Slack: implement replyToMode threading for tool path

- Add shared hasRepliedRef state between auto-reply and tool paths
- Extract buildSlackThreadingContext helper in agent-runner.ts
- Extract resolveThreadTsFromContext helper in slack-actions.ts
- Update docs with clear replyToMode table (off/first/all)
- Add tests for first mode behavior across multiple messages

docs/providers/slack.md

@@ -199,12 +199,20 @@ Ack reactions are controlled globally via `messages.ackReaction` +
 - Media uploads are capped by `slack.mediaMaxMb` (default 20).
 
 ## Reply threading
-Slack supports optional threaded replies via tags:
+By default, Clawdbot replies in the main channel. Use `slack.replyToMode` to control automatic threading:
-- `[[reply_to_current]]` — reply to the triggering message.
-- `[[reply_to:<id>]]` — reply to a specific message id.
 
-Controlled by `slack.replyToMode`:
+| Mode | Behavior |
-- `off` (default), `first`, `all`.
+| --- | --- |
+| `off` | **Default.** Reply in main channel. Only thread if the triggering message was already in a thread. |
+| `first` | First reply goes to thread (under the triggering message), subsequent replies go to main channel. Useful for keeping context visible while avoiding thread clutter. |
+| `all` | All replies go to thread. Keeps conversations contained but may reduce visibility. |
+
+The mode applies to both auto-replies and agent tool calls (`slack sendMessage`).
+
+### Manual threading tags
+For fine-grained control, use these tags in agent responses:
+- `[[reply_to_current]]` — reply to the triggering message (start/continue thread).
+- `[[reply_to:<id>]]` — reply to a specific message id.
 
 ## Sessions + routing
 - DMs share the `main` session (like WhatsApp/Telegram).

src/agents/clawdbot-tools.ts

@@ -22,6 +22,14 @@ export function createClawdbotTools(options?: {
   agentDir?: string;
   sandboxed?: boolean;
   config?: ClawdbotConfig;
+  /** Current channel ID for auto-threading (Slack). */
+  currentChannelId?: string;
+  /** Current thread timestamp for auto-threading (Slack). */
+  currentThreadTs?: string;
+  /** Reply-to mode for Slack auto-threading. */
+  replyToMode?: "off" | "first" | "all";
+  /** Mutable ref to track if a reply was sent (for "first" mode). */
+  hasRepliedRef?: { value: boolean };
 }): AnyAgentTool[] {
   const imageTool = createImageTool({
     config: options?.config,
@@ -35,6 +43,10 @@ export function createClawdbotTools(options?: {
     createMessageTool({
       agentAccountId: options?.agentAccountId,
       config: options?.config,
+      currentChannelId: options?.currentChannelId,
+      currentThreadTs: options?.currentThreadTs,
+      replyToMode: options?.replyToMode,
+      hasRepliedRef: options?.hasRepliedRef,
     }),
     createGatewayTool({
       agentSessionKey: options?.agentSessionKey,

src/agents/pi-embedded-runner.ts

@@ -868,6 +868,7 @@ export async function compactEmbeddedPiSession(params: {
           sessionKey: params.sessionKey ?? params.sessionId,
           agentDir,
           config: params.config,
+          // No currentChannelId/currentThreadTs for compaction - not in message context
         });
         const machineName = await getMachineDisplayName();
         const runtimeProvider = normalizeMessageProvider(
@@ -999,6 +1000,14 @@ export async function runEmbeddedPiAgent(params: {
   sessionKey?: string;
   messageProvider?: string;
   agentAccountId?: string;
+  /** Current channel ID for auto-threading (Slack). */
+  currentChannelId?: string;
+  /** Current thread timestamp for auto-threading (Slack). */
+  currentThreadTs?: string;
+  /** Reply-to mode for Slack auto-threading. */
+  replyToMode?: "off" | "first" | "all";
+  /** Mutable ref to track if a reply was sent (for "first" mode). */
+  hasRepliedRef?: { value: boolean };
   sessionFile: string;
   workspaceDir: string;
   agentDir?: string;
@@ -1200,6 +1209,10 @@ export async function runEmbeddedPiAgent(params: {
             sessionKey: params.sessionKey ?? params.sessionId,
             agentDir,
             config: params.config,
+            currentChannelId: params.currentChannelId,
+            currentThreadTs: params.currentThreadTs,
+            replyToMode: params.replyToMode,
+            hasRepliedRef: params.hasRepliedRef,
           });
           const machineName = await getMachineDisplayName();
           const runtimeInfo = {

