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# Direct Message

> Sends a direct message to a Slack user.

The Direct Message node sends a private message to one Slack user. Use it to
reach the right person directly, such as the owner of an account or the teammate
who needs to act, rather than posting to a whole channel. The message can be
fixed text or built from values the run gathered.

## When to use it

* You want to notify one specific person, like the account owner for a new lead.
* The message is meant for an individual rather than a whole team.
* You want a quiet nudge that does not clutter a shared channel.

## Inputs

| Field     | What it's for                                                                    | Example                                     |
| --------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| Recipient | The Slack user to message.                                                       | The account owner's Slack user              |
| Message   | The text of the message.                                                         | `New renewal completed for Marcus Johnson.` |
| Bot Token | The stored credential that lets the workflow message on Slack, kept as a secret. | `slack_bot_token`                           |

The message can be written as an
[expression](/platform/workflows/core-concepts/expressions/using-expressions-in-nodes) or a
[string template](/platform/workflows/core-concepts/expressions/string-templates) so it
reflects what the run did.

## Outputs

The Direct Message node reports whether the message was sent. There is no other
value to read back. If it fails, you can route the run to handle the problem.

## Example

When a renewal is completed for Marcus Johnson, a workflow sends a direct message
to the agent who owns his account, letting them know it is done and ready for
follow-up. Because it goes straight to that one person, it lands as a personal
nudge rather than another post in a busy channel.

![The Direct Message configuration panel, showing the recipient, message, and connection fields.](https://fdr-prod-docs-files-public.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/gail.docs.buildwithfern.com/655285b5bb9a081151a53bc7000cab9d82821c87d716c858caa035a6d81c0aee/docs/pages/platform/workflows/assets/communication-direct-message.png?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Content-Sha256=UNSIGNED-PAYLOAD&X-Amz-Credential=AKIA6KXJSKKNFOCF7G4B%2F20260823%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20260823T232845Z&X-Amz-Expires=604800&X-Amz-Signature=d9216116755fa52b560ccf609bc17ccf1b1f3407a4d9a392c29550c56a810ee8&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&x-amz-checksum-mode=ENABLED&x-id=GetObject)

This node needs a connected Slack account. Connect Slack once from the
[Marketplace](https://app.meetgail.com/marketplace), and store the Slack
credential as a [secret](/platform/workflows/core-concepts/secrets) rather than typing it
into the node. The recipient is a specific Slack user, so make sure you have the
right person before the run reaches this step.

## Related nodes

#### [Channel Message](/platform/workflows/node-reference/communication/channel-message)

Post to a whole Slack channel instead of one person.

#### [Send Email](/platform/workflows/node-reference/communication/send-email)

Reach someone by email rather than Slack.

#### [Send SMS](/platform/workflows/node-reference/communication/send-sms)

Notify someone by text message.

#### [Conditional](/platform/workflows/node-reference/logic-and-flow/conditional)

Decide who to message based on an earlier result.