> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sourcemedium.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Shared Slack and Slack Connect

> How the AI Analyst chooses a store when SourceMedium is in a Slack Connect channel, group DM, or shared thread.

The AI Analyst can answer in your workspace, in Slack Connect channels shared with SourceMedium, and in group DMs. Access is the **intersection** of what every external workspace in that conversation can see, not the union.

## Two ways the bot gets into Slack

1. **Install** the SourceMedium app in your workspace. See [Setup](/docs/ai-analyst/setup#installing-the-app) for the install URL and permissions.
2. **Share** SourceMedium into a Slack Connect channel. The channel can work without every company installing the app.

Direct messages and group DMs still require the app to be installed in **that person's** workspace.

In channels and group DMs, mention `@SourceMedium`. In a 1:1 DM, type normally.

## How store scope is chosen

| Situation                                      | What happens                                         |
| ---------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| One store everyone can see                     | Analysis runs on that store.                         |
| Several stores in the intersection             | You confirm a store. The thread stays on that store. |
| No store everyone can see                      | The bot refuses. It does not guess.                  |
| A SourceMedium teammate is also in the channel | They do not widen or switch your scope.              |

Once a thread is locked to a store, start a new thread to switch. Results in a shared channel are visible to everyone in that channel.

The selector can preselect your last-used store or the workspace default. Confirm with **Use this store** before analysis runs.

## Messages you may see

**I can't answer in this shared channel yet because one workspace isn't connected to SourceMedium.**
Ask an admin to connect that workspace, or use a channel where every company is already connected.

**I can't find a data scope that works for everyone here.**
The people in this conversation do not share a store. Move to an approved shared channel, or ask an admin to update access.

**I can't answer in this conversation; some people need the SourceMedium app installed.**
Each person in a DM or group DM needs the app installed in their own Slack workspace. Use an approved shared channel until then.

**This thread is scoped to a different organization.**
Your Slack account cannot use this thread's tenant. Start a new thread. In a channel, that new thread is still visible to the other participants.

**Access denied: your Slack account is not approved.**
Your email is not on this organization's allowlist. Ask your SourceMedium team to add the domain or the exact email.

**SourceMedium access for this workspace is currently paused.**
Billing or lifecycle has paused the workspace. Only SourceMedium can restore it.

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Multiple stores" icon="store" href="/docs/ai-analyst/multi-store-thread-scoping">
    How store confirmation works in DMs and channels.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Setup" icon="gear" href="/docs/ai-analyst/setup">
    Install URL, permissions, and who can use the bot.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>