Talk to Viktor
Where Viktor replies in Slack and Microsoft Teams, what makes him reply, and who can use him.
You talk to Viktor the way you talk to a teammate: send him a direct message, or @mention him in a channel. This page explains when he replies, when he stays quiet, and what happens to messages you send while he works.
Talk to Viktor in Slack
Send a direct message
- Open Viktor's DM in Slack.
- Write your request and send it.
Viktor replies to every message in a 1:1 DM. An hourglass reaction (⏳) appears on your message while he works. He keeps his reply in the same DM thread.
Mention Viktor in a channel
- Make sure Viktor is a member of the channel.
- Write your message and include @Viktor.
Viktor replies in a thread under your message. This works in public and private channels.
Where Viktor replies and where he stays quiet
| You do this | Viktor does this |
|---|---|
| Send a message in his 1:1 DM | Replies every time. |
| @mention him in a channel | Replies in a thread under your message. |
| Post in a channel without mentioning him | Does not reply. He saves the message as channel context he can read later. |
| Write in a group DM that includes him | Replies only when you @mention him. Other messages are saved without a reply. |
| @mention him in a thread he is already part of | Replies right away, and keeps his answer in the tone and length of the discussion. |
| Reply without a mention in a thread he started | Reads it right away, but decides whether to answer. He stays silent unless someone addresses him, asks him something, or gives feedback on his own work. |
| Reply without a mention in a thread that began with an @mention of him | Waits for 30 seconds of quiet, then reads all new messages together once and decides whether to answer. |
| Reply in a channel thread he was never part of | Does not reply. The message is saved for context. |
Messages from other bots
Viktor ignores messages from other bots, unless a bot @mentions him in a channel. Bot messages in DMs and group DMs never trigger him, and Viktor never triggers himself.
While Viktor is working
For work that takes a while, Viktor usually posts a short "Working on it" note first. When he finishes, he posts the result and @mentions you. If his answer is long, he posts a short summary and puts the full details in a reply. This comes from his instructions, so the exact wording varies.
If you send more messages while he is still working:
- Messages addressed to him (in his DM, with an @mention, or in a thread he started) are passed to the running job and get an hourglass reaction.
- Unmentioned chatter in a thread that began with an @mention is recorded while the run is active, but does not start a new reply.
To stop a run, see chat commands.
Edit or delete a message
If you edit or delete a message in a thread Viktor is following, he does not reply to the change. The edit (old and new text) or the deletion is added to the thread history, and he sees it on his next turn. To get a new answer, send a new message or @mention him again.
Give Viktor standing instructions for a channel
Ask Viktor in a channel to always follow certain instructions there, for example "@Viktor in this channel, always answer in German." He saves them as instructions for that channel, kept to at most 10 short lines, and applies them the next time he is mentioned there.
Talk to Viktor in Microsoft Teams
| Where | When Viktor replies |
|---|---|
| 1:1 chat | Every message. |
| Group chat | Only when you @mention him. |
| Channel | When you @mention him, and to replies in threads he is following. |
A ⌛ reaction shows while he works. If Viktor can't process your message before any work starts, he replies: "⚠️ Sorry, I couldn't process that message. Please send it again in a moment."
If someone in Teams messages Viktor before their organization has signed up, Viktor replies with a sign-up card. Typing help or commands shows an introduction card instead.
Who can use Viktor
Admins decide who can use Viktor in Settings → Permissions → Who can use Viktor (open it). Only admins can change these settings. Admins can always use Viktor, even when the list is restricted.
When someone who is not allowed sends Viktor a request in Slack, they get a private message that only they can see. For example:
- "Viktor is limited to specific people on this workspace, and you're not on the list yet. Ask a Viktor admin to add you under Settings → Permissions → Who can use Viktor."
- "A Viktor admin has blocked you from using Viktor on this workspace. Ask a Viktor admin to unblock you under Settings → Permissions → Who can use Viktor."
- "Slack guest users don't have access to Viktor on this workspace."
- "Guests can't use Viktor in this channel. Ask your team admin to allow guest access here."
Deactivated members are ignored without a message. For the full settings, see workspace permissions.
Slack Connect (external) channels
In a channel shared with another company, Viktor does not post straight away. Each message he writes first appears only to the person who asked, as a private preview with the note "In external channels, Viktor messages should be approved by you before posting to help avoid leaking sensitive information. Admins can make this automatic in settings."
- Read the preview.
- Click Post here to post it in the channel, or Reject to discard it.
Only Post here makes the message visible to everyone.
Admins manage external channels in Settings → Permissions → Slack Connect channels (open it). For each channel they can set Who can prompt, and whether Replies in threads and New posts by Viktor are sent automatically (Auto-send) or need a preview (Preview required). If an external participant who isn't allowed to prompt Viktor tries, they get a private message asking them to sign up for Viktor, or to ask the workspace's admin to enable external participant access for the channel.
Limits by plan and permission
- Plan: no plan-specific limits apply to how you talk to Viktor. Every run uses credits. When the workspace is out of credits, Viktor tells you instead of starting the work. See running out of credits.
- Members: anyone allowed under Who can use Viktor can DM or mention him.
- Admins: change who can use Viktor, guest access and Slack Connect channel rules.
Common problems
Viktor doesn't reply to my channel message. Top-level channel messages need an @mention. Also check that Viktor is a member of the channel.
Viktor didn't answer my reply in a thread. In threads he started, or that began with an @mention, Viktor decides whether a reply is needed. @mention him when you need an answer: a mention is always handled right away.
My reply took about 30 seconds to be picked up. Unmentioned replies in a thread that began with an @mention wait for 30 seconds of quiet, so Viktor can read the whole exchange at once. @mention him to skip the wait.
I got a private "limited to specific people" message. An admin has restricted who can use Viktor. Ask an admin to add you.
Viktor's message in a shared channel is only visible to me. That is the external channel preview. Click Post here.
For other issues, see Viktor is not responding.