src/agents/pi-tools.ts

@@ -510,6 +510,14 @@ export function createClawdbotCodingTools(options?: {
   sessionKey?: string;
   agentDir?: string;
   config?: ClawdbotConfig;
+  /** Current channel ID for auto-threading (Slack). */
+  currentChannelId?: string;
+  /** Current thread timestamp for auto-threading (Slack). */
+  currentThreadTs?: string;
+  /** Reply-to mode for Slack auto-threading. */
+  replyToMode?: "off" | "first" | "all";
+  /** Mutable ref to track if a reply was sent (for "first" mode). */
+  hasRepliedRef?: { value: boolean };
 }): AnyAgentTool[] {
   const bashToolName = "bash";
   const sandbox = options?.sandbox?.enabled ? options.sandbox : undefined;
@@ -580,6 +588,10 @@ export function createClawdbotCodingTools(options?: {
       agentDir: options?.agentDir,
       sandboxed: !!sandbox,
       config: options?.config,
+      currentChannelId: options?.currentChannelId,
+      currentThreadTs: options?.currentThreadTs,
+      replyToMode: options?.replyToMode,
+      hasRepliedRef: options?.hasRepliedRef,
     }),
   ];
   const toolsFiltered = effectiveToolsPolicy

src/agents/tools/slack-actions.test.ts

@@ -122,9 +122,194 @@ describe("handleSlackAction", () => {
       },
       cfg,
     );
-    expect(sendSlackMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith("channel:C123", "Hello thread", {
+    expect(sendSlackMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      "channel:C123",
+      "Hello thread",
+      {
+        mediaUrl: undefined,
+        threadTs: "1234567890.123456",
+      },
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("auto-injects threadTs from context when replyToMode=all", async () => {
+    const cfg = { slack: { botToken: "tok" } } as ClawdbotConfig;
+    sendSlackMessage.mockClear();
+    await handleSlackAction(
+      {
+        action: "sendMessage",
+        to: "channel:C123",
+        content: "Auto-threaded",
+      },
+      cfg,
+      {
+        currentChannelId: "C123",
+        currentThreadTs: "1111111111.111111",
+        replyToMode: "all",
+      },
+    );
+    expect(sendSlackMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      "channel:C123",
+      "Auto-threaded",
+      {
+        mediaUrl: undefined,
+        threadTs: "1111111111.111111",
+      },
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("replyToMode=first threads first message then stops", async () => {
+    const cfg = { slack: { botToken: "tok" } } as ClawdbotConfig;
+    sendSlackMessage.mockClear();
+    const hasRepliedRef = { value: false };
+    const context = {
+      currentChannelId: "C123",
+      currentThreadTs: "1111111111.111111",
+      replyToMode: "first" as const,
+      hasRepliedRef,
+    };
+
+    // First message should be threaded
+    await handleSlackAction(
+      { action: "sendMessage", to: "channel:C123", content: "First" },
+      cfg,
+      context,
+    );
+    expect(sendSlackMessage).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith("channel:C123", "First", {
       mediaUrl: undefined,
-      threadTs: "1234567890.123456",
+      threadTs: "1111111111.111111",
+    });
+    expect(hasRepliedRef.value).toBe(true);
+
+    // Second message should NOT be threaded
+    await handleSlackAction(
+      { action: "sendMessage", to: "channel:C123", content: "Second" },
+      cfg,
+      context,
+    );
+    expect(sendSlackMessage).toHaveBeenLastCalledWith(
+      "channel:C123",
+      "Second",
+      {
+        mediaUrl: undefined,
+        threadTs: undefined,
+      },
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("replyToMode=first without hasRepliedRef does not thread", async () => {
