Upgrade the Confluence Cloud + Slack integration to granular permissions

[#1]

We are updating the Confluence Cloud + Slack Integration to use Slack’s shiny new granular permissions. This allows our app to ask for only the permissions it needs and makes it more reliable. For this update, action is required by Slack admins of workspaces using the Confluence Cloud + Slack integration.

What are granular permissions?

Slack has required that all integration apps update to support their new granular permissions model. Before granular permissions, “classic” apps using a bot token received a broad set of scopes, and developers did not have a way to pick and choose the information their app actually accessed. Now, with granular permissions, developers can specify only the exact, minimal scopes needed for their app to function

Apps using granular permissions are also more reliable as they can remain in a workspace even if the app installer leaves the company, reducing unwanted interruptions. Furthermore, granular permissions provide a wider set of scopes that we as developers can cherry-pick in the future to add cool new features that wouldn’t be possible with classic apps.

What do Slack admins need to do?

Slack Admins are required to upgrade permissions for the Confluence Cloud + Slack integration in their workspaces by January 28, 2021, when the old version of the integration will no longer work. Upgrading is super simple and should only take a minute.

What happens if an admin doesn’t upgrade?

We strongly recommend upgrading well before the deadline once the upgrade becomes available on January 13, 2021. Until an admin upgrades the app:

1. New users will not be able to log in to the app and access its features

2. Any new features will not be available to your team

3. On January 28, 2021, the old version of the app will no longer work, and Slack admins will continue to receive reminders to upgrade. Upgrading will immediately make the app work as expected.

How does a Slack admin upgrade the integration?

1. A few days before the upgrade becomes available, admins receive a message letting them know that they will need to upgrade the app soon. No action is yet required at this point, it is just a heads up.

2. On January 13, 2021, the upgrade will actually become available and admins will receive a message with a button to "Update permissions" which will begin the simple upgrade process.

3. Clicking “Update permissions” will let admins view and accept the new granular permissions. If you are a member of multiple Slack workspaces, make sure you are upgrading for the correct workspace in the Workspace switcher in the top right corner of the page.

4. Click “Allow” and you’re all done! Your Confluence Cloud + Slack integration is now on Slack’s shiny new granular permissions 🎉 

You can disregard past update messages as you are on the most up-to-date and supported version of the app. New members will be able to log in, and you will have access to all new future features. 

Will upgrading the app cause any interruptions with the app or our Slack experience?

No. Upgrading will not negatively impact your app or Slack experience. There will be no interruptions. Everything will still continue to work as normal as you upgrade and after you upgrade.

[Sarah Henzel]

Hello, I still have not received my message to update permissions, is this still planning on going out today? Thank you!

[David Michelson]

@Sarah Henzel thank you for commenting! We are progressively messaging all admins with the Confluence Cloud Slack app, you should receive it some time soon, either today or tomorrow.

[Mark Anderson]

When I click on the "Update Permissions" tab I get this error:  

[JeongWoo Park]

Hi there,

I haven't received the update permission message, is there way to trigger this manually?

[David Michelson]

@Mark Anderson If you try again, are you able to successfully upgrade?

@JeongWoo Park It's possible that you may not be an admin of your Slack workspace, in that case you will not have received a message. You can trigger the update manually by clicking this installation URL: https://confluence-chats-integr.services.atlassian.com/api/slack/teams/login

[Mark Anderson]

@David Michelson Yes It worked once I logged out of the Slack admin page and clicked on the Update Now link.

Thanks!

[Brandon Meixel]

Thanks, that link worked!