TriggerSlackReal-timeUpdated May 2026
How do I trigger when a specific word appears in Slack?
Short answer: Drop the "Slack → Keyword Mentioned" trigger on your workflow canvas, add filters if you want them, and publish. It fires within seconds of the event in Slack, not on a polling schedule.
Anatomy
What this trigger looks like in a workflow.
Drop it on the canvas. Configure a couple of fields. Publish.
In the builder
Trigger
Keyword Mentioned
When the matching event happens
keywordphrase mentionedsearch matchbrand monitoringoutage alertwatch for wordwhen a keyword is mentionedfire on keyword
What this trigger returns
for the curiousYou don’t need to read this. Tiny Command auto-maps every field into the visual picker so downstream nodes can pull values by clicking. We show it here for power users who want to know what’s on the wire.
{"raw": {},"text": "We have an outage on the API gateway","user": "U1234567890","channel": "C1234567890","timestamp": "1712835600.000100","channel_type": "channel"}
Output shape
Fields available to downstream nodes.
Every field below can be referenced by name in any action or filter that comes after this trigger.
| Field | Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| raw | object | { … } |
| text | string | "We have an outage on the API gateway" |
| user | string | "U1234567890" |
| channel | string | "C1234567890" |
| timestamp | string | "1712835600.000100" |
| channel_type | string | "channel" |
Pairs with
Drop these actions after Keyword Mentioned.
FAQ
Questions about Keyword Mentioned.
How does the Keyword Mentioned trigger work in Slack?
Fires when a specific word or phrase appears in any Slack message. Use it for brand monitoring, escalation on words like "outage", or routing customer mentions.
Is the Keyword Mentioned trigger real-time?
Yes. Keyword Mentioned uses webhooks or push subscriptions, not polling. Your workflow fires within seconds of the event happening in Slack.
What data does Keyword Mentioned return?
The full event payload from Slack. The output shape table on this page lists every field, its type, and an example value so you can map fields into downstream nodes.
Can I filter Keyword Mentioned so only some events start a workflow?
Yes. Add a Filter node right after the trigger and match on any field, whether that's subject, sender, status, or anything else in the payload. Workflows only continue when the filter passes.
Do I need Slack admin permissions to use Keyword Mentioned?
For most Slack accounts a standard user can authorize the trigger. Some Slack plans require an admin to enable third-party webhooks. Check Slack's docs if the trigger fails to register.
More triggers
Other Slack triggers.
Trigger
App Home Opened
Fires when a user opens your Slack app's Home tab or DM. Useful for refreshing the Home view, lazy-loading user-specific data, or tracking app engagement.
TriggerApp Mentioned
Fires when your Slack app is mentioned in a message. The standard hook for chatbots that answer when summoned with @your-app.
TriggerNew Channel
Fires when a new Slack channel is created in the workspace. Useful for auto-adding the bot, welcome messages, or governance audit logs.
TriggerCustom Emoji Changed
Fires when a custom emoji is added, removed, or renamed in your Slack workspace. Use the subtype output to differentiate (add / remove / rename).
TriggerFile Made Public
Fires when a file is made public via "Get a public link". Use it to audit external sharing or to kick off DLP/security flows.
Build a workflow on this trigger.
One trigger. 45+ downstream actions. Zero glue.
