Channels – HowOpenClaw

Channels are how you communicate with your agent. Rather than forcing you into a dedicated app, OpenClaw meets you in the messaging tools you already use — your phone, your workspace, your community.

Each channel has its own setup guide with step-by-step instructions.

Pick your channel

Slack

Best for work and team contexts. Socket Mode keeps your agent connected behind firewalls and corporate VPNs — no public URL required.

The easiest channel to start with. Create a bot in 2 minutes and message it from any device, anywhere in the world.

Discord

Great for communities and casual use. Works across servers with per-channel routing and optional auto-generated thread names.

Use your existing WhatsApp number. Unofficial API — ideal for personal use rather than business accounts.

Signal

Maximum privacy. End-to-end encrypted by default. Best for sensitive use cases where data confidentiality matters.

iMessage

Connect via BlueBubbles for reliable iMessage integration. Requires a Mac running the BlueBubbles server.

WebChat

Zero setup — the fastest way to test OpenClaw locally. No account needed. Start here before connecting other channels.

Microsoft Teams

Enterprise-grade deployment with the official Teams SDK. Streaming replies, welcome cards, typing indicators, and native AI labeling.

Not sure which channel to pick? See the channel decision guide.

Starting strategy

Don't connect everything at once. The most common mistake is setting up five channels simultaneously and ending up with five unstable connections and no idea which config is the problem.

Recommended starting order:

WebChat — zero setup, perfect for testing your agent locally
Telegram or Slack — whichever fits your primary daily context
Add more channels once the first two are stable

Security is per-channel

A critical point: security settings are per-channel. An allowlist on iMessage doesn't automatically apply to Telegram. An open DM policy on WebChat doesn't affect Slack.

Review DM policy and tool permissions separately for each channel you connect. Start restrictive and loosen as needed.

Message routing

The MESSAGING.md file controls how your agent handles incoming messages across all channels. Write it in plain English — your agent reads it as natural language instructions.

Route all work-related requests from Slack to my work assistant mode.
For iMessage, use a casual conversational tone.
Priority messages that require immediate attention should respond even during quiet hours.

For advanced multi-channel routing, see Module 2: Connecting Apps.