Clawnest help article

How to Connect WhatsApp, Telegram, or Discord to Your OpenClaw Assistant on ClawNest

Connect Telegram, WhatsApp, or Discord to your ClawNest OpenClaw assistant in minutes. Step-by-step guide for messaging your AI from your phone without technical knowledge.

Feb 23, 2026

Your OpenClaw assistant is running, but you're still opening a browser tab to chat with it.

What if you could message your AI assistant directly from WhatsApp, Telegram, or Discordโ€”the apps you already use every day?

That's what this guide will show you how to do. No coding. No configuration files. Just a conversation with your assistant that sets everything up.

Let's get started. ๐Ÿฆž

Why Connect Messaging Apps?

Before we dive into the how, here's why this is game-changing:

๐Ÿ“ฑ Chat from anywhere

  • Your phone, tablet, or computer

  • No need to log into ClawNest dashboard

  • Works offline (messages queue until you're back online)

๐Ÿ’ฌ Natural messaging experience

  • Use the app you're most comfortable with

  • Voice messages supported (Telegram, WhatsApp)

  • Group chats possible (Discord)

๐Ÿ”” Instant notifications

  • Get alerts when your assistant completes tasks

  • Morning briefing arrives as a message

  • Price drop alerts appear in your chat app

Real-world examples:

  • "Send a WhatsApp message from bed: 'What's on my calendar today?'"

  • "Ask your Telegram bot: 'Summarize my unread emails from the past hour'"

  • "Message your Discord bot: 'Track Bitcoin price and alert me if it drops below $50k'"

This turns your assistant from a web tool into a personal AI companion in your pocket.

What You'll Need

Prerequisites:

  • โœ… OpenClaw assistant already set up on ClawNest (see Initial Setup Guide)

  • โœ… Your ClawNest gateway open in a browser tab

  • โœ… One of these accounts:

    • Telegram account (recommended for beginners)

    • WhatsApp account

    • Discord account

Time required:

  • Telegram: 5 minutes

  • WhatsApp: 3 minutes

  • Discord: 7 minutes

Technical knowledge: Zero. If you can install an app and scan a QR code, you can do this.

Understanding How It Works (The Simple Version)

Here's what's about to happen in plain English:

Step 1: You tell your OpenClaw assistant (via the web chat): "Help me set up [Telegram/WhatsApp/Discord]"

Step 2: Your assistant walks you through creating a connection:

  • Telegram: Create a bot (like a phone number for your AI)

  • WhatsApp: Scan a QR code (like linking WhatsApp Web)

  • Discord: Create a bot and invite it to your server

Step 3: Your assistant saves the connection and starts listening for messages

Step 4: You message your bot/assistant from your phone, and it works!

That's it. The assistant guides you through every step. You just follow its instructions.

Why does it work this way? These messaging platforms require "bots" (automated accounts) to talk to them programmatically. Your OpenClaw assistant becomes that bot, so when you message the bot, you're actually talking to your AI.

Method 1: Connect Telegram (Easiest, Recommended First)

Why Telegram first? It's the simplest to set up, has the best support for bots, and works great on both mobile and desktop.

Step 1: Open Your OpenClaw Gateway Chat

  1. Go to app.clawnest.co

  2. Click on your assistant

  3. Click "Open Gateway" (opens your OpenClaw control panel)

  4. Navigate to the "Chat" tab

You should see your conversation history with your assistant.

Step 2: Ask Your Assistant for Help

In the chat, type exactly this:

Press Enter.
Step 3: Follow Your Assistant's Instructions
Your assistant will respond with step-by-step instructions. Here's what it will ask you to do:
Instruction 1: Open Telegram and Find BotFather
Your assistant will say something like:
"To create a Telegram bot, you need to talk to BotFather in Telegram. Here's what to do:
  1. Open Telegram on your phone or computer
  2. In the search bar, type: @BotFather
  3. Click on the official BotFather bot (it has a blue checkmark)
  4. Click 'Start' to begin talking to it"
Go ahead and do that. BotFather is Telegram's official bot for creating other bots.
Instruction 2: Create Your Bot
Your assistant will guide you:
"Now, in your chat with BotFather, send this command:
/newbot
BotFather will ask you two questions:
  1. What should your bot be called? (Example: 'My Personal Assistant')
  2. What should the username be? (Must end in 'bot', example: 'MyPersonalAssistant_bot')
Answer both questions."
Follow BotFather's prompts.
Important: The username must be unique across all of Telegram. If your first choice is taken, try adding numbers (like MyAssistant2024_bot).
Instruction 3: Copy Your Bot Token
After you create the bot, BotFather sends you a message like:






