feat: add slack replyToModeByChatType overrides (#1442) (thanks @stefangalescu)

Adds support for separate replyToMode settings for DMs vs channels:

- Add channels.slack.dm.replyToMode for DM-specific threading
- Keep channels.slack.replyToMode as default for channels
- Add resolveSlackReplyToMode helper to centralize logic
- Pass chatType through threading resolution chain

Usage:
```json5
{
  channels: {
    slack: {
      replyToMode: "off",     // channels
      dm: {
        replyToMode: "all"    // DMs always thread
      }
    }
  }
}
```

When dm.replyToMode is set, DMs use that mode; channels use the
top-level replyToMode. Backward compatible when not configured.

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ Docs: https://docs.clawd.bot
 - Highlight: Lobster optional plugin tool for typed workflows + approval gates. https://docs.clawd.bot/tools/lobster
 - Lobster: allow workflow file args via `argsJson` in the plugin tool. https://docs.clawd.bot/tools/lobster
 - Agents: add identity avatar config support and Control UI avatar rendering. (#1329, #1424) Thanks @dlauer.
+- Slack: add chat-type reply threading overrides via `replyToModeByChatType`. (#1442) Thanks @stefangalescu.
 - Memory: prevent CLI hangs by deferring vector probes, adding sqlite-vec/embedding timeouts, and showing sync progress early.
 - BlueBubbles: add `asVoice` support for MP3/CAF voice memos in sendAttachment. (#1477, #1482) Thanks @Nicell.
 - Docs: add troubleshooting entry for gateway.mode blocking gateway start. https://docs.clawd.bot/gateway/troubleshooting

docs/channels/slack.md

@@ -304,7 +304,8 @@ Slack uses Socket Mode only (no HTTP webhook server). Provide both tokens:
       "policy": "pairing",
       "allowFrom": ["U123", "U456", "*"],
       "groupEnabled": false,
-      "groupChannels": ["G123"]
+      "groupChannels": ["G123"],
+      "replyToMode": "all"
     },
     "channels": {
       "C123": { "allow": true, "requireMention": true },
@@ -361,6 +362,25 @@ By default, Clawdbot replies in the main channel. Use `channels.slack.replyToMod
 
 The mode applies to both auto-replies and agent tool calls (`slack sendMessage`).
 
+### Per-chat-type threading
+You can configure different threading behavior per chat type by setting `channels.slack.replyToModeByChatType`:
+
+```json5
+{
+  channels: {
+    slack: {
+      replyToMode: "off",        // default for channels
+      replyToModeByChatType: {
+        direct: "all",           // DMs always thread
+        group: "first"           // group DMs/MPIM thread first reply
+      },
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
+When a chat-type override is set, it takes precedence for that chat type. Otherwise the top-level `replyToMode` is used.
+
 ### Manual threading tags
 For fine-grained control, use these tags in agent responses:
 - `[[reply_to_current]]` — reply to the triggering message (start/continue thread).

extensions/slack/src/channel.ts

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import {
   readStringParam,
   resolveDefaultSlackAccountId,
   resolveSlackAccount,
+  resolveSlackReplyToMode,
   resolveSlackGroupRequireMention,
   buildSlackThreadingToolContext,
   setAccountEnabledInConfigSection,
@@ -162,8 +163,8 @@ export const slackPlugin: ChannelPlugin<ResolvedSlackAccount> = {
     resolveRequireMention: resolveSlackGroupRequireMention,
   },
   threading: {
-    resolveReplyToMode: ({ cfg, accountId }) =>
-      resolveSlackAccount({ cfg, accountId }).replyToMode ?? "off",
+    resolveReplyToMode: ({ cfg, accountId, chatType }) =>
+      resolveSlackReplyToMode(resolveSlackAccount({ cfg, accountId }), chatType),
     allowTagsWhenOff: true,
     buildToolContext: (params) => buildSlackThreadingToolContext(params),
   },

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

@@ -136,6 +136,7 @@ export async function runReplyAgent(params: {
     followupRun.run.config,
     replyToChannel,
     sessionCtx.AccountId,
+    sessionCtx.ChatType,
   );
   const applyReplyToMode = createReplyToModeFilterForChannel(replyToMode, replyToChannel);
   const cfg = followupRun.run.config;

