How to migrate from Slack to Layer UI

Estimated time: 1 weekend · 7 steps

Slack is a great chat app, but most chat conversations are about a customer (CRM record) or a project (task) that lives in another tool. Layer UI bundles chat with the CRM, tasks, and docs — and replaces $25/seat (Slack + Slack AI) with $12/seat. This guide walks through the migration.

1. Step 1

   Pick a migration weekend

   Slack-to-anything migrations are easiest over a weekend when message volume is low. Communicate the date a week in advance.

2. Step 2

   Export Slack channels

   In Slack, go to Workspace Settings → Import/Export Data → Export. Slack will email a JSON archive of all channels and uploaded files (typically ready in <1 hour for small workspaces).

3. Step 3

   Provision Layer UI workspace

   Create your Layer UI workspace ahead of the cut-over. Set up channels matching your Slack structure (typically: #general, #random, #announcements, plus per-team channels).

4. Step 4

   Import Slack messages

   In Layer UI's Chat module, click 'Import → Slack export', upload the .zip from Slack. Messages, threads, and file attachments import with original timestamps.

5. Step 5

   Redirect old Slack URLs (optional)

   Layer UI's redirect bridge can map old slack.com/archives URLs to their new Layer UI equivalents — useful if your team has links pinned in docs and emails.

6. Step 6

   Cut over

   On Monday morning, post in the old Slack pointing everyone to the new workspace. Set Slack to read-only for 30 days as a fallback.

7. Step 7

   Cancel Slack

   After 30 days of confident use, cancel the Slack subscription. Most teams save $25/seat/month vs Slack + Slack AI.