You can interact with Search Atlas Coworker in two ways inside Slack: via a **direct message (DM)** to the bot, or by **@mentioning** it in a channel. Each mode works slightly differently.

## Direct Messages (DMs)

DMs are the simplest way to use Search Atlas Coworker. Open a conversation with the Search Atlas Coworker bot and type your question or request directly. Search Atlas Coworker replies in the same DM thread.

**Best for:** personal research, sensitive data, one-on-one tasks, setting up routines.

## @Mentioning in a Channel

In any channel where Search Atlas Coworker has been added, you can trigger it by starting your message with **@Search Atlas Coworker**:

*"@Search Atlas Coworker What were our top 5 ranking pages last week?"*

Search Atlas Coworker will reply in a **thread** on your message — keeping the channel clean and the conversation organized.

**Best for:** sharing reports with your team, collaborative analysis, posting results visible to the whole channel.

## Adding Search Atlas Coworker to a Channel

1. Open the channel you want to add Search Atlas Coworker to.
2. Type **/invite @Search Atlas Coworker** in the message bar and press Enter.
3. Search Atlas Coworker is now active in that channel and will respond to @mentions.

## How Replies Work in Channels

- Search Atlas Coworker always replies in a thread to avoid flooding the main channel feed.
- When multiple team members @mention Search Atlas Coworker in the same channel, each request starts its own thread.
- Search Atlas Coworker can only see messages in threads it is part of — it does not read general channel history.

## Keeping Sensitive Data Private

If your request involves sensitive account data you do not want visible to everyone in a channel, use a DM instead of a public channel mention. Search Atlas Coworker's response in a DM is only visible to you.