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

@@ -204,6 +204,7 @@ export function createFollowupRunner(params: {
         queued.run.config,
         replyToChannel,
         queued.originatingAccountId,
+        queued.originatingChatType,
       );
 
       const replyTaggedPayloads: ReplyPayload[] = applyReplyThreading({

src/auto-reply/reply/get-reply-run.ts

@@ -358,6 +358,7 @@ export async function runPreparedReply(
     originatingTo: ctx.OriginatingTo,
     originatingAccountId: ctx.AccountId,
     originatingThreadId: ctx.MessageThreadId,
+    originatingChatType: ctx.ChatType,
     run: {
       agentId,
       agentDir,

src/auto-reply/reply/queue/types.ts

@@ -39,6 +39,8 @@ export type FollowupRun = {
   originatingAccountId?: string;
   /** Thread id for reply routing (Telegram topic id or Matrix thread event id). */
   originatingThreadId?: string | number;
+  /** Chat type for context-aware threading (e.g., DM vs channel). */
+  originatingChatType?: string;
   run: {
     agentId: string;
     agentDir: string;

src/auto-reply/reply/reply-threading.test.ts

@@ -31,6 +31,33 @@ describe("resolveReplyToMode", () => {
     expect(resolveReplyToMode(cfg, "discord")).toBe("first");
     expect(resolveReplyToMode(cfg, "slack")).toBe("all");
   });
+
+  it("uses chat-type replyToMode overrides for Slack when configured", () => {
+    const cfg = {
+      channels: {
+        slack: {
+          replyToMode: "off",
+          replyToModeByChatType: { direct: "all", group: "first" },
+        },
+      },
+    } as ClawdbotConfig;
+    expect(resolveReplyToMode(cfg, "slack", null, "direct")).toBe("all");
+    expect(resolveReplyToMode(cfg, "slack", null, "group")).toBe("first");
+    expect(resolveReplyToMode(cfg, "slack", null, "channel")).toBe("off");
+    expect(resolveReplyToMode(cfg, "slack", null, undefined)).toBe("off");
+  });
+
+  it("falls back to top-level replyToMode when no chat-type override is set", () => {
+    const cfg = {
+      channels: {
+        slack: {
+          replyToMode: "first",
+        },
+      },
+    } as ClawdbotConfig;
+    expect(resolveReplyToMode(cfg, "slack", null, "direct")).toBe("first");
+    expect(resolveReplyToMode(cfg, "slack", null, "channel")).toBe("first");
+  });
 });
 
 describe("createReplyToModeFilter", () => {

src/auto-reply/reply/reply-threading.ts

@@ -9,12 +9,14 @@ export function resolveReplyToMode(
   cfg: ClawdbotConfig,
   channel?: OriginatingChannelType,
   accountId?: string | null,
+  chatType?: string | null,
 ): ReplyToMode {
   const provider = normalizeChannelId(channel);
   if (!provider) return "all";
   const resolved = getChannelDock(provider)?.threading?.resolveReplyToMode?.({
     cfg,
     accountId,
+    chatType,
   });
   return resolved ?? "all";
 }

src/channels/dock.ts

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import type { ClawdbotConfig } from "../config/config.js";
 import { resolveDiscordAccount } from "../discord/accounts.js";
 import { resolveIMessageAccount } from "../imessage/accounts.js";
 import { resolveSignalAccount } from "../signal/accounts.js";
-import { resolveSlackAccount } from "../slack/accounts.js";
+import { resolveSlackAccount, resolveSlackReplyToMode } from "../slack/accounts.js";
 import { buildSlackThreadingToolContext } from "../slack/threading-tool-context.js";
 import { resolveTelegramAccount } from "../telegram/accounts.js";
 import { normalizeE164 } from "../utils.js";
@@ -224,8 +224,8 @@ const DOCKS: Record<ChatChannelId, ChannelDock> = {
       resolveRequireMention: resolveSlackGroupRequireMention,
     },
     threading: {
-      resolveReplyToMode: ({ cfg, accountId }) =>
-        resolveSlackAccount({ cfg, accountId }).replyToMode ?? "off",
+      resolveReplyToMode: ({ cfg, accountId, chatType }) =>
+        resolveSlackReplyToMode(resolveSlackAccount({ cfg, accountId }), chatType),
       allowTagsWhenOff: true,
       buildToolContext: (params) => buildSlackThreadingToolContext(params),
     },