+    const cfg = { slack: { botToken: "tok" } } as ClawdbotConfig;
+    sendSlackMessage.mockClear();
+    await handleSlackAction(
+      { action: "sendMessage", to: "channel:C123", content: "No ref" },
+      cfg,
+      {
+        currentChannelId: "C123",
+        currentThreadTs: "1111111111.111111",
+        replyToMode: "first",
+        // no hasRepliedRef
+      },
+    );
+    expect(sendSlackMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith("channel:C123", "No ref", {
+      mediaUrl: undefined,
+      threadTs: undefined,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("does not auto-inject threadTs when replyToMode=off", async () => {
+    const cfg = { slack: { botToken: "tok" } } as ClawdbotConfig;
+    sendSlackMessage.mockClear();
+    await handleSlackAction(
+      {
+        action: "sendMessage",
+        to: "channel:C123",
+        content: "Off mode",
+      },
+      cfg,
+      {
+        currentChannelId: "C123",
+        currentThreadTs: "1111111111.111111",
+        replyToMode: "off",
+      },
+    );
+    expect(sendSlackMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith("channel:C123", "Off mode", {
+      mediaUrl: undefined,
+      threadTs: undefined,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("does not auto-inject threadTs when sending to different channel", async () => {
+    const cfg = { slack: { botToken: "tok" } } as ClawdbotConfig;
+    sendSlackMessage.mockClear();
+    await handleSlackAction(
+      {
+        action: "sendMessage",
+        to: "channel:C999",
+        content: "Different channel",
+      },
+      cfg,
+      {
+        currentChannelId: "C123",
+        currentThreadTs: "1111111111.111111",
+        replyToMode: "all",
+      },
+    );
+    expect(sendSlackMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      "channel:C999",
+      "Different channel",
+      {
+        mediaUrl: undefined,
+        threadTs: undefined,
+      },
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("explicit threadTs overrides context threadTs", async () => {
+    const cfg = { slack: { botToken: "tok" } } as ClawdbotConfig;
+    sendSlackMessage.mockClear();
+    await handleSlackAction(
+      {
+        action: "sendMessage",
+        to: "channel:C123",
+        content: "Explicit thread",
+        threadTs: "2222222222.222222",
+      },
+      cfg,
+      {
+        currentChannelId: "C123",
+        currentThreadTs: "1111111111.111111",
+        replyToMode: "all",
+      },
+    );
+    expect(sendSlackMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      "channel:C123",
+      "Explicit thread",
+      {
+        mediaUrl: undefined,
+        threadTs: "2222222222.222222",
+      },
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("handles channel target without prefix when replyToMode=all", async () => {
+    const cfg = { slack: { botToken: "tok" } } as ClawdbotConfig;
+    sendSlackMessage.mockClear();
+    await handleSlackAction(
+      {
+        action: "sendMessage",
+        to: "C123",
+        content: "No prefix",
+      },
+      cfg,
+      {
+        currentChannelId: "C123",
+        currentThreadTs: "1111111111.111111",
+        replyToMode: "all",
+      },
+    );
+    expect(sendSlackMessage).toHaveBeenCalledWith("C123", "No prefix", {
+      mediaUrl: undefined,
+      threadTs: "1111111111.111111",
     });
   });
 });

src/agents/tools/slack-actions.ts

@@ -34,9 +34,60 @@ const messagingActions = new Set([
 const reactionsActions = new Set(["react", "reactions"]);
 const pinActions = new Set(["pinMessage", "unpinMessage", "listPins"]);
 
