Skip to main content

​
What It Does

  • Automates file cleanup in Slack so your channels stay focused and uncluttered.
  • Ensures sensitive or outdated documents are removed on schedule to maintain compliance.
  • Frees up storage and keeps your workspace tidy without manual effort.
  • Gives you visibility into who deleted what and when, for audit readiness.

​
🏁 Getting Started

Slack Delete File Node config screenshot
1

Select Slack App

Choose your connected Slack workspace to run the deletion.
2

Configure Inputs

Pick the channel and file you want to delete.

​
Inputs

​
🛠️ Required Fields

  • Slack App (✅)
    Select which Slack connection to use for removing files.
    Why it matters: Ensures the node has the right permissions to delete files in your workspace.
  • Channel (✅)
    The public or private channel, direct message, or user/group where the file lives.
    Why it matters: Targets the correct conversation so you don’t accidentally delete files elsewhere.
  • File ID (✅)
    The unique identifier for the file you want to delete.
    Why it matters: Precisely selects which file to remove, avoiding any guesswork.

​
🎯 Optional Fields

None

​
Output

When the node runs, it returns a confirmation object indicating success or failure. You’ll get:
  • ok: Boolean flag for success.
  • file: Metadata about the deleted file (ID, name, channels).
Use this output to trigger downstream notifications or logs in your workflow.
Slack Delete File Node output screenshot
If the file doesn’t exist or you lack permissions, the node returns an error message you can catch downstream.

​
How It Works

  1. Reads your selected Slack workspace connection.
  2. Identifies the channel and file by the provided IDs.
  3. Calls Slack’s files.delete method behind the scenes.
  4. Emits a success/failure response for your workflow to handle.

​
🚀 Example Use Cases & Prompts

Use CaseSetup or Prompt Example
Clean Up Old Assets“Delete yesterday’s report attachment from #campaign-updates.”
Security Compliance“Remove files older than 90 days from private HR channel.”
Mistaken Upload Correction“Delete the file with ID sent to the wrong user.”

​
✨ Pro Tips

  • Confirm your Slack app has the files:write scope to delete files.
  • Use dynamic variables like @FileID so you can delete files generated earlier in the flow.
  • Chain with notifications: after deletion, message the channel that cleanup is done.

​
⚠️ Important Considerations

  • Only files your Slack app can access (based on its scopes) can be deleted.
  • Deletion is irreversible—test carefully in a sandbox workspace first.
  • Large or starred files may require extra permissions to remove.

​
🛠 Troubleshooting & Gotchas

SymptomLikely CauseQuick Fix
Permission errorMissing files:write scopeAdd files:write to your Slack app and reconnect.
File not foundWrong File ID or channel mismatchVerify the file and conversation IDs are correct.
Unexpected errorWorkspace rate limitRetry after a few seconds or implement backoff logic.

​
📝 FAQ

Yes — as long as your Slack app is a member of that private channel.
The node returns ok: false with an error message you can catch downstream.
This is an action node — it performs the file deletion when your flow runs.

​
💰 Pricing

ActionCredit Cost
Delete File (per action)Free
Action nodes like “Delete File” are free and don’t consume credits.
Trigger nodes that start workflows cost credits per event.

Ready to keep your Slack workspace clutter-free? Drop in the Delete File node and automate your cleanup — effortlessly. 🚀