---
summary: "Channel configuration: access control, pairing, per-channel keys across Slack, Discord, Telegram, WhatsApp, Matrix, iMessage, and more"
read_when:
  - Configuring a channel plugin (auth, access control, multi-account)
  - Troubleshooting per-channel config keys
  - Auditing DM policy, group policy, or mention gating
title: "Configuration — channels"
---

Per-channel configuration keys under `channels.*`. Covers DM and group access,
multi-account setups, mention gating, and per-channel keys for Slack, Discord,
Telegram, WhatsApp, Matrix, iMessage, and the other bundled channel plugins.

For agents, tools, gateway runtime, and other top-level keys, see
[Configuration reference](/gateway/configuration-reference).

## Channels

Each channel starts automatically when its config section exists (unless `enabled: false`).

### DM and group access

All channels support DM policies and group policies:

| DM policy           | Behavior                                                        |
| ------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `pairing` (default) | Unknown senders get a one-time pairing code; owner must approve |
| `allowlist`         | Only senders in `allowFrom` (or paired allow store)             |
| `open`              | Allow all inbound DMs (requires `allowFrom: ["*"]`)             |
| `disabled`          | Ignore all inbound DMs                                          |

| Group policy          | Behavior                                               |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| `allowlist` (default) | Only groups matching the configured allowlist          |
| `open`                | Bypass group allowlists (mention-gating still applies) |
| `disabled`            | Block all group/room messages                          |

<Note>
`channels.defaults.groupPolicy` sets the default when a provider's `groupPolicy` is unset.
Pairing codes expire after 1 hour. Pending DM pairing requests are capped at **3 per channel**.
If a provider block is missing entirely (`channels.<provider>` absent), runtime group policy falls back to `allowlist` (fail-closed) with a startup warning.
</Note>

### Channel model overrides

Use `channels.modelByChannel` to pin specific channel IDs or direct-message peers to a model. Values accept `provider/model` or configured model aliases. The channel mapping applies when a session does not already have a model override (for example, set via `/model`).

For group/thread conversations, keys are channel-specific group IDs, topic IDs, or channel names. For direct-message (DM) conversations, keys are peer identifiers derived from the channel's sender identity (`nativeDirectUserId`, `origin.from`, `origin.to`, `OriginatingTo`, `From`, or `SenderId`). The exact key form depends on the channel:

| Channel  | DM key form         | Example                                      |
| -------- | ------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| Slack    | `user:U...`         | `user:U12345`                                |
| Telegram | raw user ID         | `123456789`                                  |
| Discord  | raw user ID         | `987654321`                                  |
| WhatsApp | phone number or JID | `15551234567`                                |
| Matrix   | Matrix user ID      | `@user:matrix.org`                           |
| Feishu   | `feishu:ou_...`     | `feishu:ou_a8b6cab7e945387de5f253775d9b4d85` |

```json5
{
  channels: {
    modelByChannel: {
      discord: {
        "123456789012345678": "anthropic/claude-opus-4-6",
      },
      slack: {
        C1234567890: "openai/gpt-5.5",
        "user:U12345": "openai/gpt-5.4-mini",
      },
      telegram: {
        "-1001234567890": "openai/gpt-5.4-mini",
        "-1001234567890:topic:99": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-6",
        "123456789": "openai/gpt-4.1",
      },
    },
  },
}
```

DM-specific keys only match in direct-message conversations; they do not affect group/thread routing.

### Channel defaults and heartbeat

Use `channels.defaults` for shared group-policy and heartbeat behavior across providers:

```json5
{
  channels: {
    defaults: {
      groupPolicy: "allowlist", // open | allowlist | disabled
      contextVisibility: "all", // all | allowlist | allowlist_quote
      heartbeat: {
        showOk: false,
        showAlerts: true,
        useIndicator: true,
      },
    },
  },
}
```

- `channels.defaults.groupPolicy`: fallback group policy when a provider-level `groupPolicy` is unset.
- `channels.defaults.contextVisibility`: default supplemental context visibility mode for all channels. Values: `all` (default, include all quoted/thread/history context), `allowlist` (only include context from allowlisted senders), `allowlist_quote` (same as allowlist but keep explicit quote/reply context). Per-channel override: `channels.<channel>.contextVisibility`.
- `channels.defaults.heartbeat.showOk`: include healthy channel statuses in heartbeat output.
- `channels.defaults.heartbeat.showAlerts`: include degraded/error statuses in heartbeat output.
- `channels.defaults.heartbeat.useIndicator`: render compact indicator-style heartbeat output.

### WhatsApp

WhatsApp runs through the gateway's web channel (Baileys Web). It starts automatically when a linked session exists.

```json5
{
  web: {
    enabled: true,
    heartbeatSeconds: 60,
    whatsapp: {
      keepAliveIntervalMs: 25000,
      connectTimeoutMs: 60000,
      defaultQueryTimeoutMs: 60000,
    },
    reconnect: {
      initialMs: 2000,
      maxMs: 120000,
      factor: 1.4,
      jitter: 0.2,
      maxAttempts: 0,
    },
  },
  channels: {
    whatsapp: {
      dmPolicy: "pairing", // pairing | allowlist | open | disabled
      allowFrom: ["+15555550123", "+447700900123"],
      textChunkLimit: 4000,
      chunkMode: "length", // length | newline
      mediaMaxMb: 50,
      sendReadReceipts: true, // blue ticks (false in self-chat mode)
      groups: {
        "*": { requireMention: true },
      },
      groupPolicy: "allowlist",
      groupAllowFrom: ["+15551234567"],
    },
  },
}
```

- Top-level `bindings[]` entries with `type: "acp"` configure persistent ACP bindings for WhatsApp DMs and groups. Use an E.164 direct number or WhatsApp group JID in `match.peer.id`. Field semantics are shared in [ACP Agents](/tools/acp-agents#persistent-channel-bindings).