+export type SlackActionContext = {
+  /** Current channel ID for auto-threading. */
+  currentChannelId?: string;
+  /** Current thread timestamp for auto-threading. */
+  currentThreadTs?: string;
+  /** Reply-to mode for auto-threading. */
+  replyToMode?: "off" | "first" | "all";
+  /** Mutable ref to track if a reply was sent (for "first" mode). */
+  hasRepliedRef?: { value: boolean };
+};
+
+/**
+ * Resolve threadTs for a Slack message based on context and replyToMode.
+ * - "all": always inject threadTs
+ * - "first": inject only for first message (updates hasRepliedRef)
+ * - "off": never auto-inject
+ */
+function resolveThreadTsFromContext(
+  explicitThreadTs: string | undefined,
+  targetChannel: string,
+  context: SlackActionContext | undefined,
+): string | undefined {
+  // Agent explicitly provided threadTs - use it
+  if (explicitThreadTs) return explicitThreadTs;
+  // No context or missing required fields
+  if (!context?.currentThreadTs || !context?.currentChannelId) return undefined;
+
+  // Normalize target (strip "channel:" prefix if present)
+  const normalizedTarget = targetChannel.startsWith("channel:")
+    ? targetChannel.slice("channel:".length)
+    : targetChannel;
+
+  // Different channel - don't inject
+  if (normalizedTarget !== context.currentChannelId) return undefined;
+
+  // Check replyToMode
+  if (context.replyToMode === "all") {
+    return context.currentThreadTs;
+  }
+  if (
+    context.replyToMode === "first" &&
+    context.hasRepliedRef &&
+    !context.hasRepliedRef.value
+  ) {
+    context.hasRepliedRef.value = true;
+    return context.currentThreadTs;
+  }
+  return undefined;
+}
+
 export async function handleSlackAction(
   params: Record<string, unknown>,
   cfg: ClawdbotConfig,
+  context?: SlackActionContext,
 ): Promise<AgentToolResult<unknown>> {
   const action = readStringParam(params, "action", { required: true });
   const accountId = readStringParam(params, "accountId");
@@ -91,7 +142,11 @@ export async function handleSlackAction(
         const to = readStringParam(params, "to", { required: true });
         const content = readStringParam(params, "content", { required: true });
         const mediaUrl = readStringParam(params, "mediaUrl");
-        const threadTs = readStringParam(params, "threadTs");
+        const threadTs = resolveThreadTsFromContext(
+          readStringParam(params, "threadTs"),
+          to,
+          context,
+        );
         const result = await sendSlackMessage(to, content, {
           accountId: accountId ?? undefined,
           mediaUrl: mediaUrl ?? undefined,

src/agents/tools/slack-tool.ts

@@ -9,6 +9,14 @@ import { SlackToolSchema } from "./slack-schema.js";
 type SlackToolOptions = {
   agentAccountId?: string;
   config?: ClawdbotConfig;
+  /** Current channel ID for auto-threading. */
+  currentChannelId?: string;
+  /** Current thread timestamp for auto-threading. */
+  currentThreadTs?: string;
+  /** Reply-to mode for auto-threading. */
+  replyToMode?: "off" | "first" | "all";
+  /** Mutable ref to track if a reply was sent (for "first" mode). */
+  hasRepliedRef?: { value: boolean };
 };
 
 function resolveAgentAccountId(value?: string): string | undefined {
@@ -63,7 +71,12 @@ export function createSlackTool(options?: SlackToolOptions): AnyAgentTool {
           ).trim()}`,
         );
       }
-      return await handleSlackAction(resolvedParams, cfg);
+      return await handleSlackAction(resolvedParams, cfg, {
+        currentChannelId: options?.currentChannelId,
+        currentThreadTs: options?.currentThreadTs,
+        replyToMode: options?.replyToMode,
+        hasRepliedRef: options?.hasRepliedRef,
+      });
     },
   };
 }

src/auto-reply/reply/agent-runner.ts

@@ -62,6 +62,41 @@ import { createTypingSignaler } from "./typing-mode.js";
 const BUN_FETCH_SOCKET_ERROR_RE = /socket connection was closed unexpectedly/i;
 const BLOCK_REPLY_SEND_TIMEOUT_MS = 15_000;
 
