---
title: "Channels And Contacts"
description: "Understand web chat, email, SMS, app channels, inbound webhooks, contacts, and contact permissions."
sidebar_label: "Channels And Contacts"
---

Channels are how people and systems communicate with a Gobii. Contacts define who is allowed to use those channels.

## Channel types

| Channel | Use it for |
| --- | --- |
| Web chat | Direct work with a Gobii in the product timeline. |
| Email | Inbound and outbound email workflows, including custom mailbox setups where supported. |
| SMS/MMS | Short messages and attachments from approved phone contacts where enabled. |
| App channels | Inbound events or messages from connected apps where supported. |
| Inbound webhooks | Developer-triggered events sent to a Gobii webhook. |
| Remote MCP | External AI clients managing or messaging Gobii agents through MCP. |

Developers should see [Webhooks And Events](/developers/webhooks) and [Remote MCP](/developers/mcp-server).

## Contacts and allowlists

Contact controls help prevent unexpected communication. A contact may be allowed to:

- Send messages to the Gobii.
- Receive messages from the Gobii.
- Help configure or collaborate with the Gobii where permissions allow.

Admins and owners can manage broader access through [Contact Access And Allowlists](/admin-and-teams/contact-access-and-allowlists).

## Preferred contact route

Some Gobiis can use a preferred contact route when they need to reach you. Set this only when the route is reliable and appropriate for the Gobii's role.

Examples:

- Use email for long reports or attachments.
- Use SMS for urgent short updates.
- Use chat for interactive steering and approvals.

## Safe channel setup

- Start with web chat until the Gobii is behaving correctly.
- Add email or SMS when communication is part of the job.
- Use contact approvals before external outreach.
- Keep outbound communication explicit in the charter.
- Review app-channel behavior before enabling ongoing triggers.

## Related guides

- [Email And SMS](/using-gobii/email-and-sms)
- [Approvals And Requests](/using-gobii/approvals-and-requests)
- [Contact Access And Allowlists](/admin-and-teams/contact-access-and-allowlists)