<Accordion title="Multi-account WhatsApp">

```json5
{
  channels: {
    whatsapp: {
      accounts: {
        default: {},
        personal: {},
        biz: {
          // authDir: "~/.openclaw/credentials/whatsapp/biz",
        },
      },
    },
  },
}
```

- Outbound commands default to account `default` if present; otherwise the first configured account id (sorted).
- Optional `channels.whatsapp.defaultAccount` overrides that fallback default account selection when it matches a configured account id.
- Legacy single-account Baileys auth dir is migrated by `openclaw doctor` into `whatsapp/default`.
- Per-account overrides: `channels.whatsapp.accounts.<id>.sendReadReceipts`, `channels.whatsapp.accounts.<id>.dmPolicy`, `channels.whatsapp.accounts.<id>.allowFrom`.

</Accordion>

### Telegram

```json5
{
  channels: {
    telegram: {
      enabled: true,
      botToken: "your-bot-token",
      dmPolicy: "pairing",
      allowFrom: ["tg:123456789"],
      groups: {
        "*": { requireMention: true },
        "-1001234567890": {
          allowFrom: ["@admin"],
          systemPrompt: "Keep answers brief.",
          topics: {
            "99": {
              requireMention: false,
              skills: ["search"],
              systemPrompt: "Stay on topic.",
            },
          },
        },
      },
      customCommands: [
        { command: "backup", description: "Git backup" },
        { command: "generate", description: "Create an image" },
      ],
      historyLimit: 50,
      replyToMode: "first", // off | first | all | batched
      linkPreview: true,
      streaming: "partial", // off | partial | block | progress (default: off; opt in explicitly to avoid preview-edit rate limits)
      actions: { reactions: true, sendMessage: true },
      reactionNotifications: "own", // off | own | all
      mediaMaxMb: 100,
      retry: {
        attempts: 3,
        minDelayMs: 400,
        maxDelayMs: 30000,
        jitter: 0.1,
      },
      network: {
        autoSelectFamily: true,
        dnsResultOrder: "ipv4first",
      },
      apiRoot: "https://api.telegram.org",
      proxy: "socks5://localhost:9050",
      webhookUrl: "https://example.com/telegram-webhook",
      webhookSecret: "secret",
      webhookPath: "/telegram-webhook",
    },
  },
}
```

- Bot token: `channels.telegram.botToken` or `channels.telegram.tokenFile` (regular file only; symlinks rejected), with `TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN` as fallback for the default account.
- `apiRoot` is the Telegram Bot API root only. Use `https://api.telegram.org` or your self-hosted/proxy root, not `https://api.telegram.org/bot<TOKEN>`; `openclaw doctor --fix` removes an accidental trailing `/bot<TOKEN>` suffix.
- Optional `channels.telegram.defaultAccount` overrides default account selection when it matches a configured account id.
- In multi-account setups (2+ account ids), set an explicit default (`channels.telegram.defaultAccount` or `channels.telegram.accounts.default`) to avoid fallback routing; `openclaw doctor` warns when this is missing or invalid.
- `configWrites: false` blocks Telegram-initiated config writes (supergroup ID migrations, `/config set|unset`).
- Top-level `bindings[]` entries with `type: "acp"` configure persistent ACP bindings for forum topics (use canonical `chatId:topic:topicId` in `match.peer.id`). Field semantics are shared in [ACP Agents](/tools/acp-agents#persistent-channel-bindings).
- Telegram stream previews use `sendMessage` + `editMessageText` (works in direct and group chats).
- Retry policy: see [Retry policy](/concepts/retry).

### Discord

```json5
{
  channels: {
    discord: {
      enabled: true,
      token: "your-bot-token",
      mediaMaxMb: 100,
      allowBots: false,
      actions: {
        reactions: true,
        stickers: true,
        polls: true,
        permissions: true,
        messages: true,
        threads: true,
        pins: true,
        search: true,
        memberInfo: true,
        roleInfo: true,
        roles: false,
        channelInfo: true,
        voiceStatus: true,
        events: true,
        moderation: false,
      },
      replyToMode: "off", // off | first | all | batched
      dmPolicy: "pairing",
      allowFrom: ["1234567890", "123456789012345678"],
      dm: { enabled: true, groupEnabled: false, groupChannels: ["openclaw-dm"] },
      guilds: {
        "123456789012345678": {
          slug: "friends-of-openclaw",
          requireMention: false,
          ignoreOtherMentions: true,
          reactionNotifications: "own",
          users: ["987654321098765432"],
          channels: {
            general: { allow: true },
            help: {
              allow: true,
              requireMention: true,
              users: ["987654321098765432"],
              skills: ["docs"],
              systemPrompt: "Short answers only.",
            },
          },
        },
      },
      historyLimit: 20,
      textChunkLimit: 2000,
      suppressEmbeds: true,
      chunkMode: "length", // length | newline
      streaming: {
        mode: "progress", // off | partial | block | progress (Discord default: progress)
        progress: {
          label: "auto",
          maxLines: 8,
          maxLineChars: 120,
          toolProgress: true,
        },
      },
      maxLinesPerMessage: 17,
      ui: {
        components: {
          accentColor: "#5865F2",
        },
      },
      threadBindings: {
        enabled: true,
        idleHours: 24,
        maxAgeHours: 0,
        spawnSessions: true,
        defaultSpawnContext: "fork",
      },
      voice: {
        enabled: true,
        autoJoin: [
          {
            guildId: "123456789012345678",
            channelId: "234567890123456789",
          },
        ],
        daveEncryption: true,
        decryptionFailureTolerance: 24,
        connectTimeoutMs: 30000,
        reconnectGraceMs: 15000,
        tts: {
          provider: "openai",
          openai: { voice: "alloy" },
        },
      },
      execApprovals: {
        enabled: "auto", // true | false | "auto"
        approvers: ["987654321098765432"],
        agentFilter: ["default"],
        sessionFilter: ["discord:"],
        target: "dm", // dm | channel | both
        cleanupAfterResolve: false,
      },
      retry: {
        attempts: 3,
        minDelayMs: 500,
        maxDelayMs: 30000,
        jitter: 0.1,
      },
    },
  },
}
```

