
+      });
+      replyPlan.markSent();
+    }
+  };
+
+  const { dispatcher, replyOptions, markDispatchIdle } = createReplyDispatcherWithTyping({
+    ...prefixOptions,
+    humanDelay: resolveHumanDelayConfig(cfg, route.agentId),
+    deliver: async (payload) => {
+      if (useStreaming) {
+        await deliverWithStreaming(payload);
+      } else {
+        const effectiveThreadTs = replyPlan.nextThreadTs();
+        await deliverReplies({
+          replies: [payload],
+          target: prepared.replyTarget,
+          token: ctx.botToken,
+          accountId: account.accountId,
+          runtime,
+          textLimit: ctx.textLimit,
+          replyThreadTs: effectiveThreadTs,
+        });
+        replyPlan.markSent();
+      }
     },
     onError: (err, info) => {
       runtime.error?.(danger(`slack ${info.kind} reply failed: ${String(err)}`));
@@ -135,14 +269,29 @@ export async function dispatchPreparedSlackMessage(prepared: PreparedSlackMessag
       skillFilter: prepared.channelConfig?.skills,
       hasRepliedRef,
       disableBlockStreaming:
-        typeof account.config.blockStreaming === "boolean"
+        // When native streaming is active, keep block streaming enabled so we
-          ? !account.config.blockStreaming
+        // get incremental block callbacks that we route through the stream.
-          : undefined,
+        useStreaming
+          ? false
+          : typeof account.config.blockStreaming === "boolean"
+            ? !account.config.blockStreaming
+            : undefined,
       onModelSelected,
     },
   });
   markDispatchIdle();
 
+  // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+  // Finalize the stream if one was started
+  // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+  if (streamSession && !streamSession.stopped) {
+    try {
+      await stopSlackStream({ session: streamSession });
+    } catch (err) {
+      runtime.error?.(danger(`slack-stream: failed to stop stream: ${String(err)}`));
+    }
+  }
+
   const anyReplyDelivered = queuedFinal || (counts.block ?? 0) > 0 || (counts.final ?? 0) > 0;
 
   if (!anyReplyDelivered) {

src/slack/streaming.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+/**
+ * Slack native text streaming helpers.
+ *
+ * Uses the Slack SDK's `ChatStreamer` (via `client.chatStream()`) to stream
+ * text responses word-by-word in a single updating message, matching Slack's
+ * "Agents & AI Apps" streaming UX.
+ *
+ * @see https://docs.slack.dev/ai/developing-ai-apps#streaming
+ * @see https://docs.slack.dev/reference/methods/chat.startStream
+ * @see https://docs.slack.dev/reference/methods/chat.appendStream
+ * @see https://docs.slack.dev/reference/methods/chat.stopStream
+ */
+
+import type { ChatStreamer, WebClient } from "@slack/web-api";
+import { logVerbose } from "../globals.js";
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Types
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+export type SlackStreamSession = {
+  /** The SDK ChatStreamer instance managing this stream. */
+  streamer: ChatStreamer;
+  /** Channel this stream lives in. */
+  channel: string;
+  /** Thread timestamp (required for streaming). */
+  threadTs: string;
+  /** True once stop() has been called. */
+  stopped: boolean;
+};
+
+export type StartSlackStreamParams = {
+  client: WebClient;
+  channel: string;
+  threadTs: string;
+  /** Optional initial markdown text to include in the stream start. */
+  text?: string;
+};
+
+export type AppendSlackStreamParams = {
+  session: SlackStreamSession;
+  text: string;
+};
+
+export type StopSlackStreamParams = {
+  session: SlackStreamSession;
+  /** Optional final markdown text to append before stopping. */
+  text?: string;
+};
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Stream lifecycle
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+/**
+ * Start a new Slack text stream.
+ *
+ * Returns a {@link SlackStreamSession} that should be passed to
+ * {@link appendSlackStream} and {@link stopSlackStream}.
+ *
+ * The first chunk of text can optionally be included via `text`.
+ */
+export async function startSlackStream(
+  params: StartSlackStreamParams,
+): Promise<SlackStreamSession> {
+  const { client, channel, threadTs, text } = params;
+
+  logVerbose(`slack-stream: starting stream in ${channel} thread=${threadTs}`);
+
+  const streamer = client.chatStream({
+    channel,
+    thread_ts: threadTs,
+  });
+
+  const session: SlackStreamSession = {
+    streamer,
+    channel,
+    threadTs,
+    stopped: false,
+  };
+
+  // If initial text is provided, send it as the first append which will
+  // trigger the ChatStreamer to call chat.startStream under the hood.
+  if (text) {
+    await streamer.append({ markdown_text: text });
+    logVerbose(`slack-stream: appended initial text (${text.length} chars)`);
+  }
+
+  return session;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Append markdown text to an active Slack stream.
+ */
+export async function appendSlackStream(params: AppendSlackStreamParams): Promise<void> {
+  const { session, text } = params;
+
+  if (session.stopped) {
+    logVerbose("slack-stream: attempted to append to a stopped stream, ignoring");
+    return;
+  }
+
+  if (!text) {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  await session.streamer.append({ markdown_text: text });
+  logVerbose(`slack-stream: appended ${text.length} chars`);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Stop (finalize) a Slack stream.
+ *
+ * After calling this the stream message becomes a normal Slack message.
+ * Optionally include final text to append before stopping.
+ */
+export async function stopSlackStream(params: StopSlackStreamParams): Promise<void> {
+  const { session, text } = params;
+
+  if (session.stopped) {
+    logVerbose("slack-stream: stream already stopped, ignoring duplicate stop");
+    return;
+  }
+
+  session.stopped = true;
+
+  logVerbose(
+    `slack-stream: stopping stream in ${session.channel} thread=${session.threadTs}${
+      text ? ` (final text: ${text.length} chars)` : ""
+    }`,
+  );
+
+  await session.streamer.stop(text ? { markdown_text: text } : undefined);
+
+  logVerbose("slack-stream: stream stopped");
+}