> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/openclaw/openclaw/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Channels Overview

> Connect OpenClaw to WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, Signal, iMessage, and more

OpenClaw connects to multiple messaging platforms through **channels**. Each channel provides a bridge between your AI agent and a messaging platform, enabling seamless communication across different apps.

## Supported Channels

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="WhatsApp" icon="whatsapp" href="/channels/whatsapp">
    Connect via Baileys library with QR code pairing. Full support for groups, media, and reactions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Telegram" icon="telegram" href="/channels/telegram">
    Bot API integration with commands, groups, threads, and native inline buttons.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Discord" icon="discord" href="/channels/discord">
    Full bot support with guilds, channels, threads, reactions, and rich embeds.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Slack" icon="slack" href="/channels/slack">
    Socket Mode connection with channels, DMs, slash commands, and interactive blocks.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Signal" icon="signal" href="/channels/signal">
    Signal protocol support via signal-cli with E2E encryption and reactions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="iMessage" icon="message" href="/channels/imessage">
    macOS-only integration using Messages.app database and AppleScript.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Quick Comparison

| Channel      | Setup Difficulty | Platform   | Group Support | Media | Pairing        |
| ------------ | ---------------- | ---------- | ------------- | ----- | -------------- |
| **WhatsApp** | Easy             | Any        | ✓             | ✓     | QR Code        |
| **Telegram** | Easy             | Any        | ✓             | ✓     | Bot Token      |
| **Discord**  | Easy             | Any        | ✓             | ✓     | Bot Token      |
| **Slack**    | Medium           | Any        | ✓             | ✓     | OAuth + Socket |
| **Signal**   | Medium           | Any        | ✓             | ✓     | QR Code        |
| **iMessage** | Hard             | macOS only | ✓             | ✓     | System Access  |

## Channel Configuration

All channels are configured in your `openclaw.config.json` under the `channels` section:

```json theme={null}
{
  "channels": {
    "telegram": {
      "enabled": true,
      "botToken": "123456:ABC...",
      "dmPolicy": "pairing",
      "allowFrom": ["123456789"]
    },
    "discord": {
      "enabled": true,
      "token": "...",
      "groupPolicy": "allowlist",
      "guilds": {
        "guild-id": {
          "channels": {
            "channel-id": { "allow": true }
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}
```

## DM Policies

Most channels support configurable DM (direct message) policies:

* **`pairing`** (default): Unknown senders receive a pairing code; you approve them
* **`allowlist`**: Only pre-approved senders can message
* **`open`**: Accept messages from anyone (requires `allowFrom: ["*"]`)
* **`disabled`**: Ignore all direct messages

Example configuration:

```json theme={null}
{
  "channels": {
    "whatsapp": {
      "dmPolicy": "pairing",
      "allowFrom": ["+15555550123"]
    }
  }
}
```

## Group Policies

Channels with group/channel support (Discord, Slack, Telegram, WhatsApp) use a `groupPolicy`:

* **`allowlist`**: Only specified channels/groups are monitored
* **`open`**: All channels the bot has access to
* **`disabled`**: No group monitoring

For Discord and Slack, configure specific channels:

```json theme={null}
{
  "channels": {
    "discord": {
      "groupPolicy": "allowlist",
      "guilds": {
        "123456789": {
          "channels": {
            "987654321": { "allow": true }
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}
```

## Getting Started

The easiest way to set up channels is with the interactive onboarding:

```bash theme={null}
openclaw init
```

This walks you through:

1. Selecting which channels to enable
2. Providing tokens/credentials
3. Configuring DM and group policies
4. Setting up allowlists

For manual setup, see each channel's dedicated page.

## Multi-Account Support

Most channels support multiple accounts. Configure them under `accounts`:

```json theme={null}
{
  "channels": {
    "telegram": {
      "accounts": {
        "work": {
          "enabled": true,
          "botToken": "work-bot-token",
          "allowFrom": ["work-user-id"]
        },
        "personal": {
          "enabled": true,
          "botToken": "personal-bot-token",
          "allowFrom": ["personal-user-id"]
        }
      }
    }
  }
}
```

The default account is identified by `"default"` or inferred from top-level configuration.

## Environment Variables

Most channels support environment variables as an alternative to config file storage:

* `TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN` - Telegram bot token
* `DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN` - Discord bot token
* `SLACK_BOT_TOKEN` - Slack bot token
* `SLACK_APP_TOKEN` - Slack app-level token

Environment variables take precedence over config file values.

## Channel Status

Check channel status at any time:

```bash theme={null}
openclaw channels status
```

For detailed diagnostics including connection probes:

```bash theme={null}
openclaw channels status --probe
```

## Security Best Practices

1. **Use pairing mode** for channels you access from a personal device
2. **Use allowlist mode** for production bots with known users
3. **Never commit tokens** to version control - use environment variables or secure vaults
4. **Rotate tokens regularly** if they may have been exposed
5. **Review allowlists** periodically to remove stale entries

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="WhatsApp Setup" icon="whatsapp" href="/channels/whatsapp">
    Set up WhatsApp with QR code pairing
  </Card>

  <Card title="Telegram Setup" icon="telegram" href="/channels/telegram">
    Create a Telegram bot with @BotFather
  </Card>

  <Card title="Discord Setup" icon="discord" href="/channels/discord">
    Configure Discord bot and permissions
  </Card>

  <Card title="Pairing Guide" icon="qrcode" href="/channels/pairing">
    Learn about pairing codes and device verification
  </Card>
</CardGroup>