+/**
+ * Build Slack-specific threading context for tool auto-injection.
+ * Returns undefined values for non-Slack providers.
+ */
+function buildSlackThreadingContext(params: {
+  sessionCtx: TemplateContext;
+  config: { slack?: { replyToMode?: "off" | "first" | "all" } } | undefined;
+  hasRepliedRef: { value: boolean } | undefined;
+}): {
+  currentChannelId: string | undefined;
+  currentThreadTs: string | undefined;
+  replyToMode: "off" | "first" | "all" | undefined;
+  hasRepliedRef: { value: boolean } | undefined;
+} {
+  const { sessionCtx, config, hasRepliedRef } = params;
+  const isSlack = sessionCtx.Provider?.toLowerCase() === "slack";
+  if (!isSlack) {
+    return {
+      currentChannelId: undefined,
+      currentThreadTs: undefined,
+      replyToMode: undefined,
+      hasRepliedRef: undefined,
+    };
+  }
+  return {
+    // Extract channel from "channel:C123" format
+    currentChannelId: sessionCtx.To?.startsWith("channel:")
+      ? sessionCtx.To.slice("channel:".length)
+      : undefined,
+    currentThreadTs: sessionCtx.ReplyToId,
+    replyToMode: config?.slack?.replyToMode ?? "off",
+    hasRepliedRef,
+  };
+}
+
 const isBunFetchSocketError = (message?: string) =>
   Boolean(message && BUN_FETCH_SOCKET_ERROR_RE.test(message));
 
@@ -375,6 +410,12 @@ export async function runReplyAgent(params: {
             messageProvider:
               sessionCtx.Provider?.trim().toLowerCase() || undefined,
             agentAccountId: sessionCtx.AccountId,
+            // Slack threading context for tool auto-injection
+            ...buildSlackThreadingContext({
+              sessionCtx,
+              config: followupRun.run.config,
+              hasRepliedRef: opts?.hasRepliedRef,
+            }),
             sessionFile: followupRun.run.sessionFile,
             workspaceDir: followupRun.run.workspaceDir,
             agentDir: followupRun.run.agentDir,

src/auto-reply/types.ts

@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ export type GetReplyOptions = {
   blockReplyTimeoutMs?: number;
   /** If provided, only load these skills for this session (empty = no skills). */
   skillFilter?: string[];
+  /** Mutable ref to track if a reply was sent (for Slack "first" threading mode). */
+  hasRepliedRef?: { value: boolean };
 };
 
 export type ReplyPayload = {

src/slack/monitor.test.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 
-import { isSlackRoomAllowedByPolicy } from "./monitor.js";
+import { isSlackRoomAllowedByPolicy, resolveSlackThreadTs } from "./monitor.js";
 
 describe("slack groupPolicy gating", () => {
   it("allows when policy is open", () => {
@@ -53,3 +53,83 @@ describe("slack groupPolicy gating", () => {
     ).toBe(false);
   });
 });
+
+describe("resolveSlackThreadTs", () => {
+  const threadTs = "1234567890.123456";
+
+  describe("replyToMode=off", () => {
+    it("returns baseThreadTs when in a thread", () => {
+      expect(
+        resolveSlackThreadTs({
+          replyToMode: "off",
+          baseThreadTs: threadTs,
+          hasReplied: false,
+        }),
+      ).toBe(threadTs);
+    });
+
+    it("returns baseThreadTs even after replies (stays in thread)", () => {
+      expect(
+        resolveSlackThreadTs({
+          replyToMode: "off",
+          baseThreadTs: threadTs,
+          hasReplied: true,
+        }),
+      ).toBe(threadTs);
+    });
+
+    it("returns undefined when not in a thread", () => {
+      expect(
+        resolveSlackThreadTs({
+          replyToMode: "off",
+          baseThreadTs: undefined,
+          hasReplied: false,
+        }),
+      ).toBeUndefined();
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe("replyToMode=first", () => {
+    it("returns baseThreadTs for first reply", () => {
+      expect(
+        resolveSlackThreadTs({
+          replyToMode: "first",
+          baseThreadTs: threadTs,
+          hasReplied: false,
+        }),
+      ).toBe(threadTs);
+    });
+
+    it("returns undefined for subsequent replies (goes to main channel)", () => {
+      expect(
+        resolveSlackThreadTs({
+          replyToMode: "first",
+          baseThreadTs: threadTs,
+          hasReplied: true,
+        }),
+      ).toBeUndefined();
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe("replyToMode=all", () => {
+    it("returns baseThreadTs for first reply", () => {
+      expect(
+        resolveSlackThreadTs({
+          replyToMode: "all",
+          baseThreadTs: threadTs,
+          hasReplied: false,
+        }),
+      ).toBe(threadTs);
+    });
+
+    it("returns baseThreadTs for subsequent replies (all go to thread)", () => {
+      expect(
+        resolveSlackThreadTs({
+          replyToMode: "all",
+          baseThreadTs: threadTs,
+          hasReplied: true,
+        }),
+      ).toBe(threadTs);
+    });
+  });
+});