Copy that long token (the line that looks like 1234567890:ABC...). This is your bot's password.
Instruction 4: Paste the Token Back to Your Assistant
Return to your OpenClaw gateway chat. Your assistant is waiting for the token:
"Great! Now paste the bot token that BotFather gave you here."
Paste the token and press Enter.
Your assistant will say:
"Perfect! I've connected to Telegram. Now let's pair your account so only you can talk to me through this bot."
Step 4: Pair Your Telegram Account
Your assistant will give you a pairing code (a short phrase like pair ocean sunset or a number like 42857).
Instruction:
"Go to Telegram and start a chat with your new bot. You can find it by searching for @YourBot_bot.
Send this pairing code to the bot:
pair ocean sunset
This ensures only your Telegram account can talk to me."
Do this:
  1. In Telegram, search for your bot's username (e.g., @MyAssistant_bot)
  2. Click on it to open a chat
  3. Click "Start" (required for bots)
  4. Send the pairing code exactly as shown
What happens next:
Your assistant (through the bot) will respond in Telegram:






Step 5: Test It
In your Telegram chat with the bot, send:
Your assistant should respond immediately with something like:
๐ŸŽ‰ Congratulations! Your Telegram connection is live.
From now on:
  • You can message your assistant from Telegram instead of the web gateway
  • All conversations sync across platforms (Telegram, web chat, etc.)
  • Notifications arrive on your phone
Method 2: Connect WhatsApp (Like WhatsApp Web)
How it works: You'll scan a QR code just like linking WhatsApp Web to your computer. Your OpenClaw assistant becomes a "linked device."
Step 1: Ask Your Assistant for Help
In your OpenClaw gateway chat, type:
Press Enter.
Step 2: Follow the Assistant's Instructions
Your assistant will respond:
"To connect WhatsApp, I'll generate a QR code. You'll scan it with your phone, just like linking WhatsApp Web.
First, I need to know your phone number for security (only you will be able to message me through WhatsApp).
What's your phone number? (Format: +33612345678)"
Enter your phone number with the country code (e.g., +1 for US, +33 for France, +44 for UK).
Step 3: Scan the QR Code
Your assistant will display a QR code in the chat window:
"Here's your QR code. Follow these steps:
  1. Open WhatsApp on your phone
  2. Tap the three dots (โ‹ฎ) in the top right (Android) or Settings (iPhone)
  3. Tap 'Linked Devices'
  4. Tap 'Link a Device'
  5. Scan this QR code with your phone's camera"
Do exactly that. The QR code appears as an image in your OpenClaw chat.
What you'll see on your phone:
WhatsApp will say: "Link this device?" with a preview showing "OpenClaw Assistant"
Tap "Link".
Step 4: Wait for Confirmation
Your assistant will confirm in the chat:
"โœ… WhatsApp linked successfully!
I'm now connected to your WhatsApp account. Send me a test message!"
Important: Keep your phone connected to the internet for a few minutes while the initial sync happens.
Step 5: Test It
  1. On your phone, open WhatsApp
  2. Find the chat labeled "OpenClaw Assistant" or your assistant's name
  3. Send a test message:
Your assistant should respond:
๐ŸŽŠ Success! Your WhatsApp connection is active.
From now on:
  • Message your assistant like any other WhatsApp contact
  • Use voice messages (your assistant can transcribe and respond)
  • All conversations sync with your web gateway
Note: Unlike WhatsApp Web, this connection stays active even when your phone is offline (your assistant runs in the cloud).
Method 3: Connect Discord (Best for Teams/Communities)
When to use Discord: If you want your assistant accessible to a team, community, or in group channels. Great for collaborative workflows.
Step 1: Ask Your Assistant for Help
In your OpenClaw gateway chat, type:
Press Enter.
Step 2: Create a Discord Bot
Your assistant will guide you:
"To connect Discord, you need to create a bot in Discord's Developer Portal. Don't worry, I'll walk you through it.
  1. Go to https://discord.com/developers/applications
  2. Click 'New Application'
  3. Give it a name (example: 'My AI Assistant')
  4. Click 'Create'"
Follow these instructions. The Discord Developer Portal looks intimidating, but you only need to click a few buttons.
Step 3: Get Your Bot Token
Your assistant continues:
"Now, in the left sidebar, click 'Bot'. Then:
  1. Click 'Add Bot'
  2. Confirm by clicking 'Yes, do it!'
  3. Under 'Token', click 'Copy' to copy your bot token
Paste the token here."
Do this carefully:
  • The token looks like: MTIzNDU2Nzg5MDEyMzQ1Njc4OQ.ABCDEF.1234567890ABCDEF
  • If you accidentally reveal your token, click "Regenerate" to get a new one (the old one will stop working)
Paste the token into your OpenClaw chat and press Enter.
Step 4: Configure Bot Permissions
Your assistant will provide a link:
"Perfect! Now invite the bot to your Discord server using this link:
https://discord.com/api/oauth2/authorize?client_id=YOUR_BOT_ID&permissions=2048&scope=bot
Click the link, select your server, and authorize the bot."
Click the link. It opens a Discord authorization page.
On the authorization page:
  1. Select which Discord server to add the bot to (you must be an admin)
  2. Check the permissions (should be pre-selected)
  3. Click "Authorize"
  4. Complete the CAPTCHA
Step 5: Pair Your Discord Account
Back in your OpenClaw chat, your assistant says:
"Great! The bot is now in your server. Send this pairing code in any channel where the bot is:
@YourBotName pair galaxy moon
This links your Discord account to me."
Go to your Discord server:
  1. Find a channel where the bot has access (check the member list on the right)
  2. Type: @YourBotName pair galaxy moon (use your actual bot name and pairing code)
  3. Send the message
The bot will respond:






