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Guide

Connect OpenClaw to WhatsApp & Telegram: Step-by-Step (2026)

OpenClaw turns WhatsApp, Telegram, and 10 other messaging apps into AI-powered assistants. Here is exactly how to set up each one, with screenshots-free instructions anyone can follow.

Espen · February 11, 2026 · 10 min read

OpenClaw is a free, open-source AI agent created by Peter Steinberger (formerly Clawdbot, then Moltbot) that connects to WhatsApp and Telegram as its primary interface. Instead of a separate app or web dashboard, you chat with your AI agent inside the messaging apps you already use. As of February 2026, OpenClaw supports 12 messaging channels total, and you can run them all simultaneously.

This guide walks you through setting up each major channel, from the two most popular (Telegram and WhatsApp) to Discord, Slack, iMessage, and beyond.

Haven't installed OpenClaw yet? Start with the installation guide first.

Why Messaging-First?

Most AI tools force you into a new interface. OpenClaw takes the opposite approach: it meets you where you already are.

This matters especially for teams. You do not need to onboard anyone to a new platform. Just add the bot to a group chat and everyone can interact with it immediately.

All Supported Channels

OpenClaw supports 12 messaging platforms out of the box. You can run as many as you want simultaneously.

Channel Method Notes
WhatsApp Baileys (linked device) Unofficial API. May disconnect after ~14 days.
Telegram Bot API (official) Most stable option. Create bot via @BotFather.
Discord Bot token Create app on Discord Developer Portal.
Slack Bolt SDK / OAuth Requires Slack app creation with OAuth scopes.
Signal Signal CLI Requires linked device or registered number.
iMessage macOS native / BlueBubbles macOS only natively. BlueBubbles for cross-platform.
Microsoft Teams Bot Framework Requires Azure AD app registration.
Google Chat Chat API Requires Google Workspace account.
Matrix Matrix SDK Works with Element and other Matrix clients.
Twitch IRC / Bot token Responds in Twitch chat. Good for streamers.
Mattermost Bot account Self-hosted Slack alternative.
WebChat Built-in web UI Browser-based fallback. No external account needed.

Which channel should you start with?

Telegram is the easiest to set up and the most stable. If you are just getting started, go with Telegram first. You can always add WhatsApp and others later.

Setting Up Telegram

Telegram is the recommended starting point. The official Bot API is stable, well-documented, and takes about 3 minutes to configure.

Step 1: Create a Bot via @BotFather

Open Telegram and search for @BotFather. Start a chat with it and send the command /newbot. BotFather will ask you for a display name and a username (must end in "bot"). Once created, it gives you a bot token that looks like this:

7104583291:AAH8kLp_Rq3vZ0xNmT4fW2yUj6bKcDe5sXo

Copy that token. You will need it in the next step.

Step 2: Add the Token to OpenClaw

Open your terminal and run:

openclaw channels add --channel telegram --token "<your-bot-token>"

Replace <your-bot-token> with the actual token from BotFather.

Step 3: Or Add During Onboard Wizard

If you are setting up OpenClaw for the first time, the onboard wizard asks which channels you want to connect. Select Telegram and paste your token when prompted. Same result, friendlier interface.

Step 4: Start Chatting

Open Telegram, find your bot by its username, and send any message. OpenClaw should respond within a few seconds. If it does not, check the troubleshooting section below.

Group chats work too

Add your Telegram bot to any group chat. By default, bots in groups only respond when mentioned with @yourbotname. You can change this behavior in BotFather's settings by disabling "Group Privacy" mode.

Setting Up WhatsApp

WhatsApp integration uses the Baileys library, an unofficial implementation of the WhatsApp Web protocol. It works well, but comes with a caveat: WhatsApp may disconnect the session after roughly 14 days.

Step 1: Run the Login Command

In your terminal, run:

openclaw channels login

If you are using Docker, use:

docker compose run --rm openclaw-cli channels login

This generates a QR code in your terminal.

Step 2: Scan the QR Code

On your phone, open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Linked Devices > Link a Device. Point your camera at the QR code displayed in the terminal. OpenClaw registers as a linked device on your WhatsApp account.

Step 3: Send a Test Message

Send a message to your own number or have someone message you. OpenClaw should respond automatically.

Important: WhatsApp disconnects after ~14 days. This is a WhatsApp limitation, not an OpenClaw bug. When it happens, run openclaw channels login again and re-scan the QR code. Some users report longer sessions, but plan for periodic re-authentication.

Privacy note: Since OpenClaw uses an unofficial API, WhatsApp could technically flag or restrict accounts that use automation. The risk is low for personal use, but be aware of WhatsApp's Terms of Service if you are using this for a business.

Setting Up Discord

Discord is popular for communities and team workspaces. The setup involves creating a bot application on Discord's developer portal.

