---
summary: "Messaging platforms OpenClaw can connect to"
read_when:
  - You want to choose a chat channel for OpenClaw
  - You need a quick overview of supported messaging platforms
title: "Chat channels"
---

OpenClaw can talk to you on any chat app you already use. Each channel connects via the Gateway.
Text is supported everywhere; media and reactions vary by channel.

## Delivery notes

- Telegram replies that contain markdown image syntax, such as `![alt](url)`,
  are converted into media replies on the final outbound path when possible.
- Slack multi-person DMs route as group chats, so group policy, mention
  behavior, and group-session rules apply to MPIM conversations.
- WhatsApp setup is install-on-demand: onboarding can show the setup flow before
  Baileys runtime dependencies are staged, and the Gateway loads the WhatsApp
  runtime only when the channel is actually active.

## Supported channels

- [BlueBubbles](/channels/bluebubbles) — **Recommended for iMessage**; uses the BlueBubbles macOS server REST API with full feature support (bundled plugin; edit, unsend, effects, reactions, group management — edit currently broken on macOS 26 Tahoe).
- [Discord](/channels/discord) — Discord Bot API + Gateway; supports servers, channels, and DMs.
- [Feishu](/channels/feishu) — Feishu/Lark bot via WebSocket (bundled plugin).
- [Google Chat](/channels/googlechat) — Google Chat API app via HTTP webhook.
- [iMessage (legacy)](/channels/imessage) — Legacy macOS integration via imsg CLI (deprecated, use BlueBubbles for new setups).
- [IRC](/channels/irc) — Classic IRC servers; channels + DMs with pairing/allowlist controls.
- [LINE](/channels/line) — LINE Messaging API bot (bundled plugin).
- [Matrix](/channels/matrix) — Matrix protocol (bundled plugin).
- [Mattermost](/channels/mattermost) — Bot API + WebSocket; channels, groups, DMs (bundled plugin).
- [Microsoft Teams](/channels/msteams) — Bot Framework; enterprise support (bundled plugin).
- [Nextcloud Talk](/channels/nextcloud-talk) — Self-hosted chat via Nextcloud Talk (bundled plugin).
- [Nostr](/channels/nostr) — Decentralized DMs via NIP-04 (bundled plugin).
- [QQ Bot](/channels/qqbot) — QQ Bot API; private chat, group chat, and rich media (bundled plugin).
- [Signal](/channels/signal) — signal-cli; privacy-focused.
- [Slack](/channels/slack) — Bolt SDK; workspace apps.
- [Synology Chat](/channels/synology-chat) — Synology NAS Chat via outgoing+incoming webhooks (bundled plugin).
- [Telegram](/channels/telegram) — Bot API via grammY; supports groups.
- [Tlon](/channels/tlon) — Urbit-based messenger (bundled plugin).
- [Twitch](/channels/twitch) — Twitch chat via IRC connection (bundled plugin).
- [Voice Call](/plugins/voice-call) — Telephony via Plivo or Twilio (plugin, installed separately).
- [WebChat](/web/webchat) — Gateway WebChat UI over WebSocket.
- [WeChat](/channels/wechat) — Tencent iLink Bot plugin via QR login; private chats only (external plugin).
- [WhatsApp](/channels/whatsapp) — Most popular; uses Baileys and requires QR pairing.
- [Yuanbao](/channels/yuanbao) — Tencent Yuanbao bot (external plugin).
- [Zalo](/channels/zalo) — Zalo Bot API; Vietnam's popular messenger (bundled plugin).
- [Zalo Personal](/channels/zalouser) — Zalo personal account via QR login (bundled plugin).

## Notes

- Channels can run simultaneously; configure multiple and OpenClaw will route per chat.
- Fastest setup is usually **Telegram** (simple bot token). WhatsApp requires QR pairing and
  stores more state on disk.
- Group behavior varies by channel; see [Groups](/channels/groups).
- DM pairing and allowlists are enforced for safety; see [Security](/gateway/security).
- Troubleshooting: [Channel troubleshooting](/channels/troubleshooting).
- Model providers are documented separately; see [Model Providers](/providers/models).