Step 6: Test It
Option A: Direct Message
  1. Right-click on the bot in the server member list
  2. Click "Message"
  3. Send: Hello, are you there?
Option B: Mention in Channel
  1. In any channel where the bot is present
  2. Type: @YourBotName what's the weather today?
Your assistant should respond in Discord.
๐ŸŽฏ Done! Your Discord bot is connected.
From now on:
  • DM your assistant from any device with Discord
  • Mention it in team channels for shared workflows
  • Set up automation in specific channels (e.g., monitoring channel, alerts channel)
Managing Multiple Channels
Good news: You can connect ALL three platforms to the same assistant.
Your conversations are unified across all platforms. If you ask a question on Telegram, then check the web chat, you'll see the same conversation.
How to switch between channels:
Each platform's messages appear in the same OpenClaw conversation thread. Your assistant knows which platform you're using and responds accordingly.
Use cases for multiple channels:
Personal + Team setup:
  • WhatsApp: Personal tasks (calendar, emails, reminders)
  • Discord: Team collaboration (project updates, shared research)
Mobile + Desktop workflow:
  • Telegram: Quick questions from your phone
  • Web chat: Detailed work at your computer
Family sharing:
  • Each family member uses their own Telegram/WhatsApp
  • All connected to the same assistant (if you want to share access)
To add more channels: Just repeat the setup process for each platform. Your assistant handles multiple connections automatically.
Security and Privacy
Important: Once you connect a messaging platform, that platform can send messages to your assistant. Here's how to keep it secure:
Phone Number Allowlist (WhatsApp)
When you set up WhatsApp, you provided your phone number. Only that number can message your assistant.
To add more allowed numbers:
In your OpenClaw chat, say:
Your assistant will confirm:






To remove a number:
Account Pairing (Telegram, Discord)
When you paired your account, you created a secure link between your Telegram/Discord user and your assistant.
Only paired accounts can message your assistant. Random people who find your bot can't use it.
To check paired accounts:
Your assistant responds:






