Channels

Connect OpenClaw to every messaging platform you use.

OpenClaw's Gateway daemon manages all messaging surfaces. One Gateway per host opens connections to your chat platforms.

Supported Channels

Primary

Via Baileys — most popular channel. Secure DM mode for private conversations.

Primary

Via grammY — supports both bot and user mode for flexible integration.

Primary

Discord

Server bot with slash commands for community and team interactions.

Primary

Slack

Workspace app integration for team productivity and workflow automation.

Community

Signal

Privacy-first messaging for security-conscious users.

Community

iMessage

macOS/iOS native integration for Apple ecosystem users.

Community

Microsoft Teams

Enterprise integration for corporate environments.

Community

Google Chat

Google Workspace integration for GSuite organizations.

Built-in

WebChat

Built-in web UI — no external accounts required.

Extension

Matrix

Decentralized protocol for federated, self-hosted communication.

Quick Setup: WhatsApp

Most users start with WhatsApp. Add allowed numbers to ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json:

{
  "channels": {
    "whatsapp": {
      "allowFrom": ["+15555550123"]
    }
  }
}

Then scan the QR code when prompted by the Gateway.

Quick Setup: Telegram

{
  "channels": {
    "telegram": {
      "botToken": "YOUR_BOT_TOKEN",
      "allowFrom": ["your_username"]
    }
  }
}

Get a bot token from @BotFather on Telegram.

Quick Setup: Discord

{
  "channels": {
    "discord": {
      "botToken": "YOUR_DISCORD_TOKEN",
      "allowGuilds": ["your_server_id"]
    }
  }
}

Testing Your Channel

Send a test message to verify your setup:

openclaw message send --target +15555550123 --message "Hello from OpenClaw"

Or check channel status:

openclaw channels status

Channel Security

Always set allowFrom to restrict who can talk to your agent
Use allowGuilds / allowChannels for Discord
Gateway binds to localhost (127.0.0.1) by default
For remote access, use Tailscale or SSH tunnel — never expose ports publicly

Multiple Channels

OpenClaw supports running multiple channels simultaneously. The agent maintains context across platforms — a conversation started on WhatsApp can continue on Telegram.

Deep Dive: The Gateway Pattern

Channels are the "interface layer" of agent architecture. Understanding how OpenClaw abstracts messaging platforms into a unified Gateway teaches you a pattern used in every production multi-platform agent.

Learn Agent Architecture Concepts