Step 1: Create a Bot on the Discord Developer Portal

Go to discord.com/developers/applications. Click "New Application", give it a name, and navigate to the "Bot" section. Click "Add Bot" and copy the bot token.

Step 2: Enable Required Intents

In the Bot settings, scroll down and enable Message Content Intent. Without this, your bot cannot read messages. Also enable Server Members Intent if you want the bot to see member lists.

Step 3: Invite the Bot to Your Server

Go to the OAuth2 section, select "bot" under scopes, and choose the permissions you want (at minimum: Send Messages, Read Message History). Copy the generated invite URL and open it in your browser to add the bot to your server.

Step 4: Connect to OpenClaw

Run the following command:

openclaw channels add --channel discord --token "<your-bot-token>"

Your bot should come online in Discord within seconds.

Setting Up Slack

Slack integration uses the Bolt SDK with OAuth, which means you create a Slack app and grant it permissions to your workspace.

Step 1: Create a Slack App

Go to api.slack.com/apps and click "Create New App". Choose "From scratch" and select your workspace.

Step 2: Configure OAuth Scopes

Under "OAuth & Permissions", add these Bot Token Scopes:

Step 3: Install to Workspace and Get Tokens

Click "Install to Workspace" and authorize. Copy both the Bot User OAuth Token (starts with xoxb-) and the Signing Secret from the Basic Information page.

Step 4: Add to OpenClaw

openclaw channels add --channel slack \
  --token "<xoxb-bot-token>" \
  --signing-secret "<signing-secret>"

Enable Socket Mode in the Slack app settings if you want real-time messaging without a public URL.

Setting Up iMessage

iMessage integration works natively on macOS because Apple provides local access to the Messages database. For non-Mac setups, you need BlueBubbles.

Option A: macOS Native

If OpenClaw is running on a Mac, it can tap directly into the Messages framework. Enable it with:

openclaw channels add --channel imessage

You may need to grant Full Disk Access to your terminal application in System Settings > Privacy & Security.

Option B: BlueBubbles (Cross-Platform)

If your server runs on Linux or Windows, install BlueBubbles on a Mac that stays powered on. BlueBubbles acts as a bridge, forwarding iMessages to your OpenClaw instance via its API. Configure the BlueBubbles server URL in OpenClaw:

openclaw channels add --channel imessage \
  --bluebubbles-url "http://<mac-ip>:1234" \
  --bluebubbles-password "<your-password>"

Heads up: iMessage integration requires a Mac somewhere in the chain. There is no way around this. Apple does not offer an open API for iMessage.

Managing Multiple Channels

One of OpenClaw's strengths is running every channel at once. You do not have to choose. A typical setup might look like this:

# Check all connected channels
openclaw channels list

# Example output:
# telegram    connected    @MyAssistantBot
# whatsapp    connected    +1-555-0123
# discord     connected    MyBot#4521
# slack       connected    my-workspace

Each channel maintains its own isolated session. A conversation happening on Telegram does not bleed into WhatsApp. The bot's personality and system prompt are shared, but the conversation history is separate per channel and per user.

Channel-specific behavior

You can set different system prompts per channel. For example, your Telegram bot might be casual and conversational, while your Slack bot stays professional and concise. Configure this with openclaw channels config --channel telegram --prompt "...".

Troubleshooting

Bot is not replying to messages

WhatsApp QR code will not scan

Channel keeps disconnecting

Pairing and allowlist issues

Open allowlists are risky. If your bot is connected to your WhatsApp and the allowlist is set to "*", anyone who messages you gets an AI response. Limit access to known contacts unless you specifically want a public bot.

FAQ

Can OpenClaw work on WhatsApp?

Yes. OpenClaw connects to WhatsApp using the Baileys library. You scan a QR code from Settings > Linked Devices on your phone, and OpenClaw runs as a linked device. Note that WhatsApp may disconnect the session after about 14 days, requiring you to re-scan.

How do I set up OpenClaw on Telegram?

Create a bot through Telegram's @BotFather, copy the bot token, then run openclaw channels add --channel telegram --token "YOUR_TOKEN". You can also add Telegram during the initial onboard wizard.

How many messaging channels can OpenClaw connect to at once?

OpenClaw supports 12 channels simultaneously: WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, Signal, iMessage, Microsoft Teams, Google Chat, Matrix, Twitch, Mattermost, and WebChat. Each channel maintains its own isolated session.

Why is my OpenClaw WhatsApp connection disconnecting?

WhatsApp linked device sessions expire after approximately 14 days of inactivity. Run openclaw channels login again and re-scan the QR code. Also check that your phone has an active internet connection.

Is OpenClaw free to use on messaging apps?

OpenClaw itself is free and open-source. However, it requires an AI API key (such as OpenAI, Anthropic, or Groq) which may have usage costs. The messaging integrations themselves are all free to set up.

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