To unpair an account:
Group Chats (Discord, Telegram)
By default, your assistant ignores group chats unless you explicitly allow them.
To enable group chats:
In Discord or Telegram, invite your bot to a group. Then in your OpenClaw chat:
Allow group chat: [Group Name or ID]
Allow group chat: [Group Name or ID]
Allow group chat: [Group Name or ID]
Your assistant will respond in that group when mentioned:
Security tip: Only enable group chats you trust. Your assistant can see all messages in those groups (even ones not directed at it).
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Issue 1: "Bot doesn't respond in Telegram"
Possible causes:
  1. You didn't click "Start" in the bot chat
  2. Pairing code wasn't entered correctly
  3. Bot token was miscopied
Solution:
  1. Open your bot chat in Telegram
  2. Click "Start" (this must be done first)
  3. In OpenClaw chat, ask: "Show me the Telegram pairing code again"
  4. Send the new code to your bot
If still not working:
Your assistant will guide you through re-setup.
Issue 2: "WhatsApp QR code won't scan"
Possible causes:
  1. QR code expired (they expire after 60 seconds)
  2. WhatsApp version is outdated
  3. Phone camera permission denied
Solution:
  1. In OpenClaw chat, say: "Generate a new WhatsApp QR code"
  2. Update WhatsApp on your phone to the latest version
  3. Make sure WhatsApp has camera permission enabled
Pro tip: Have your phone ready BEFORE requesting the QR code. Scan it immediately when it appears.
Issue 3: "Discord bot appears offline"
Possible causes:
  1. Bot token was regenerated (old token no longer works)
  2. Bot wasn't given proper permissions
  3. ClawNest gateway connection dropped
Solution:
Check bot permissions:
  1. Go to your Discord server settings
  2. Click "Roles"
  3. Find your bot's role
  4. Enable: "Read Messages", "Send Messages", "Read Message History"
Reconnect the bot: In OpenClaw chat:
Follow the setup process again with a fresh token.
Issue 4: "Messages send but no response"
Possible causes:
  1. AI credits exhausted (ClawNest plan limit reached)
  2. Your assistant is processing a long task
  3. Messaging platform API is down
Solution:
Check your ClawNest usage:
  1. Go to app.clawnest.co
  2. Click your assistant
  3. Check the "Usage" tab
  4. If you're at 100% of AI credits, upgrade your plan or wait for monthly reset
Check assistant status: In web chat, send: Status check
Your assistant should respond with its current status. If it doesn't, there may be a temporary service issue.
If persistent: Contact ClawNest support at support@clawnest.co
Issue 5: "Can't find my bot in Telegram search"
Possible causes:
  1. Bot username was typed incorrectly
  2. Bot hasn't been indexed by Telegram yet (takes a few minutes)
Solution:
Get the exact link: In OpenClaw chat, ask:
Your assistant responds:






Click the link instead of searching.
Alternative: Look in your Telegram chat history. BotFather sends you a message with the direct link when you create the bot.
Advanced Tips
Voice Messages (WhatsApp, Telegram)
Your assistant can understand voice messages!
How to use:
  1. Open your bot chat on your phone
  2. Hold the microphone icon
  3. Record your message (e.g., "Summarize my emails from today")
  4. Send
Your assistant will:
  1. Transcribe your voice to text
  2. Process the request
  3. Respond with text (or voice, if you prefer)
Pro tip: Voice messages are great for:
  • Quick questions while driving (hands-free)
  • Dictating long notes or reminders
  • When typing on your phone is inconvenient
Setting Response Preferences
You can customize how your assistant responds on each platform.
Example preferences:






Your assistant will adapt its communication style per platform.
Platform-Specific Commands
Some commands work better on certain platforms:
Telegram strengths:
  • /start, /help, /status commands work instantly
  • Inline buttons for interactive menus
  • File attachments (send PDFs, images for processing)
WhatsApp strengths:
  • Voice messages
  • Status updates (stories)
  • Contact sharing
Discord strengths:
  • Slash commands for teams
  • Thread support for long conversations
  • Role-based permissions (admin-only commands)
To see platform-specific features:
What special features do you have on [Telegram/WhatsApp/Discord]
What special features do you have on [Telegram/WhatsApp/Discord]
What special features do you have on [Telegram/WhatsApp/Discord]
What You Can Do Now
Now that your assistant is on your favorite messaging app, here are some powerful workflows:
1. Morning Briefing on WhatsApp
Set up an automated morning message:






