OpenClaw supports 20+ chat platforms, but the official docs spread config details across multiple pages. This guide consolidates everything into one workflow: create bots → configure YAML → set permissions → deploy. Covers Telegram (BotFather), Discord (Developer Portal), WhatsApp (Cloud API), and Slack (App Manifest).

How to Connect OpenClaw to Telegram, Discord, WhatsApp & Slack (2026 Complete Setup)

One AI assistant. Four chat platforms. Zero cloud lock-in. This guide takes you from zero to a fully deployed OpenClaw gateway on Telegram, Discord, WhatsApp, and Slack.

Before You Start

What You Need

Quick Architecture

Telegram Bot ─┐
Discord Bot ──┤
WhatsApp ─────┼──▶ OpenClaw Gateway ──▶ AI Model (Claude/GPT/etc)
Slack Bot ────┘

Each platform sends messages to the same OpenClaw gateway. The assistant responds in the channel you messaged from.

1. Telegram Setup

Step 1: Create a Bot via BotFather

1. Open Telegram and search for @BotFather
2. Send /newbot and follow the prompts
3. Save the token — it looks like 123456:ABC-DEF1234ghIkl-zyx57W2v1u123ew11

Step 2: Configure OpenClaw

openclaw config set channels.telegram.enabled true
openclaw config set channels.telegram.token "YOUR_BOT_TOKEN_HERE"
openclaw config set channels.telegram.name "My AI Assistant"

Step 3: Set Bot Commands (Optional but Recommended)

Send these to BotFather:

/help — Show available commands
/chat — Start a conversation
/reset — Clear conversation history

Step 4: Restart & Test

openclaw gateway restart

Open your bot in Telegram and send /start. If OpenClaw replies, you're set.

Troubleshooting: No Reply

2. Discord Setup

Step 1: Create a Discord Application

1. Go to Discord Developer Portal
2. Click New Application — name it whatever you like
3. Go to Bot → Add Bot
4. Copy the Token (click Reset if needed)

Step 2: Enable Privileged Gateway Intents

Under the Bot settings, enable: - ✅ MESSAGE CONTENT INTENT — this is required or your bot cannot read messages - ✅ SERVER MEMBERS INTENT (optional) - ✅ PRESENCE INTENT (optional)

Step 3: Configure OpenClaw

openclaw config set channels.discord.enabled true
openclaw config set channels.discord.token "YOUR_DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN"
openclaw config set channels.discord.name "AI Assistant"

Step 4: Invite Bot to Your Server

Build the OAuth2 URL: 1. Go to OAuth2 → URL Generator 2. Scopes: ✅ bot ✅ applications.commands 3. Bot Permissions: ✅ Send Messages ✅ Read Message History ✅ Use Slash Commands 4. Copy the generated URL and open it in a browser 5. Select your server and authorize

Step 5: Restart & Test

openclaw gateway restart

In your Discord server, type @YourBot hello and it should reply.

Troubleshooting

3. WhatsApp Setup

WhatsApp integration uses the WhatsApp Cloud API (Meta's official API). This is the only approach that works reliably — DO NOT use unofficial libraries (they get banned within days).

Step 1: Create a Meta Business Account

1. Go to Meta Developer Portal
2. Click Create App → Business → Next
3. Add WhatsApp product to your app
4. Navigate to WhatsApp → API Setup

Step 2: Get Your Credentials

You'll need: - Phone Number ID — found in API Setup - Access Token — generated in API Setup (valid for 24h, or create a permanent token) - Verify Token — any string you choose (used for webhook verification)

Step 3: Configure OpenClaw

openclaw config set channels.whatsapp.enabled true
openclaw config set channels.whatsapp.phone_number_id "YOUR_PHONE_NUMBER_ID"
openclaw config set channels.whatsapp.access_token "YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN"
openclaw config set channels.whatsapp.verify_token "my_verify_token_123"

Step 4: Set Up the Webhook

1. In Meta Dashboard → WhatsApp → Configuration
2. Callback URL: https://your-openclaw-domain.com/webhook/whatsapp
3. Verify Token: the same string you set above
4. Click Verify and save

Step 5: Subscribe to Webhook Events

Under Webhook Fields, subscribe to: - ✅ messages — required to receive messages - ✅ message_deliveries — optional delivery receipts

Step 6: Restart

openclaw gateway restart

Send a message to your WhatsApp business number. You should get a reply.

