# Slackbot can now start work from a message, reaction, or list update

> Event-Triggered Tasks and a new Workflow Builder step connect Slackbot to the moment work arrives, with approval settings still in the loop.

Canonical: https://stacktak.com/news/slackbot-event-triggered-tasks-workflow-builder
Author: Stacktak Editorial
Published: 2026-10-28T18:00:00Z
Modified: 2026-10-29T19:30:31Z

A customer update can sit in a channel until someone turns it into an action. Slack’s [October 28 release](https://slack.com/blog/news/slackbot-proactive-ai-updates) adds Event-Triggered Tasks, allowing Slackbot to respond to messages, emoji reactions, list changes, or a new channel.

Previously, Tasks started on a schedule or when requested in conversation. The new trigger adds another entry point, with a choice between asking for approval and acting automatically. Slack’s example uses a reaction on a customer update to create action items with suggested next steps and owners.

## Connect a fixed workflow to an agent conversation

Workflow Builder also gains a step that starts a Slackbot conversation using prompts, variables, skills, and knowledge sources. Structured results can pass back to the workflow. Separately, Slackbot Mini provides a floating window for working alongside another app.

The announcement describes these capabilities within Slackbot’s Advanced Features. Enterprise+ customers have no Advanced Features limits at launch; Slack says it may introduce limits later with 30 days’ notice. That should not be read as an unlimited entitlement for every plan.

For a first rollout, choose one channel event with a clear expected result. Check the approval behavior and the resulting action item before expanding the same trigger to other teams.

## Source

[Slack — Slackbot proactive updates, October 28](https://slack.com/blog/news/slackbot-proactive-ai-updates)