Get messages from a channel in chronological order. Use this when: 1) You need the latest conversation flow without specific filters, 2) You want ALL messages including bot/automation messages, 3) You need to browse messages sequentially with pagination. Do NOT use if you have specific search cri...
AI agents call slack_get_channel_history to retrieve information from Simple Slack without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries and retrieves existing data (channel history/messages) without modifying, deleting, or executing any actions. The instruction to use slack_search_messages for filtered queries confirms this is a passive retrieval function. No data is created, modified, or destroyed. Low severity due to limited blast radius—misuse would only expose message content already visible to the user in Slack.
From the tool's definition Tool retrieves messages from a channel in chronological order with pagination. Description explicitly states "Get messages" and instructs use for browsing conversation flow without side effects.
Risk signalsBulk/mass operation — affects multiple targets
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get messages from a channel in chronological order. Use this when: 1) You need the latest conversation flow without specific filters, 2) You want ALL messages including bot/automation messages, 3) You need to browse messages sequentially with pagination. Do NOT use if you have specific search criteria (user, keywords, dates) - use slack_search_messages instead. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Simple Slack MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Simple Slack MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for slack_get_channel_history: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Simple Slack. Nothing to install.
slack_get_channel_history is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the slack_get_channel_history rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for slack_get_channel_history. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
slack_get_channel_history is provided by the Simple Slack MCP server (bugzy-ai/slack-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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