# Technique 1: Slack Workflow Builder

> :memo: This technique uses Workflow Builder, which requires
> [a Slack paid plan][plans].

This technique sends data to Slack using a webhook to start a workflow created
using Slack [Workflow Builder][wfb].

## Setup

The Slack app manifest included with each example showcases steps of a workflow
in [Workflow Builder][wfb] along with the [webhook trigger][triggers] inputs.

For details on how to setup this technique in GitHub Actions, read the [setup][setup] section of the docs.

## Example workflows

1. [**Format generated files**](#format-generated-files): Message outputs from
   prior steps.
2. [**Post release announcements**](#post-release-announcements): Share releases
   to a channel.
3. [**Update a channel topic**](#update-a-channel-topic): Highlight the current
   build status.

### Format generated files

Convert build outputs from earlier GitHub Action steps into a Slack message.

This example uses data from a payload file to [send a message][send_message] to
a hardcoded channel.

**Related files**:

- [`builds.data.json`](./builds.data.json): Payload file being sent.
- [`builds.gha.yml`](./builds.gha.yml): GitHub Actions workflow.
- [`builds.manifest.json`](./builds.manifest.json): Slack app manifest.
- [`builds.trigger.json`](./builds.trigger.json): Slack webhook trigger.

### Post release announcements

Select a channel to post news about the most recent release to.

This example uses [Slack functions][functions] and inline inputs to do the
following:

1. Open a form to select a channel.
2. Send a message to the selected channel.
3. React with a `:tada:` emoji.

**Related files**:

- [`announcements.gha.yml`](./announcements.gha.yml): GitHub Actions workflow.
- [`announcements.manifest.json`](./announcements.manifest.json): Slack app
  manifest.
- [`announcements.trigger.json`](./announcements.trigger.json): Slack webhook
  trigger.

### Update a channel topic

Show the latest commit status in the header of a channel.

This example uses the default GitHub event [context][event-context] and
[payload][event-payload] to [update a channel topic][update_channel_topic].

**Related files**:

- [`topic.gha.yml`](./topic.gha.yml): GitHub Actions workflow.
- [`topic.manifest.json`](./topic.manifest.json): Slack app manifest.
- [`topic.trigger.json`](./topic.trigger.json): Slack webhook trigger.

[event-context]: https://github.com/actions/toolkit/blob/main/packages/github/src/context.ts#L6
[event-payload]: https://docs.github.com/en/webhooks/webhook-events-and-payloads
[functions]: https://docs.slack.dev/tools/deno-slack-sdk/guides/creating-slack-functions/
[giphy]: https://giphy.com
[send_message]: https://docs.slack.dev/tools/deno-slack-sdk/reference/slack-functions/send_message
[plans]: https://slack.com/pricing
[setup]: https://docs.slack.dev/tools/slack-github-action/sending-techniques/sending-data-webhook-slack-workflow/
[triggers]: https://docs.slack.dev/tools/deno-slack-sdk/guides/creating-webhook-triggers/
[update_channel_topic]: https://docs.slack.dev/tools/deno-slack-sdk/reference/slack-functions/update_channel_topic
[wfb]: https://slack.com/features/workflow-automation