Wake up to a personalized briefing every day.
2. Price Alerts on Telegram
Track prices and get notified:
Monitor the price of [product/stock/crypto]


Monitor the price of [product/stock/crypto]


Monitor the price of [product/stock/crypto]


Your assistant watches 24/7 and pings you when opportunities arise.
3. Team Standup Bot on Discord
Automate team check-ins:






Your assistant becomes your team's coordination hub.
4. Voice-Controlled Research
Use voice on WhatsApp/Telegram:
[Voice message]


[Voice message]


[Voice message]


Your assistant researches and sends a detailed report while you're commuting.
Next Steps
You now have your AI assistant in your pocket! ๐ŸŽ‰
Here's what to explore next:
1. Install Skills (add superpowers to your assistant)
2. Customize Your Experience
  • Set up response preferences for each platform
  • Create custom commands and shortcuts
  • Build multi-step automations
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect the same platform (e.g., Telegram) to multiple assistants?
Yes, but each assistant needs its own bot. You'd create separate bots with BotFather and connect each to a different ClawNest assistant.
What happens to my messages when I switch platforms?
All your conversations are unified. Messages from Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, and the web chat all appear in the same conversation thread. Your assistant has full context regardless of where you message from.
Can other people message my bot?
Telegram/Discord: Only if you explicitly pair their accounts (using pairing codes).
WhatsApp: Only phone numbers on your allowlist can message your assistant.
By default, your assistant ignores messages from unpaired/unauthorized users.
Do I need to keep my phone online for WhatsApp to work?
No. Unlike WhatsApp Web, your OpenClaw assistant runs in the cloud on ClawNest servers. Once paired, it works even when your phone is offline.
Your phone only needs to be online during the initial QR code pairing.
Can I use the same WhatsApp number for multiple assistants?
No. A WhatsApp account can only be linked to one OpenClaw instance at a time (same limitation as WhatsApp Web).
If you want multiple assistants, use different messaging platforms for each (e.g., Telegram for Assistant A, WhatsApp for Assistant B).
How do I disconnect a platform?
In your OpenClaw chat:
or
Your assistant will confirm disconnection. You can reconnect anytime by repeating the setup process.
Are my messages encrypted?
Telegram: Messages between you and the bot use Telegram's encryption (server-client encryption, not end-to-end).
WhatsApp: Uses WhatsApp's standard encryption (end-to-end between your phone and the linked device).
Discord: Uses Discord's standard encryption (HTTPS in transit).
All platforms: Messages are processed by your OpenClaw instance running on ClawNest's secure servers. ClawNest cannot read your messages.
Can I share my bot with family members?
Yes, carefully:
Telegram/Discord: Give them the pairing code to link their accounts. Each person gets their own paired account.
WhatsApp: Add their phone numbers to your allowlist.
Security consideration: Everyone who can message your bot can access the same assistant and potentially see conversation history. Only share with people you trust.
Better approach for families: Create separate assistants for each person (ClawNest offers multi-assistant plans).
What if my bot gets rate-limited by Telegram/Discord?
This happens if you send too many messages too quickly (platform anti-spam protection).
Solution: Your assistant automatically handles rate limits by queueing messages. You don't need to do anything. Messages will be delivered with a slight delay.
Typical limits:
  • Telegram: 30 messages/second to groups, unlimited to private chats
  • Discord: 5 messages/5 seconds per channel
  • WhatsApp: No strict limits for linked devices
Need Help?
ClawNest Support:
  • Email: support@clawnest.co
  • Response time: <24 hours (Basic), <4 hours (Pro/Max)
Community:
Found this guide helpful? Share it with someone struggling to connect their messaging apps to OpenClaw.
Last updated: February 2026 | Written by Emeric, Product & Co-Founder @ClawNest
How to Set Up Your OpenClaw Assistant on ClawNest (Complete Beginner's Guide) โ€บ