Skip to main content
A goal can post its runs to a Slack channel. Each run opens a thread, so your team watches progress and answers approvals without opening CostGraph. This works for runs started from the app, the API, or a schedule. You need the CostGraph Slack app installed in your workspace.

​
Choose a channel

1

Open the goal

Create a goal, or edit an existing one.
2

Pick a channel

Select a channel in Slack channel. Leave it empty to turn Slack updates off.
3

Invite the app to private channels

If the list shows Invite CostGraph to this channel, open the channel in Slack and add the CostGraph app. CostGraph can only post where it is a member.
The channel applies to every run of the goal. If Slack isn’t connected, the field links to the Slack integration page. A run started over the API can pick a different channel for that run. See the Workflows API. Runs started from a Slack conversation with @costgraph already reply in that conversation, and don’t use the goal’s channel.

​
What the thread shows

When a run starts, CostGraph posts a message in the channel with the goal’s name, who started it, and a link to the run. The run’s updates follow as replies in that thread:
  • A summary of each step as it finishes.
  • A notice when the run is waiting for someone, with a link to the run.
  • The final result.
The run’s page in CostGraph shows the channel it posts to.

​
Approve from the thread

When a run needs an approval, the thread shows Approve and Deny buttons. Everyone in the channel sees them, and anyone can click one. CostGraph then checks that the person who clicked is allowed to answer, using the same rules as the app. See Approvals.
  • If they are allowed, CostGraph records the answer. The message changes to Approved by or Denied by with their name, and the buttons go away.
  • If they haven’t connected their Slack account to CostGraph, or can’t answer, only they see a message saying they can’t approve. The buttons stay for someone who can. To connect, send the app a direct message.
  • If someone already answered, the person who clicked later sees a message saying it was answered.
An approval from Slack covers exactly the change shown in the thread, the same as in the app. If the change has since moved on, the answer is refused and nothing is applied.

​
If CostGraph can’t post

CostGraph can’t post when the app was removed from the channel, the channel was deleted, or Slack access was revoked. The run carries on without Slack updates, and its page shows Could not post updates to Slack. To fix it, reconnect Slack or invite the app back to the channel. New runs then post again. A run that already stopped posting doesn’t resume.

​
Next steps

Approvals

What an approval shows and who can answer.

Workflows API

Set a channel when you start a run over HTTP.