How to Build Slack Approval Workflows with Zapier

Using Zapier, you can build Slack approval workflows that keep humans in control of powerful AI and automation. This guide walks you step by step through creating a flexible review process so your team can approve or reject actions before they affect customers, data, or production systems.

The approach below is based on the Slack approval pattern described in the original Zapier blog post about safe AI automation and can be adapted for marketing, operations, support, product, and more.

Why Add Human Approval to Zapier Automations

AI agents and no-code tools can act quickly, but that speed can introduce risk. By adding Slack approval into your Zapier workflows, you get a human in the loop wherever judgment or context is required.

Common reasons to add approvals include:

• Preventing AI from posting unreviewed content to customers.
• Protecting production data from accidental changes.
• Coordinating multi-team collaboration before anything is final.
• Documenting who approved each automated action.

In short, Zapier can automate the busywork while Slack approval keeps decisions accountable.

Plan Your Zapier Slack Approval Flow

Before you open the Zap editor, decide where you want humans to intervene. Clear planning makes your Zapier setup much easier.

Define the trigger for your Zapier workflow

Start by choosing what will kick off your approval flow. Some examples inspired by the original article:

• A new user signs up for a beta program.
• An AI tool drafts email copy or help center content.
• A sales opportunity changes stage in your CRM.
• A customer submits a support escalation form.

Whatever the source, the trigger will collect the data your team needs to see in Slack.

Decide what needs approval in Zapier

Next, decide what the workflow will actually do after it is approved. In the source example, a team member reviews a request in Slack and decides whether the automation should proceed.

Your downstream actions in Zapier might include:

• Sending approved emails to customers.
• Creating tasks or tickets in another app.
• Updating records in a database or CRM.
• Triggering a follow-up AI step such as summarization or classification.

Make sure the Slack message includes enough context so the reviewer can make a confident decision.

Step 1: Create the Base Zapier Automation

With your plan in place, build the core Zap that will eventually include Slack approval.

1. In Zapier, click Create Zap.

2. Select your Trigger app (for example, a form tool, CRM, or internal system).

3. Choose the exact Trigger event (such as “New Form Submission” or “New Record”).

4. Connect the app account and test the trigger so Zapier pulls in sample data.

At this stage, Zapier just listens for new events. You have not yet added any risky or irreversible actions.

Step 2: Add Slack Notification and Approval in Zapier

Now you will send a structured approval request to Slack so a teammate can review and decide what happens next.

Build the Slack message step

1. In the Zap editor, click + to add a new action after the trigger.

2. Search for and select Slack as the action app.

3. Choose an action like Send Direct Message or Send Channel Message, depending on who should approve.

4. Connect your Slack account to Zapier if you have not done so already.

5. Customize the message text to include key details coming from the trigger. For example:

   • Name and email of the requester.
   • Summary of what the automation will do.
   • Important notes, links, or context.

Use dynamic fields from the trigger so each Slack message contains live data for that specific request.

Include clear instructions in the Slack message

The article’s pattern emphasizes making the approval step explicit. In your Slack text, explain exactly how the approver should respond.

For example, you can ask them to reply with a specific word or emoji:

• Reply with APPROVE to continue the automation.
• Reply with REJECT to stop it.
• Reply with a short note if changes are needed.

Zapier will later look for that response in a follow-up step.

Step 3: Capture the Slack Response with Zapier

To turn a Slack response into a decision, you need a second Zapier workflow or additional steps that listen for the reply.

Option A: Use a Slack reply as a separate trigger

One way to mirror the approval example from the original article is to start a second Zap that listens for a reply or reaction.

1. Create a new Zap in Zapier.

2. Choose Slack as the trigger app.

3. Select a trigger such as New Message Posted to Channel or New Reaction Added, depending on how approvers will respond.

4. Use Filters or conditional logic to narrow to the specific thread or channel created by your first Slack step.

5. Parse the message text or reaction to see if the user approved or rejected.

Zapier can then branch the workflow based on that decision.

Option B: Use interactive elements and webhooks

If you want a more advanced setup similar to those used by technical teams, you can pair Zapier with Slack interactive components.

For example, your Slack message can include buttons like Approve and Deny that send payloads to a Webhook trigger in Zapier. This requires a bit more technical configuration but gives a smoother one-click experience for reviewers.

Step 4: Add Conditional Logic in Zapier

Once you have the approval decision, route your Zapier flow accordingly using filters or paths.

Use filters to continue only on approval

1. Add a Filter step after the Slack response trigger.

2. Set a rule like “Text contains APPROVE” or “Reaction is :white_check_mark:”.

3. If the condition is met, Zapier continues to the rest of the actions. If not, the Zap stops.

This simple pattern ensures the automation only runs when a human explicitly approves it in Slack.

Use paths for multiple outcomes

For more complex needs, you can create multiple branches:

• Path A: Approved – proceed with all downstream actions.
• Path B: Rejected – log the decision, notify the requester, and end.
• Path C: Needs changes – send the item back to a draft or review stage.

Paths make Zapier especially powerful when teams want nuanced decisions rather than a simple yes or no.

Step 5: Connect Approved Actions in Zapier

After the filter or paths, add the actions that should only occur once Slack approval is granted.

Depending on your use case, Zapier might:

• Create or update CRM records.
• Send emails through your email service provider.
• Post approved content to a CMS or knowledge base.
• Trigger AI tasks like drafting summaries or generating personalized follow-ups.

Keep irreversible actions at the end of the Zapier workflow so the Slack decision fully gates them.

Step 6: Test and Monitor Your Zapier Slack Workflow

Before rolling out the approval system to your entire team, test the flow thoroughly.

1. Run the Zap with sample data and verify the Slack message looks clear and informative.

2. Reply as the approver and confirm Zapier correctly interprets the decision.

3. Check that approved runs perform every intended action, and rejected ones stop cleanly.

4. Review Zap run history to confirm that audit trails show who approved each item.

Over time, you can refine message formatting, instructions, and conditions to reduce confusion and speed up approvals.

Best Practices for Safe AI Automation with Zapier

The original article on Slack approvals highlights a few core principles that apply whenever you mix AI, automation, and human review in Zapier.

• Default to safety: Assume automation will sometimes be wrong and require human judgment.
• Centralize decisions: Use Slack as a single place where reviewers see context and make calls.
• Make criteria explicit: Document guidelines so approvers know when to say yes or no.
• Log everything: Let Zapier’s task history and Slack messages serve as your audit trail.

By following these ideas, you can scale automation without losing oversight.

Where to Learn More About Zapier Approval Patterns

To see the original pattern and additional context for safe AI automation with Slack approvals, review the official blog article at Zapier Slack approval for AI automation. It offers a conceptual overview that pairs well with the practical steps you just learned.

If you are designing a larger automation strategy that spans many apps, you can also get expert guidance from consultants such as Consultevo, who specialize in building scalable, safe workflows.

By combining Slack, thoughtful human review, and well-structured workflows in Zapier, your team can confidently roll out AI and automation while keeping full control over every important decision.

Need Help With Zapier?

Work with ConsultEvo — a

Zapier Certified Solution Partner

helping teams build reliable, scalable automations that actually move the business forward.

Get Zapier Help