- Token: `channels.discord.token`, with `DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN` as fallback for the default account.
- Direct outbound calls that provide an explicit Discord `token` use that token for the call; account retry/policy settings still come from the selected account in the active runtime snapshot.
- Optional `channels.discord.defaultAccount` overrides default account selection when it matches a configured account id.
- Use `user:<id>` (DM) or `channel:<id>` (guild channel) for delivery targets; bare numeric IDs are rejected.
- Guild slugs are lowercase with spaces replaced by `-`; channel keys use the slugged name (no `#`). Prefer guild IDs.
- Bot-authored messages are ignored by default. `allowBots: true` enables them; use `allowBots: "mentions"` to only accept bot messages that mention the bot (own messages still filtered).
- Channels that support bot-authored inbound messages can use shared [bot loop protection](/channels/bot-loop-protection). Set `channels.defaults.botLoopProtection` for baseline pair budgets, then override the channel or account only when one surface needs different limits.
- `channels.discord.guilds.<id>.ignoreOtherMentions` (and channel overrides) drops messages that mention another user or role but not the bot (excluding @everyone/@here).
- `channels.discord.mentionAliases` maps stable outbound `@handle` text to Discord user IDs before sending, so known teammates can be mentioned deterministically even when the transient directory cache is empty. Per-account overrides live under `channels.discord.accounts.<accountId>.mentionAliases`.
- `maxLinesPerMessage` (default 17) splits tall messages even when under 2000 chars.
- `channels.discord.suppressEmbeds` defaults to `true`, so outbound URLs do not expand into Discord link previews unless disabled. Explicit `embeds` payloads still send normally; per-message tool calls can override with `suppressEmbeds`.
- `channels.discord.threadBindings` controls Discord thread-bound routing:
  - `enabled`: Discord override for thread-bound session features (`/focus`, `/unfocus`, `/agents`, `/session idle`, `/session max-age`, and bound delivery/routing)
  - `idleHours`: Discord override for inactivity auto-unfocus in hours (`0` disables)
  - `maxAgeHours`: Discord override for hard max age in hours (`0` disables)
  - `spawnSessions`: switch for `sessions_spawn({ thread: true })` and ACP thread-spawn auto thread creation/binding (default: `true`)
  - `defaultSpawnContext`: native subagent context for thread-bound spawns (`"fork"` by default)
- Top-level `bindings[]` entries with `type: "acp"` configure persistent ACP bindings for channels and threads (use channel/thread id in `match.peer.id`). Field semantics are shared in [ACP Agents](/tools/acp-agents#persistent-channel-bindings).
- `channels.discord.ui.components.accentColor` sets the accent color for Discord components v2 containers.
- `channels.discord.agentComponents.ttlMs` controls how long sent Discord component callbacks remain registered. The default is `1800000` (30 minutes), the maximum is `86400000` (24 hours), and per-account overrides live under `channels.discord.accounts.<accountId>.agentComponents.ttlMs`. Longer values keep old buttons/selects/forms usable longer, so prefer the shortest TTL that fits the workflow.
- `channels.discord.voice` enables Discord voice channel conversations and optional auto-join + LLM + TTS overrides. Text-only Discord configs leave voice off by default; set `channels.discord.voice.enabled=true` to opt in.
- `channels.discord.voice.model` optionally overrides the LLM model used for Discord voice channel responses.
- `channels.discord.voice.daveEncryption` and `channels.discord.voice.decryptionFailureTolerance` pass through to `@discordjs/voice` DAVE options (`true` and `24` by default).
- `channels.discord.voice.connectTimeoutMs` controls the initial `@discordjs/voice` Ready wait for `/vc join` and auto-join attempts (`30000` by default).
- `channels.discord.voice.reconnectGraceMs` controls how long a disconnected voice session may take to enter reconnect signalling before OpenClaw destroys it (`15000` by default).
- Discord voice playback is not interrupted by another user's speaking-start event. To avoid feedback loops, OpenClaw ignores new voice capture while TTS is playing.
- OpenClaw additionally attempts voice receive recovery by leaving/rejoining a voice session after repeated decrypt failures.
- `channels.discord.streaming` is the canonical stream mode key. Discord defaults to `streaming.mode: "progress"` so tool/work progress appears in one edited preview message; set `streaming.mode: "off"` to disable it. Legacy `streamMode` and boolean `streaming` values remain runtime aliases; run `openclaw doctor --fix` to rewrite persisted config.
- `channels.discord.autoPresence` maps runtime availability to bot presence (healthy => online, degraded => idle, exhausted => dnd) and allows optional status text overrides.
- `channels.discord.dangerouslyAllowNameMatching` re-enables mutable name/tag matching (break-glass compatibility mode).
- `channels.discord.execApprovals`: Discord-native exec approval delivery and approver authorization.
  - `enabled`: `true`, `false`, or `"auto"` (default). In auto mode, exec approvals activate when approvers can be resolved from `approvers` or `commands.ownerAllowFrom`.
  - `approvers`: Discord user IDs allowed to approve exec requests. Falls back to `commands.ownerAllowFrom` when omitted.
  - `agentFilter`: optional agent ID allowlist. Omit to forward approvals for all agents.
  - `sessionFilter`: optional session key patterns (substring or regex).
  - `target`: where to send approval prompts. `"dm"` (default) sends to approver DMs, `"channel"` sends to the originating channel, `"both"` sends to both. When target includes `"channel"`, buttons are only usable by resolved approvers.
  - `cleanupAfterResolve`: when `true`, deletes approval DMs after approval, denial, or timeout.

