I can't auth to my workspace with Google

[sixhobbits]

Describe the bug

I use Google Auth to log into Slack, so I need to use the 'User Browser' option. Whenever I try to do that I get this error.

2025-06-16 15:16:05 ERROR 004 (Authentication Error): auth error: auth error:
                      │   browser automation error: failed to launch, you may
                      │   need to close your browser first: [launcher] Failed to
                      │   get the debug url: Opening in existing browser
                      │   session. .

I got this in Edge and Chrome (the two options I see).

If I completely quit Chrome and try again, I get

2025-06-16 15:18:03 INFO  ℹ️ Initialising browser, once the browser appears,
                      │   login as usual

But it hangs on this screen and I can't get any further.

Authentication type (please read)

specify the SSO type, i.e. Google

Google, but can't even get to the step where I choose that.

To Reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:

• Have an m1 macbook
• Install slackdump with brew install slackdump
• Run slackdump archive
• Choose `Login in browser'
• Type workspace name acme
• Choose User Browser
• Choose Google Chrome

Expected behavior

I'd expect to see my other browsers too (Firefox and Safari) in the options screen.

I'd expect Google Chrome or Edge to show me the slack login page and to let me login with Google.

Output
If applicable, add output to help explain your problem.

2025-06-16 15:16:05 ERROR 004 (Authentication Error): auth error: auth error:
                      │   browser automation error: failed to launch, you may
                      │   need to close your browser first: [launcher] Failed to
                      │   get the debug url: Opening in existing browser
                      │   session. .

Desktop (please complete the following information):

• OS: Macos
• OS Version: 15.3.1 (24D70)
• Slackdump Version: Slackdump 3.1.4 (commit: Homebrew) built on: 2025-06-01T12:04:18Z

Additional context

I also tried with a .env file with token and cookie and it didn't work but I'll open a separate issue for that

[rusq]

Thanks for the report @sixhobbits, I'll have a look tonight.

[rusq]

Can confirm that Chrome cannot be started in User mode, unfortunately it is caused by the upstream library, here's the issue: go-rod/rod#1189. I'll keep an eye on that issue.

You have two alternative options:

1. Use Brave browser - I tested it and it worked. Did you say that it fails with Edge?
2. Try fetching token by d=cookie, for this - in your Google Chrome, grab the d= cookie as described in this doc, follow steps 1-5 of the linked section, the do the following:

---

1. Start slackdump in wizard mode: sd wiz
2. Choose Workspace -> New
3. Choose "Cookie and Workspace name"
4. Follow the prompts and paste the cookie value into the Session Cookie field.

This is relatively new method and may fail too, but most likely it will work.

[sixhobbits]

Thanks I used option 2 and it's running now!

[rusq]

Great news, thanks for the update! I'll add this workaround to the docs.

[alright5267]

Hi @rusq . I'm sorry to report that the option 2 doesn't work again. When I fill in Workspace Name, Session cookie and confirm it, it gives a error message "token not found". Moreover, the browser which had the active login session is logged out automatically with Slack. I need to re-login with Google SSO (but no need to reauthenticate with Google). It's just a loop which never ends. Can you please take a look at this issue again?

[rusq]

Hey @alright5267, I re-tested (on master branch) and it works on my machine ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I could suggest installing Brave and see if that works?

The steps would be:

• Install Brave
• Login into your slack workspace using Google
• Close Brave
• Run the slackdump wizard and select "User Browser"

Select Brave:

[snozwoz]

its not working for me - using google auth, and 2FA

1. Run the slackdump wizard and select "User Browser"
2. Brave opens (latest version on macos on M3) with slack signin page
3. click google button and follow usual process, then enter 2FA code as usual
4. looks good and see loading icon, then Brave closes
5. return to terminal and i see the following:

2025-06-27 12:18:38 INFO  ℹ️ Initialising browser, once the browser appears,
                      │   login as usual
2025-06-27 12:19:06 INFO  ✅ authenticated time_taken: 28.561304167s
2025-06-27 12:19:07 ERROR 006 (Application Error): error running wizard:
                      │   authentication error: invalid_auth.
ac@MacBook-Air slackexportviewer % 

[alright5267]

its not working for me - using google auth, and 2FA

1. Run the slackdump wizard and select "User Browser"
2. Brave opens (latest version on macos on M3) with slack signin page
3. click google button and follow usual process, then enter 2FA code as usual
4. looks good and see loading icon, then Brave closes
5. return to terminal and i see the following:

2025-06-27 12:18:38 INFO  ℹ️ Initialising browser, once the browser appears,
                      │   login as usual
2025-06-27 12:19:06 INFO  ✅ authenticated time_taken: 28.561304167s
2025-06-27 12:19:07 ERROR 006 (Application Error): error running wizard:
                      │   authentication error: invalid_auth.
ac@MacBook-Air slackexportviewer % 

Thanks! I can also reproduce this issue with the exact same symptoms.

[rusq]

Try the following:

1. Open Brave as you normally would
2. Login into slack workspace using login credentials until you see channels (the Slack is loaded in your browser)
3. Close Brave browser
4. Follow the slackdump steps with "User Browser" - it will capture the credentials from an already logged in session.

I'm unable to reproduce, even going through the whole process works on my machine:

[7:50:20] 1:wp/_github/slackdump (master)> sd workspace new ora600
2025-07-03 19:50:27 INFO  ℹ️ Initialising browser, once the browser appears,
                      │   login as usual
2025-07-03 19:50:48 INFO  ✅ authenticated time_taken: 21.378202569s
Success:  added workspace "ora600"

[alright5267]

Try the following:

1. Open Brave as you normally would
2. Login into slack workspace using login credentials until you see channels (the Slack is loaded in your browser)
3. Close Brave browser
4. Follow the slackdump steps with "User Browser" - it will capture the credentials from an already logged in session.

I'm unable to reproduce, even going through the whole process works on my machine:

[7:50:20] 1:wp/_github/slackdump (master)> sd workspace new ora600
2025-07-03 19:50:27 INFO  ℹ️ Initialising browser, once the browser appears,
                      │   login as usual
2025-07-03 19:50:48 INFO  ✅ authenticated time_taken: 21.378202569s
Success:  added workspace "ora600"

@rusq Unfortunately, I still had the exact the same error using the same steps you just provided. My env is Windows 11 24H2 + Brave.

2025-07-08 14:42:55 INFO  ℹ️ Initialising browser, once the browser appears,
                      │   login as usual
2025-07-08 14:43:03 INFO  ✅ authenticated time_taken: 7.6859043s
2025-07-08 14:43:04 ERROR 006 (Application Error): error running wizard:
                      │   authentication error: invalid_auth.