Introduction to SlackVault
SlackVault is a zero-cost Slack backup and archive platform. It lets you save every message, file, and conversation from your Slack workspace into storage you control — your own Firebase project and FilesHub account — and then browse, search, and export that archive whenever you need it.
Unlike a hosted vendor backup, SlackVault never stores your data on a SlackVault server. The browser extension syncs locally, a small Cloudflare Worker handles only the Slack OAuth handshake, and everything ends up in your infrastructure. If SlackVault disappeared tomorrow, your archive would still be sitting in your Firebase, in standard formats you can read with any tool.
Why SlackVault exists
Slack's free plan limits how far back you can see your own history, and even paid plans don't make it easy to keep a portable, searchable, offline copy. SlackVault solves that with three principles:
- Your data stays yours. Messages, files, channels, and users live in your own Firebase project. SlackVault has no database of your content.
- Zero ongoing cost. It runs entirely on free tiers — Firebase free tier, a Cloudflare Worker for OAuth, FilesHub for files, and a browser extension that does the work locally.
- Fast setup. A typical first-time setup takes about five minutes.
The four surfaces
SlackVault is one product made of four cooperating pieces:
| Surface | What it does |
|---|---|
| Website / web app | Product site, onboarding, and the archive viewer (browse, search, export). Lives at slackvault.aoneahsan.com. Also ships as an Android app. |
| Browser extension | A Manifest V3 extension that performs the actual Slack sync, locally in your browser. |
| Cloudflare Worker | Handles ONLY the Slack OAuth code exchange and token refresh — your Slack client secret never reaches the website or extension. |
| Slack app | The Slack app definition (manifest + read-only OAuth scopes) you install into your workspace. |
For how these connect, see Architecture.
What SlackVault does not do
Honesty matters more than hype:
- It cannot modify your Slack workspace. Every OAuth scope it requests is read-only — it cannot post messages, delete content, or change settings.
- It can only back up channels you have access to. Private channels require you to be a member.
- It is not a real-time mirror. You choose the sync cadence (manual, every 6/12 hours, or daily); the first sync captures history, later syncs are incremental.
- Very large workspaces can exceed Firebase's free tier; see Firebase setup for the limits.
Where to go next
- New here? Start with the Installation overview, then the Quick Start.
- Setting up the pieces? See Create the Slack app, Configure Firebase, and the Browser extension guide.
- Want the full picture? Read the Feature catalog and Architecture.
- Got a question? The FAQ covers security, storage, cost, and usage.
Built and maintained by Ahsan Mahmood.