**Reaction notification modes:** `off` (none), `own` (bot's messages, default), `all` (all messages), `allowlist` (from `guilds.<id>.users` on all messages).

### Google Chat

```json5
{
  channels: {
    googlechat: {
      enabled: true,
      serviceAccountFile: "/path/to/service-account.json",
      audienceType: "app-url", // app-url | project-number
      audience: "https://gateway.example.com/googlechat",
      webhookPath: "/googlechat",
      botUser: "users/1234567890",
      dm: {
        enabled: true,
        policy: "pairing",
        allowFrom: ["users/1234567890"],
      },
      groupPolicy: "allowlist",
      groups: {
        "spaces/AAAA": { allow: true, requireMention: true },
      },
      actions: { reactions: true },
      typingIndicator: "message",
      mediaMaxMb: 20,
    },
  },
}
```

- Service account JSON: inline (`serviceAccount`) or file-based (`serviceAccountFile`).
- Service account SecretRef is also supported (`serviceAccountRef`).
- Env fallbacks: `GOOGLE_CHAT_SERVICE_ACCOUNT` or `GOOGLE_CHAT_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_FILE`.
- Use `spaces/<spaceId>` or `users/<userId>` for delivery targets.
- `channels.googlechat.dangerouslyAllowNameMatching` re-enables mutable email principal matching (break-glass compatibility mode).

### Slack

```json5
{
  channels: {
    slack: {
      enabled: true,
      botToken: "xoxb-...",
      appToken: "xapp-...",
      socketMode: {
        clientPingTimeout: 15000,
        serverPingTimeout: 30000,
        pingPongLoggingEnabled: false,
      },
      dmPolicy: "pairing",
      allowFrom: ["U123", "U456", "*"],
      dm: { enabled: true, groupEnabled: false, groupChannels: ["G123"] },
      channels: {
        C123: { allow: true, requireMention: true, allowBots: false },
        "#general": {
          allow: true,
          requireMention: true,
          allowBots: false,
          users: ["U123"],
          skills: ["docs"],
          systemPrompt: "Short answers only.",
        },
      },
      historyLimit: 50,
      allowBots: false,
      reactionNotifications: "own",
      reactionAllowlist: ["U123"],
      replyToMode: "off", // off | first | all | batched
      thread: {
        historyScope: "thread", // thread | channel
        inheritParent: false,
      },
      actions: {
        reactions: true,
        messages: true,
        pins: true,
        memberInfo: true,
        emojiList: true,
      },
      slashCommand: {
        enabled: true,
        name: "openclaw",
        sessionPrefix: "slack:slash",
        ephemeral: true,
      },
      typingReaction: "hourglass_flowing_sand",
      unfurlLinks: false,
      unfurlMedia: false,
      textChunkLimit: 4000,
      chunkMode: "length",
      streaming: {
        mode: "partial", // off | partial | block | progress
        nativeTransport: true, // use Slack native streaming API when mode=partial
      },
      mediaMaxMb: 20,
      execApprovals: {
        enabled: "auto", // true | false | "auto"
        approvers: ["U123"],
        agentFilter: ["default"],
        sessionFilter: ["slack:"],
        target: "dm", // dm | channel | both
      },
    },
  },
}
```

- **Socket mode** requires both `botToken` and `appToken` (`SLACK_BOT_TOKEN` + `SLACK_APP_TOKEN` for default account env fallback).
- **HTTP mode** requires `botToken` plus `signingSecret` (at root or per-account).
- `socketMode` passes Slack SDK Socket Mode transport tuning through to the public Bolt receiver API. Use it only when investigating ping/pong timeout or stale websocket behavior. `clientPingTimeout` defaults to `15000`; `serverPingTimeout` and `pingPongLoggingEnabled` are passed only when configured.
- `botToken`, `appToken`, `signingSecret`, and `userToken` accept plaintext
  strings or SecretRef objects.
- Slack account snapshots expose per-credential source/status fields such as
  `botTokenSource`, `botTokenStatus`, `appTokenStatus`, and, in HTTP mode,
  `signingSecretStatus`. `configured_unavailable` means the account is
  configured through SecretRef but the current command/runtime path could not
  resolve the secret value.
- `configWrites: false` blocks Slack-initiated config writes.
- Optional `channels.slack.defaultAccount` overrides default account selection when it matches a configured account id.
- `channels.slack.streaming.mode` is the canonical Slack stream mode key. `channels.slack.streaming.nativeTransport` controls Slack's native streaming transport. Legacy `streamMode`, boolean `streaming`, and `nativeStreaming` values remain runtime aliases; run `openclaw doctor --fix` to rewrite persisted config.
- `unfurlLinks` and `unfurlMedia` pass Slack's `chat.postMessage` link and media unfurl booleans through for bot replies. `unfurlLinks` defaults to `false` so outbound bot links do not expand inline unless enabled; `unfurlMedia` is omitted unless configured. Set either value at `channels.slack.accounts.<accountId>` to override the top-level value for one account.
- Use `user:<id>` (DM) or `channel:<id>` for delivery targets.

**Reaction notification modes:** `off`, `own` (default), `all`, `allowlist` (from `reactionAllowlist`).

**Thread session isolation:** `thread.historyScope` is per-thread (default) or shared across channel. `thread.inheritParent` copies parent channel transcript to new threads.