src/channels/plugins/types.core.ts

@@ -198,6 +198,7 @@ export type ChannelThreadingAdapter = {
   resolveReplyToMode?: (params: {
     cfg: ClawdbotConfig;
     accountId?: string | null;
+    chatType?: string | null;
   }) => "off" | "first" | "all";
   allowTagsWhenOff?: boolean;
   buildToolContext?: (params: {

src/config/types.slack.ts

@@ -117,6 +117,11 @@ export type SlackAccountConfig = {
   reactionAllowlist?: Array<string | number>;
   /** Control reply threading when reply tags are present (off|first|all). */
   replyToMode?: ReplyToMode;
+  /**
+   * Optional per-chat-type reply threading overrides.
+   * Example: { direct: "all", group: "first", channel: "off" }.
+   */
+  replyToModeByChatType?: Partial<Record<"direct" | "group" | "channel", ReplyToMode>>;
   /** Thread session behavior. */
   thread?: SlackThreadConfig;
   actions?: SlackActionConfig;

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

@@ -280,6 +280,14 @@ export const SlackThreadSchema = z
   })
   .strict();
 
+const SlackReplyToModeByChatTypeSchema = z
+  .object({
+    direct: ReplyToModeSchema.optional(),
+    group: ReplyToModeSchema.optional(),
+    channel: ReplyToModeSchema.optional(),
+  })
+  .strict();
+
 export const SlackAccountSchema = z
   .object({
     name: z.string().optional(),
@@ -307,6 +315,7 @@ export const SlackAccountSchema = z
     reactionNotifications: z.enum(["off", "own", "all", "allowlist"]).optional(),
     reactionAllowlist: z.array(z.union([z.string(), z.number()])).optional(),
     replyToMode: ReplyToModeSchema.optional(),
+    replyToModeByChatType: SlackReplyToModeByChatTypeSchema.optional(),
     thread: SlackThreadSchema.optional(),
     actions: z
       .object({

src/plugin-sdk/index.ts

@@ -230,6 +230,7 @@ export {
   listSlackAccountIds,
   resolveDefaultSlackAccountId,
   resolveSlackAccount,
+  resolveSlackReplyToMode,
   type ResolvedSlackAccount,
 } from "../slack/accounts.js";
 export { slackOnboardingAdapter } from "../channels/plugins/onboarding/slack.js";

src/slack/accounts.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import type { ClawdbotConfig } from "../config/config.js";
 import type { SlackAccountConfig } from "../config/types.js";
+import { normalizeChatType } from "../channels/chat-type.js";
 import { DEFAULT_ACCOUNT_ID, normalizeAccountId } from "../routing/session-key.js";
 import { resolveSlackAppToken, resolveSlackBotToken } from "./token.js";
 
@@ -20,6 +21,7 @@ export type ResolvedSlackAccount = {
   reactionNotifications?: SlackAccountConfig["reactionNotifications"];
   reactionAllowlist?: SlackAccountConfig["reactionAllowlist"];
   replyToMode?: SlackAccountConfig["replyToMode"];
+  replyToModeByChatType?: SlackAccountConfig["replyToModeByChatType"];
   actions?: SlackAccountConfig["actions"];
   slashCommand?: SlackAccountConfig["slashCommand"];
   dm?: SlackAccountConfig["dm"];
@@ -95,6 +97,7 @@ export function resolveSlackAccount(params: {
     reactionNotifications: merged.reactionNotifications,
     reactionAllowlist: merged.reactionAllowlist,
     replyToMode: merged.replyToMode,
+    replyToModeByChatType: merged.replyToModeByChatType,
     actions: merged.actions,
     slashCommand: merged.slashCommand,
     dm: merged.dm,
@@ -107,3 +110,15 @@ export function listEnabledSlackAccounts(cfg: ClawdbotConfig): ResolvedSlackAcco
     .map((accountId) => resolveSlackAccount({ cfg, accountId }))
     .filter((account) => account.enabled);
 }
+
+export function resolveSlackReplyToMode(
+  account: ResolvedSlackAccount,
+  chatType?: string | null,
+): "off" | "first" | "all" {
+  const normalized = normalizeChatType(chatType ?? undefined);
+  const overrides = account.replyToModeByChatType;
+  if (normalized && overrides && overrides[normalized] !== undefined) {
+    return overrides[normalized] ?? "off";
+  }
+  return account.replyToMode ?? "off";
+}

