Messaging Platform Setup
Connect OpenClaw to Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, Slack, or other messaging platforms for AI agent communication.
Messaging Platform Setup
OpenClaw communicates through the messaging apps you already use. This tutorial helps you connect your first platform and understand the trade-offs between each option.
Which Platform Should You Choose?#
| Platform | Difficulty | Best For | Notes | |----------|-----------|----------|-------| | Telegram | Easy | Beginners, developers | Built-in Bot API, no QR scanning | | Discord | Easy | Communities, teams | Slash commands, rich embeds | | Slack | Medium | Workplaces | OAuth flow, 3-second response limit | | WhatsApp | Medium | Personal use, mobile-first | QR code pairing, dedicated number needed | | Signal | Medium | Privacy-focused users | End-to-end encrypted | | iMessage | Hard | Apple ecosystem | Requires BlueBubbles on a Mac |
Start with Telegram. It has the simplest setup, the most stable API, and the best developer experience. You can always add more platforms later -- OpenClaw supports running multiple channels simultaneously.
Telegram is the easiest channel because it has a formal Bot API with stable tooling.
Step 1: Create a Telegram Bot#
- Open Telegram and search for
@BotFather - Send
/newbot - Choose a name for your bot
- Choose a username ending in
_bot - Copy the bot token BotFather gives you
Step 2: Configure OpenClaw#
# Install the Telegram skill openclaw skill install telegram-bot # Set your bot token openclaw config set telegram.bot_token YOUR_BOT_TOKEN # Enable the channel openclaw telegram enable
Step 3: Test It#
Open your bot in Telegram and send "Hello". You should get a response from your AI agent within a few seconds.
WhatsApp Setup#
WhatsApp is popular but requires more care.
Step 1: Get a Dedicated Number#
Never use your personal phone number for OpenClaw WhatsApp automation. Get a dedicated number to prevent accidental messages and maintain separation.
openclaw skill install whatsapp openclaw whatsapp enable
OpenClaw will display a QR code. Scan it with WhatsApp on your dedicated phone to link the account.
Step 3: Security Notes#
- WhatsApp integration relies on third-party packages -- keep them updated
- In late 2025, a malicious npm package impersonating a WhatsApp Web API library was discovered stealing credentials
- Always verify the package source before installing
Discord Setup#
# Install the Discord skill openclaw skill install discord-bot # Configure credentials openclaw config set discord.bot_token YOUR_BOT_TOKEN openclaw config set discord.guild_id YOUR_SERVER_ID # Enable the channel openclaw discord enable
You will need to create a Discord Application at discord.com/developers first and invite the bot to your server.
Slack Setup#
Slack requires a Slack App with OAuth:
openclaw skill install slack-bot openclaw config set slack.bot_token YOUR_SLACK_BOT_TOKEN openclaw config set slack.app_token YOUR_SLACK_APP_TOKEN openclaw slack enable
Slack has a 3-second response limit for interactive messages. OpenClaw handles this by sending an acknowledgment immediately and following up with the full response. For long-running tasks, the agent posts updates as they complete.
One of OpenClaw's superpowers is multi-channel support. One Gateway process receives messages from all platforms and routes them into the same session store.
This means if you start a conversation on WhatsApp and continue on Telegram, OpenClaw keeps the context -- as long as the Gateway recognizes your identity.
{ "channels": { "telegram": { "enabled": true }, "discord": { "enabled": true }, "whatsapp": { "enabled": true } } }
Security Best Practices#
- Lock down inbound DMs: Use
dmPolicy: "pairing"so unknown contacts must confirm with a one-time code - Avoid open mode: Never set
dmPolicy: "open"unless you want anyone to message the bot - Require mentions in groups: Require explicit @bot mentions to prevent the agent from responding to everything
- Use a reverse proxy: Never expose the Gateway directly to the public internet
Next Steps#
- Configure your LLM -- Connect an AI model
- Build your first agent -- Create a real workflow
- Messaging integrations deep-dive -- Detailed comparison of all 50+ platforms