- Slack native streaming plus the Slack assistant-style "is typing..." thread status require a reply thread target. Top-level DMs stay off-thread by default, so they can still stream through Slack draft post-and-edit previews instead of showing the thread-style native stream/status preview.
- `typingReaction` adds a temporary reaction to the inbound Slack message while a reply is running, then removes it on completion. Use a Slack emoji shortcode such as `"hourglass_flowing_sand"`.
- `channels.slack.execApprovals`: Slack-native approval-client delivery and exec approver authorization. Same schema as Discord: `enabled` (`true`/`false`/`"auto"`), `approvers` (Slack user IDs), `agentFilter`, `sessionFilter`, and `target` (`"dm"`, `"channel"`, or `"both"`). Plugin approvals can use this native-client path for Slack-origin requests when Slack plugin approvers resolve; Slack-native plugin approval delivery can also be enabled through `approvals.plugin` for Slack-origin sessions or Slack targets. Plugin approvals use Slack plugin approvers from `allowFrom` and default routing, not exec approvers.

| Action group | Default | Notes                  |
| ------------ | ------- | ---------------------- |
| reactions    | enabled | React + list reactions |
| messages     | enabled | Read/send/edit/delete  |
| pins         | enabled | Pin/unpin/list         |
| memberInfo   | enabled | Member info            |
| emojiList    | enabled | Custom emoji list      |

### Mattermost

Mattermost ships as a bundled plugin in current OpenClaw releases. Older or
custom builds can install a current npm package with
`openclaw plugins install @openclaw/mattermost`. Check
[npmjs.com/package/@openclaw/mattermost](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@openclaw/mattermost)
for the current dist-tags before pinning a version.

```json5
{
  channels: {
    mattermost: {
      enabled: true,
      botToken: "mm-token",
      baseUrl: "https://chat.example.com",
      dmPolicy: "pairing",
      chatmode: "oncall", // oncall | onmessage | onchar
      oncharPrefixes: [">", "!"],
      groups: {
        "*": { requireMention: true },
        "team-channel-id": { requireMention: false },
      },
      commands: {
        native: true, // opt-in
        nativeSkills: true,
        callbackPath: "/api/channels/mattermost/command",
        // Optional explicit URL for reverse-proxy/public deployments
        callbackUrl: "https://gateway.example.com/api/channels/mattermost/command",
      },
      textChunkLimit: 4000,
      chunkMode: "length",
    },
  },
}
```

Chat modes: `oncall` (respond on @-mention, default), `onmessage` (every message), `onchar` (messages starting with trigger prefix).

When Mattermost native commands are enabled:

- `commands.callbackPath` must be a path (for example `/api/channels/mattermost/command`), not a full URL.
- `commands.callbackUrl` must resolve to the OpenClaw gateway endpoint and be reachable from the Mattermost server.
- Native slash callbacks are authenticated with the per-command tokens returned
  by Mattermost during slash command registration. If registration fails or no
  commands are activated, OpenClaw rejects callbacks with
  `Unauthorized: invalid command token.`
- For private/tailnet/internal callback hosts, Mattermost may require
  `ServiceSettings.AllowedUntrustedInternalConnections` to include the callback host/domain.
  Use host/domain values, not full URLs.
- `channels.mattermost.configWrites`: allow or deny Mattermost-initiated config writes.
- `channels.mattermost.requireMention`: require `@mention` before replying in channels.
- `channels.mattermost.groups.<channelId>.requireMention`: per-channel mention-gating override (`"*"` for default).
- Optional `channels.mattermost.defaultAccount` overrides default account selection when it matches a configured account id.

### Signal

```json5
{
  channels: {
    signal: {
      enabled: true,
      account: "+15555550123", // optional account binding
      dmPolicy: "pairing",
      allowFrom: ["+15551234567", "uuid:123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174000"],
      configWrites: true,
      reactionNotifications: "own", // off | own | all | allowlist
      reactionAllowlist: ["+15551234567", "uuid:123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174000"],
      historyLimit: 50,
    },
  },
}
```

**Reaction notification modes:** `off`, `own` (default), `all`, `allowlist` (from `reactionAllowlist`).

- `channels.signal.account`: pin channel startup to a specific Signal account identity.
- `channels.signal.configWrites`: allow or deny Signal-initiated config writes.
- Optional `channels.signal.defaultAccount` overrides default account selection when it matches a configured account id.

### iMessage

OpenClaw spawns `imsg rpc` (JSON-RPC over stdio). No daemon or port required. This is the preferred path for new OpenClaw iMessage setups when the host can grant Messages database and Automation permissions.

BlueBubbles support was removed. `channels.bluebubbles` is not a supported runtime config surface on current OpenClaw. Migrate old configs to `channels.imessage`; use [BlueBubbles removal and the imsg iMessage path](/announcements/bluebubbles-imessage) for the short version and [Coming from BlueBubbles](/channels/imessage-from-bluebubbles) for the full translation table.

If the Gateway is not running on the signed-in Messages Mac, keep `channels.imessage.enabled=true` and set `channels.imessage.cliPath` to an SSH wrapper that runs `imsg "$@"` on that Mac. The default local `imsg` path is macOS-only.