src/slack/threading-tool-context.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+
+import type { ClawdbotConfig } from "../config/config.js";
+import { buildSlackThreadingToolContext } from "./threading-tool-context.js";
+
+const emptyCfg = {} as ClawdbotConfig;
+
+describe("buildSlackThreadingToolContext", () => {
+  it("uses top-level replyToMode by default", () => {
+    const cfg = {
+      channels: {
+        slack: { replyToMode: "first" },
+      },
+    } as ClawdbotConfig;
+    const result = buildSlackThreadingToolContext({
+      cfg,
+      accountId: null,
+      context: { ChatType: "channel" },
+    });
+    expect(result.replyToMode).toBe("first");
+  });
+
+  it("uses chat-type replyToMode overrides for direct messages when configured", () => {
+    const cfg = {
+      channels: {
+        slack: {
+          replyToMode: "off",
+          replyToModeByChatType: { direct: "all" },
+        },
+      },
+    } as ClawdbotConfig;
+    const result = buildSlackThreadingToolContext({
+      cfg,
+      accountId: null,
+      context: { ChatType: "direct" },
+    });
+    expect(result.replyToMode).toBe("all");
+  });
+
+  it("uses top-level replyToMode for channels when no channel override is set", () => {
+    const cfg = {
+      channels: {
+        slack: {
+          replyToMode: "off",
+          replyToModeByChatType: { direct: "all" },
+        },
+      },
+    } as ClawdbotConfig;
+    const result = buildSlackThreadingToolContext({
+      cfg,
+      accountId: null,
+      context: { ChatType: "channel" },
+    });
+    expect(result.replyToMode).toBe("off");
+  });
+
+  it("falls back to top-level when no chat-type override is set", () => {
+    const cfg = {
+      channels: {
+        slack: {
+          replyToMode: "first",
+        },
+      },
+    } as ClawdbotConfig;
+    const result = buildSlackThreadingToolContext({
+      cfg,
+      accountId: null,
+      context: { ChatType: "direct" },
+    });
+    expect(result.replyToMode).toBe("first");
+  });
+
+  it("uses all mode when ThreadLabel is present", () => {
+    const cfg = {
+      channels: {
+        slack: { replyToMode: "off" },
+      },
+    } as ClawdbotConfig;
+    const result = buildSlackThreadingToolContext({
+      cfg,
+      accountId: null,
+      context: { ChatType: "channel", ThreadLabel: "some-thread" },
+    });
+    expect(result.replyToMode).toBe("all");
+  });
+
+  it("defaults to off when no replyToMode is configured", () => {
+    const result = buildSlackThreadingToolContext({
+      cfg: emptyCfg,
+      accountId: null,
+      context: { ChatType: "direct" },
+    });
+    expect(result.replyToMode).toBe("off");
+  });
+});

src/slack/threading-tool-context.ts

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import type {
   ChannelThreadingToolContext,
 } from "../channels/plugins/types.js";
 import type { ClawdbotConfig } from "../config/config.js";
-import { resolveSlackAccount } from "./accounts.js";
+import { resolveSlackAccount, resolveSlackReplyToMode } from "./accounts.js";
 
 export function buildSlackThreadingToolContext(params: {
   cfg: ClawdbotConfig;
@@ -11,11 +11,11 @@ export function buildSlackThreadingToolContext(params: {
   context: ChannelThreadingContext;
   hasRepliedRef?: { value: boolean };
 }): ChannelThreadingToolContext {
-  const configuredReplyToMode =
-    resolveSlackAccount({
-      cfg: params.cfg,
-      accountId: params.accountId,
-    }).replyToMode ?? "off";
+  const account = resolveSlackAccount({
+    cfg: params.cfg,
+    accountId: params.accountId,
+  });
+  const configuredReplyToMode = resolveSlackReplyToMode(account, params.context.ChatType);
   const effectiveReplyToMode = params.context.ThreadLabel ? "all" : configuredReplyToMode;
   const threadId = params.context.MessageThreadId ?? params.context.ReplyToId;
   return {