src/slack/monitor.ts

@@ -1069,11 +1069,22 @@ export async function monitorSlackProvider(opts: MonitorSlackOpts = {}) {
       );
     }
 
-    const { replyThreadTs, statusThreadTs } = resolveSlackThreadTargets({
+    // Use helper for status thread; compute baseThreadTs for "first" mode support
+    const { statusThreadTs } = resolveSlackThreadTargets({
       message,
       replyToMode,
     });
+    // Base thread timestamp: where should first reply go?
+    // - "off": only thread if already in a thread
+    // - "first"/"all": start thread under the message
+    const baseThreadTs =
+      replyToMode === "off"
+        ? message.thread_ts
+        : (message.thread_ts ?? message.ts);
     let didSetStatus = false;
+    // Shared mutable ref for tracking if a reply was sent (used by both
+    // auto-reply path and tool path for "first" threading mode).
+    const hasRepliedRef = { value: false };
     const onReplyStart = async () => {
       didSetStatus = true;
       await setSlackThreadStatus({
@@ -1087,6 +1098,11 @@ export async function monitorSlackProvider(opts: MonitorSlackOpts = {}) {
         responsePrefix: resolveEffectiveMessagesConfig(cfg, route.agentId)
           .responsePrefix,
         deliver: async (payload) => {
+          const effectiveThreadTs = resolveSlackThreadTs({
+            replyToMode,
+            baseThreadTs,
+            hasReplied: hasRepliedRef.value,
+          });
           await deliverReplies({
             replies: [payload],
             target: replyTarget,
@@ -1094,8 +1110,9 @@ export async function monitorSlackProvider(opts: MonitorSlackOpts = {}) {
             accountId: account.accountId,
             runtime,
             textLimit,
-            replyThreadTs,
+            threadTs: effectiveThreadTs,
           });
+          hasRepliedRef.value = true;
         },
         onError: (err, info) => {
           runtime.error?.(
@@ -1119,6 +1136,7 @@ export async function monitorSlackProvider(opts: MonitorSlackOpts = {}) {
       replyOptions: {
         ...replyOptions,
         skillFilter: channelConfig?.skills,
+        hasRepliedRef,
         disableBlockStreaming:
           typeof account.config.blockStreaming === "boolean"
             ? !account.config.blockStreaming
@@ -1958,6 +1976,30 @@ export function isSlackRoomAllowedByPolicy(params: {
   return channelAllowed;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Compute effective threadTs for a Slack reply based on replyToMode.
+ * - "off": stay in thread if already in one, otherwise main channel
+ * - "first": first reply goes to thread, subsequent replies to main channel
+ * - "all": all replies go to thread
+ */
+export function resolveSlackThreadTs(params: {
+  replyToMode: "off" | "first" | "all";
+  baseThreadTs: string | undefined;
+  hasReplied: boolean;
+}): string | undefined {
+  const { replyToMode, baseThreadTs, hasReplied } = params;
+  if (replyToMode === "off") {
+    // Always stay in thread if already in one
+    return baseThreadTs;
+  }
+  if (replyToMode === "all") {
+    // All replies go to thread
+    return baseThreadTs;
+  }
+  // "first": only first reply goes to thread
+  return hasReplied ? undefined : baseThreadTs;
+}
+
 async function deliverSlackSlashReplies(params: {
   replies: ReplyPayload[];
   respond: SlackRespondFn;