WhatsApp Setup

Overview

WhatsApp is the most popular channel for OpenClaw. It uses the Baileys library and requires QR code pairing — similar to WhatsApp Web.

Step 1: Enable WhatsApp

Run the onboarding wizard and select WhatsApp:

openclaw onboard

Or add it manually to ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json:

{
  "channels": {
    "whatsapp": {
      "allowFrom": ["+15555550123"],
      "groups": {
        "*": { "requireMention": true }
      }
    }
  }
}

Step 2: Scan QR Code

Restart the Gateway and a QR code will appear in the terminal:

openclaw gateway restart

Open WhatsApp on your phone → Settings → Linked Devices → Link a Device → Scan the QR code.

Step 3: Test

Send a message to yourself or have someone message you. The agent will respond automatically.

What's Next?