Before relying on an SSH wrapper for production sends, verify an outbound `imsg send` through that exact wrapper. Some macOS TCC states assign Messages Automation to `/usr/libexec/sshd-keygen-wrapper`, which can make reads and probes work while sends fail with AppleEvents `-1743`; see [SSH wrapper sends fail with AppleEvents -1743](/channels/imessage#ssh-wrapper-sends-fail-with-appleevents-1743).

```json5
{
  channels: {
    imessage: {
      enabled: true,
      cliPath: "imsg",
      dbPath: "~/Library/Messages/chat.db",
      remoteHost: "user@gateway-host",
      dmPolicy: "pairing",
      allowFrom: ["+15555550123", "user@example.com", "chat_id:123"],
      historyLimit: 50,
      includeAttachments: false,
      attachmentRoots: ["/Users/*/Library/Messages/Attachments"],
      remoteAttachmentRoots: ["/Users/*/Library/Messages/Attachments"],
      mediaMaxMb: 16,
      service: "auto",
      sendTransport: "auto",
      region: "US",
      actions: {
        reactions: true,
        edit: true,
        unsend: true,
        reply: true,
        sendWithEffect: true,
        sendAttachment: true,
      },
    },
  },
}
```

- Optional `channels.imessage.defaultAccount` overrides default account selection when it matches a configured account id.

- Requires Full Disk Access to the Messages DB.
- Prefer `chat_id:<id>` targets. Use `imsg chats --limit 20` to list chats.
- `cliPath` can point to an SSH wrapper; set `remoteHost` (`host` or `user@host`) for SCP attachment fetching.
- `attachmentRoots` and `remoteAttachmentRoots` restrict inbound attachment paths (default: `/Users/*/Library/Messages/Attachments`).
- SCP uses strict host-key checking, so ensure the relay host key already exists in `~/.ssh/known_hosts`.
- `channels.imessage.configWrites`: allow or deny iMessage-initiated config writes.
- `channels.imessage.sendTransport`: preferred `imsg` RPC send transport for normal outbound replies. `auto` (default) uses the IMCore bridge for existing chats when it is running, then falls back to AppleScript; `bridge` requires private-API delivery; `applescript` forces the public Messages automation path.
- `channels.imessage.actions.*`: enable private API actions that are also gated by `imsg status` / `openclaw channels status --probe`.
- `channels.imessage.includeAttachments` is off by default; set it to `true` before expecting inbound media in agent turns.
- Inbound recovery after a bridge/gateway restart is automatic (GUID dedupe plus a stale-backlog age fence). Existing `channels.imessage.catchup.enabled: true` configs are still honored as a deprecated compatibility profile.
- `channels.imessage.groups`: group registry and per-group settings. With `groupPolicy: "allowlist"`, configure either explicit `chat_id` keys or a `"*"` wildcard entry so group messages can pass the registry gate.
- Top-level `bindings[]` entries with `type: "acp"` can bind iMessage conversations to persistent ACP sessions. Use a normalized handle or explicit chat target (`chat_id:*`, `chat_guid:*`, `chat_identifier:*`) in `match.peer.id`. Shared field semantics: [ACP Agents](/tools/acp-agents#persistent-channel-bindings).

<Accordion title="iMessage SSH wrapper example">

```bash
#!/usr/bin/env bash
exec ssh -T gateway-host imsg "$@"
```

</Accordion>

### Matrix

Matrix is plugin-backed and configured under `channels.matrix`.

```json5
{
  channels: {
    matrix: {
      enabled: true,
      homeserver: "https://matrix.example.org",
      accessToken: "syt_bot_xxx",
      proxy: "http://127.0.0.1:7890",
      encryption: true,
      initialSyncLimit: 20,
      defaultAccount: "ops",
      accounts: {
        ops: {
          name: "Ops",
          userId: "@ops:example.org",
          accessToken: "syt_ops_xxx",
        },
        alerts: {
          userId: "@alerts:example.org",
          password: "secret",
          proxy: "http://127.0.0.1:7891",
        },
      },
    },
  },
}
```

- Token auth uses `accessToken`; password auth uses `userId` + `password`.
- `channels.matrix.proxy` routes Matrix HTTP traffic through an explicit HTTP(S) proxy. Named accounts can override it with `channels.matrix.accounts.<id>.proxy`.
- `channels.matrix.network.dangerouslyAllowPrivateNetwork` allows private/internal homeservers. `proxy` and this network opt-in are independent controls.
- `channels.matrix.defaultAccount` selects the preferred account in multi-account setups.
- `channels.matrix.autoJoin` defaults to `off`, so invited rooms and fresh DM-style invites are ignored until you set `autoJoin: "allowlist"` with `autoJoinAllowlist` or `autoJoin: "always"`.
- `channels.matrix.execApprovals`: Matrix-native exec approval delivery and approver authorization.
  - `enabled`: `true`, `false`, or `"auto"` (default). In auto mode, exec approvals activate when approvers can be resolved from `approvers` or `commands.ownerAllowFrom`.
  - `approvers`: Matrix user IDs (e.g. `@owner:example.org`) allowed to approve exec requests.
  - `agentFilter`: optional agent ID allowlist. Omit to forward approvals for all agents.
  - `sessionFilter`: optional session key patterns (substring or regex).
  - `target`: where to send approval prompts. `"dm"` (default), `"channel"` (originating room), or `"both"`.
  - Per-account overrides: `channels.matrix.accounts.<id>.execApprovals`.
- `channels.matrix.dm.sessionScope` controls how Matrix DMs group into sessions: `per-user` (default) shares by routed peer, while `per-room` isolates each DM room.
- Matrix status probes and live directory lookups use the same proxy policy as runtime traffic.
- Full Matrix configuration, targeting rules, and setup examples are documented in [Matrix](/channels/matrix).

### Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is plugin-backed and configured under `channels.msteams`.

```json5
{
  channels: {
    msteams: {
      enabled: true,
      configWrites: true,
      // appId, appPassword, tenantId, webhook, team/channel policies:
      // see /channels/msteams
    },
  },
}
```

- Core key paths covered here: `channels.msteams`, `channels.msteams.configWrites`.
- Full Teams config (credentials, webhook, DM/group policy, per-team/per-channel overrides) is documented in [Microsoft Teams](/channels/msteams).

### IRC

IRC is plugin-backed and configured under `channels.irc`.

```json5
{
  channels: {
    irc: {
      enabled: true,
      dmPolicy: "pairing",
      configWrites: true,
      nickserv: {
        enabled: true,
        service: "NickServ",
        password: "${IRC_NICKSERV_PASSWORD}",
        register: false,
        registerEmail: "bot@example.com",
      },
    },
  },
}
```

- Core key paths covered here: `channels.irc`, `channels.irc.dmPolicy`, `channels.irc.configWrites`, `channels.irc.nickserv.*`.
- Optional `channels.irc.defaultAccount` overrides default account selection when it matches a configured account id.
- Full IRC channel configuration (host/port/TLS/channels/allowlists/mention gating) is documented in [IRC](/channels/irc).

### Multi-account (all channels)

Run multiple accounts per channel (each with its own `accountId`):

```json5
{
  channels: {
    telegram: {
      accounts: {
        default: {
          name: "Primary bot",
          botToken: "123456:ABC...",
        },
        alerts: {
          name: "Alerts bot",
          botToken: "987654:XYZ...",
        },
      },
    },
  },
}
```

- `default` is used when `accountId` is omitted (CLI + routing).
- Env tokens only apply to the **default** account.
- Base channel settings apply to all accounts unless overridden per account.
- Use `bindings[].match.accountId` to route each account to a different agent.
- If you add a non-default account via `openclaw channels add` (or channel onboarding) while still on a single-account top-level channel config, OpenClaw promotes account-scoped top-level single-account values into the channel account map first so the original account keeps working. Most channels move them into `channels.<channel>.accounts.default`; Matrix can preserve an existing matching named/default target instead.
- Existing channel-only bindings (no `accountId`) keep matching the default account; account-scoped bindings remain optional.
- `openclaw doctor --fix` also repairs mixed shapes by moving account-scoped top-level single-account values into the promoted account chosen for that channel. Most channels use `accounts.default`; Matrix can preserve an existing matching named/default target instead.

### Other plugin channels

Many plugin channels are configured as `channels.<id>` and documented in their dedicated channel pages (for example Feishu, Matrix, LINE, Nostr, Zalo, Nextcloud Talk, Synology Chat, and Twitch).
See the full channel index: [Channels](/channels).

### Group chat mention gating

Group messages default to **require mention** (metadata mention or safe regex patterns). Applies to WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Google Chat, and iMessage group chats.

Visible replies are controlled separately. Normal group, channel, and internal WebChat direct requests default to automatic final delivery: final assistant text posts through the legacy visible reply path. Opt into `messages.visibleReplies: "message_tool"` or `messages.groupChat.visibleReplies: "message_tool"` when visible output should only post after the agent calls `message(action=send)`. If the model returns final text without calling the message tool in an opted-in tool-only mode, that final text stays private and the gateway verbose log records suppressed payload metadata.

Tool-only visible replies require a model/runtime that reliably calls tools, and are recommended for shared ambient rooms on latest-generation models such as GPT 5.5. Some weaker models can answer final text but fail to understand that source-visible output must be sent with `message(action=send)`. For those models, use `"automatic"` so the final assistant turn is the visible reply path. If the session log shows assistant text with `didSendViaMessagingTool: false`, the model produced private final text instead of calling the message tool. Switch to a stronger tool-calling model for that channel, inspect the gateway verbose log for the suppressed payload summary, or set `messages.groupChat.visibleReplies: "automatic"` to use visible final replies for every group/channel request.

If the message tool is unavailable under the active tool policy, OpenClaw falls back to automatic visible replies instead of silently suppressing the response. `openclaw doctor` warns about this mismatch.

This rule applies to normal agent final text. Plugin-owned conversation bindings use the owning plugin's returned reply as the visible response for claimed bound-thread turns; the plugin does not need to call `message(action=send)` for those binding replies.

**Troubleshooting: group @mention triggers typing then silence (no error)**

Symptom: a group/channel @mention shows the typing indicator and the gateway log reports `dispatch complete (queuedFinal=false, replies=0)`, but no message lands in the room. DMs to the same agent reply normally.

Cause: the group/channel visible-reply mode resolves to `"message_tool"`, so OpenClaw runs the turn but suppresses the final assistant text unless the agent calls `message(action=send)`. There is no `NO_REPLY` contract in this mode; no message-tool call means no source reply. There is no error because suppression is the configured behavior. Normal group and channel turns default to `"automatic"`, so this symptom only appears when `messages.groupChat.visibleReplies` (or global `messages.visibleReplies`) is explicitly set to `"message_tool"`. Harness `defaultVisibleReplies` does not apply here — the group/channel resolver ignores it; it only affects direct/source chats (the Codex harness suppresses direct-chat finals that way).

Fix: either pick a stronger tool-calling model, remove the explicit `"message_tool"` override to fall back to the `"automatic"` default, or set `messages.groupChat.visibleReplies: "automatic"` to force visible replies for every group/channel request. The gateway hot-reloads `messages` config after the file is saved; only restart the gateway when file watching or config reload is disabled in the deployment.

**Mention types:**

- **Metadata mentions**: Native platform @-mentions. Ignored in WhatsApp self-chat mode.
- **Text patterns**: Safe regex patterns in `agents.list[].groupChat.mentionPatterns`. Invalid patterns and unsafe nested repetition are ignored.
- Mention gating is enforced only when detection is possible (native mentions or at least one pattern).

```json5
{
  messages: {
    visibleReplies: "automatic", // force old automatic final replies for direct/source chats
    groupChat: {
      historyLimit: 50,
      unmentionedInbound: "room_event", // always-on unmentioned room chatter becomes quiet context
      visibleReplies: "message_tool", // opt-in; require message(action=send) for visible room replies
    },
  },
  agents: {
    list: [{ id: "main", groupChat: { mentionPatterns: ["@openclaw", "openclaw"] } }],
  },
}
```

`messages.groupChat.historyLimit` sets the global default. Channels can override with `channels.<channel>.historyLimit` (or per-account). Set `0` to disable.

`messages.groupChat.unmentionedInbound: "room_event"` submits unmentioned always-on group/channel messages as quiet room context on supported channels. Mentioned messages, commands, and direct messages remain user requests. See [Ambient room events](/channels/ambient-room-events) for complete Discord, Slack, and Telegram examples.

`messages.visibleReplies` is the global source-event default; `messages.groupChat.visibleReplies` overrides it for group/channel source events. When `messages.visibleReplies` is unset, direct/source chats use the selected runtime or harness default, but internal WebChat direct turns use automatic final delivery for Pi/Codex prompt parity. Set `messages.visibleReplies: "message_tool"` to intentionally require `message(action=send)` for visible output. Channel allowlists and mention gating still decide whether an event is processed.

#### DM history limits

```json5
{
  channels: {
    telegram: {
      dmHistoryLimit: 30,
      dms: {
        "123456789": { historyLimit: 50 },
      },
    },
  },
}
```

Resolution: per-DM override → provider default → no limit (all retained).

Supported: `telegram`, `whatsapp`, `discord`, `slack`, `signal`, `imessage`, `msteams`.

#### Self-chat mode

Include your own number in `allowFrom` to enable self-chat mode (ignores native @-mentions, only responds to text patterns):

```json5
{
  channels: {
    whatsapp: {
      allowFrom: ["+15555550123"],
      groups: { "*": { requireMention: true } },
    },
  },
  agents: {
    list: [
      {
        id: "main",
        groupChat: { mentionPatterns: ["reisponde", "@openclaw"] },
      },
    ],
  },
}
```

### Commands (chat command handling)

```json5
{
  commands: {
    native: "auto", // register native commands when supported
    nativeSkills: "auto", // register native skill commands when supported
    text: true, // parse /commands in chat messages
    bash: false, // allow ! (alias: /bash)
    bashForegroundMs: 2000,
    config: false, // allow /config
    mcp: false, // allow /mcp
    plugins: false, // allow /plugins
    debug: false, // allow /debug
    restart: true, // allow /restart + gateway restart tool
    ownerAllowFrom: ["discord:123456789012345678"],
    ownerDisplay: "raw", // raw | hash
    ownerDisplaySecret: "${OWNER_ID_HASH_SECRET}",
    allowFrom: {
      "*": ["user1"],
      discord: ["user:123"],
    },
    useAccessGroups: true,
  },
}
```

<Accordion title="Command details">

- This block configures command surfaces. For the current built-in + bundled command catalog, see [Slash Commands](/tools/slash-commands).
- This page is a **config-key reference**, not the full command catalog. Channel/plugin-owned commands such as QQ Bot `/bot-ping` `/bot-help` `/bot-logs`, LINE `/card`, device-pair `/pair`, memory `/dreaming`, phone-control `/phone`, and Talk `/voice` are documented in their channel/plugin pages plus [Slash Commands](/tools/slash-commands).
- Text commands must be **standalone** messages with leading `/`.
- `native: "auto"` turns on native commands for Discord/Telegram, leaves Slack off.
- `nativeSkills: "auto"` turns on native skill commands for Discord/Telegram, leaves Slack off.
- Override per channel: `channels.discord.commands.native` (bool or `"auto"`). For Discord, `false` skips native command registration and cleanup during startup.
- Override native skill registration per channel with `channels.<provider>.commands.nativeSkills`.
- `channels.telegram.customCommands` adds extra Telegram bot menu entries.
- `bash: true` enables `! <cmd>` for host shell. Requires `tools.elevated.enabled` and sender in `tools.elevated.allowFrom.<channel>`.
- `config: true` enables `/config` (reads/writes `openclaw.json`). For gateway `chat.send` clients, persistent `/config set|unset` writes also require `operator.admin`; read-only `/config show` stays available to normal write-scoped operator clients.
- `mcp: true` enables `/mcp` for OpenClaw-managed MCP server config under `mcp.servers`.
- `plugins: true` enables `/plugins` for plugin discovery, install, and enable/disable controls.
- `channels.<provider>.configWrites` gates config mutations per channel (default: true).
- For multi-account channels, `channels.<provider>.accounts.<id>.configWrites` also gates writes that target that account (for example `/allowlist --config --account <id>` or `/config set channels.<provider>.accounts.<id>...`).
- `restart: false` disables `/restart` and gateway restart tool actions. Default: `true`.
- `ownerAllowFrom` is the explicit owner allowlist for owner-only commands and owner-gated channel actions. It is separate from `allowFrom`.
- `ownerDisplay: "hash"` hashes owner ids in the system prompt. Set `ownerDisplaySecret` to control hashing.
- `allowFrom` is per-provider. When set, it is the **only** authorization source (channel allowlists/pairing and `useAccessGroups` are ignored).
- `useAccessGroups: false` allows commands to bypass access-group policies when `allowFrom` is not set.
- Command docs map:
  - built-in + bundled catalog: [Slash Commands](/tools/slash-commands)
  - channel-specific command surfaces: [Channels](/channels)
  - QQ Bot commands: [QQ Bot](/channels/qqbot)
  - pairing commands: [Pairing](/channels/pairing)
  - LINE card command: [LINE](/channels/line)
  - memory dreaming: [Dreaming](/concepts/dreaming)

</Accordion>

---

## Related

- [Configuration reference](/gateway/configuration-reference) — top-level keys
- [Configuration — agents](/gateway/config-agents)
- [Channels overview](/channels)