Important: WhatsApp Requirements

4. Slack Setup

Step 1: Create a Slack App

1. Go to Slack API
2. Click Create New App → From Manifest
3. Choose your workspace

Step 2: Define the App Manifest

Use this YAML manifest:

display_information:
  name: OpenClaw Assistant
features:
  bot_user:
    display_name: OpenClaw
    always_online: true
  slash_commands:
    - command: /ask
      description: Ask OpenClaw a question
      usage_hint: "[your question]"
oauth_config:
  scopes:
    bot:
      - chat:write
      - channels:history
      - groups:history
      - im:history
      - mpim:history
      - app_mentions:read
settings:
  event_subscriptions:
    request_url: https://your-openclaw-domain.com/webhook/slack
    bot_events:
      - message.channels
      - message.groups
      - message.im
      - app_mention
  interactivity:
    is_enabled: true

Step 3: Install the App

1. Go to OAuth & Permissions
2. Click Install to Workspace
3. Copy the Bot User OAuth Token (starts with xoxb-)

Step 4: Configure OpenClaw

openclaw config set channels.slack.enabled true
openclaw config set channels.slack.token "xoxb-YOUR_SLACK_BOT_TOKEN"
openclaw config set channels.slack.signing_secret "YOUR_SIGNING_SECRET"
openclaw config set channels.slack.name "OpenClaw"

The signing secret is found under Basic Information → App Credentials.

Step 5: Restart & Test

openclaw gateway restart

In Slack, message your bot directly or @ it in a channel. Type /ask what's the weather today? to test slash commands.

5. Running All Channels Simultaneously

The Gateway Config

OpenClaw handles multi-channel natively. Once all channels are configured, your ~/.openclaw/config.yaml should include:

gateway:
  port: 8080
  host: 0.0.0.0

channels:
  telegram:
    enabled: true
    token: "your_telegram_token"
  discord:
    enabled: true
    token: "your_discord_token"
  whatsapp:
    enabled: true
    phone_number_id: "your_phone_number_id"
    access_token: "your_access_token"
  slack:
    enabled: true
    token: "xoxb-your_slack_token"
    signing_secret: "your_signing_secret"

Verify Everything is Running

openclaw gateway status --deep

You should see all four channels as connected.

Per-Channel Agent Configuration (Advanced)

Want different AI behavior per channel? Use the agent field:

channels:
  telegram:
    enabled: true
    agent: "fast-reply"  # Quick, concise responses
  discord:
    enabled: true
    agent: "code-assist"  # Code-focused with longer context
  whatsapp:
    enabled: true
    agent: "default"      # Balanced

Define agents in the agents section of your config.

Cost & Performance Notes

Token Usage by Platform

Token-Saving Tips

1. 预处理URL，提取关键内容后发送给AI，减少Token消耗
2. Set context_window: 4000 to limit history per conversation
3. Enable session_timeout: 3600 to auto-clear idle conversations
4. Use a cheaper model (e.g., Claude Haiku or GPT-4o-mini) for high-volume channels

Pair with local caching to cut token costs on document-heavyent-heavy workflows.

Quick Reference: Channel Comparison

*WhatsApp requires business verification but no monthly fee

Summary

Running OpenClaw across all four platforms takes about 45 minutes of setup time. The key takeaways:

1. Telegram is the easiest — 5 minutes, BotFather handles everything
2. Discord needs MESSAGE CONTENT INTENT — the single biggest gotcha
3. WhatsApp needs business verification — plan for 1-2 days of approval time
4. Slack needs a public webhook URL — requires your gateway to be publicly accessible

Once configured, you have a single AI assistant accessible from any chat app you use. That's the entire point of OpenClaw.

Published: 2026-07-12 | Edit on GitHub

Related: OpenClaw Installation Guide · Cut 80% Token Cost with save2kb