# Slack Developer Tools for in-Slack debugging

*Slack Developer Study Guide · Tools · Last updated October 21, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/slack-developer/tools/slack-developer-tools-for-in-slack-debugging*

What the Slack Developer Tools (SDT) app does inside Slack (inspect a message's Block Kit JSON, look up Web API methods, test an incoming webhook, find IDs and platform status), who can use it, and which jobs belong to the Slack CLI or Block Kit Builder instead.

- Certification: Salesforce Slack Developer
- Exam section: Tools
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/slack-developer

**Official exam objective:**

> Utilize Slack Developer Tools (SDT) when developing Slack apps.

## What the exam expects

- Use SDT's Inspect message shortcut to see the Block Kit JSON behind any message in a channel.
- Use `/sdt docs [method name]` for a method overview, `/sdt test_webhook [webhook url]` to test an incoming webhook, and `/sdt help` for the command list.
- Use SDT to find IDs for users, workspaces and orgs, and to check platform status, without leaving Slack.
- State who can use SDT: any user in a workspace where the app is installed.
- Tell SDT apart from the Slack CLI (`slack doctor`, `slack deploy`, `slack trigger`, `slack manifest`) and Block Kit Builder.

Key terms: **Slack Developer Tools (SDT)** (a Slack app that brings developer tools and docs into Slack); **Inspect message** (SDT's message shortcut that shows how a message was built); **`/sdt`** (SDT's slash command); **incoming webhook URL** (a unique URL that posts a JSON payload into one channel); **Slack CLI** (the terminal tool for creating, running and deploying apps).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| What SDT is | A Slack app that inspects message payloads and finds API docs, platform status and IDs | [Develop Efficient Apps with Bolt](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/choose-your-slack-development-path/build-slack-apps-with-bolt) |
| Entry points | App Home, message shortcuts and a slash command | [Develop Efficient Apps with Bolt](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/choose-your-slack-development-path/build-slack-apps-with-bolt) |
| Who can use it | Any user on a workspace where SDT is installed | [Develop Efficient Apps with Bolt](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/choose-your-slack-development-path/build-slack-apps-with-bolt) |
| Inspect message | Shows the Block Kit JSON used to construct a message; hover, more actions, Inspect | [Develop Efficient Apps with Bolt](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/choose-your-slack-development-path/build-slack-apps-with-bolt), [SDT on Slack Marketplace](https://slack.com/marketplace/APXEJ79UY-slack-developer-tools) |
| `/sdt docs [method name]` | Brief overview and implementation parameters of a Web API method | [Develop Efficient Apps with Bolt](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/choose-your-slack-development-path/build-slack-apps-with-bolt), [SDT on Slack Marketplace](https://slack.com/marketplace/APXEJ79UY-slack-developer-tools) |
| `/sdt test_webhook [webhook url]` | Sends a test payload to the webhook URL you supply | [Develop Efficient Apps with Bolt](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/choose-your-slack-development-path/build-slack-apps-with-bolt) |
| `/sdt help` | Lists commands and support information | [Develop Efficient Apps with Bolt](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/choose-your-slack-development-path/build-slack-apps-with-bolt) |
| Webhook URL | Contains a secret; never share it online | [Incoming webhooks](https://docs.slack.dev/messaging/sending-messages-using-incoming-webhooks) |
| `slack doctor` | Reports system and app dependency versions, not payloads | [slack doctor](https://docs.slack.dev/tools/slack-cli/reference/commands/slack_doctor) |

## Check yourself

- Which SDT entry point shows the Block Kit JSON behind an existing message?
- When would you run `/sdt test_webhook`?
- Why can a regular member, not an admin, use SDT?
- Why is `slack doctor` the wrong tool for reading a message's payload?

## Sources

- [Develop Efficient Apps with Bolt Framework for Slack](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/choose-your-slack-development-path/build-slack-apps-with-bolt)
- [Slack Developer Tools (Slack Marketplace)](https://slack.com/marketplace/APXEJ79UY-slack-developer-tools)
- [Sending messages using incoming webhooks](https://docs.slack.dev/messaging/sending-messages-using-incoming-webhooks)
- [slack doctor](https://docs.slack.dev/tools/slack-cli/reference/commands/slack_doctor)
- [slack deploy](https://docs.slack.dev/tools/slack-cli/reference/commands/slack_deploy)
- [slack trigger](https://docs.slack.dev/tools/slack-cli/reference/commands/slack_trigger)
- [slack manifest](https://docs.slack.dev/tools/slack-cli/reference/commands/slack_manifest)
- [Block Kit](https://docs.slack.dev/block-kit/)
- [Security best practices](https://docs.slack.dev/concepts/security/)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 3 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Slack Developer pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams