Connect WhatsApp

Table of contents

1. Prerequisites
2. Login Command
3. Scan QR Code
4. Configure Allowlist
5. Send First Message
6. Next Steps
7. FAQ

Prerequisites

• OpenClaw installed and daemon running
• WhatsApp installed on your phone
• Internet connection

Login Command

Start WhatsApp linking:

openclaw channels login whatsapp

This will display a QR code in your terminal.

Scan QR Code

1. Open WhatsApp on your phone
2. Go to Settings > Linked Devices
3. Tap “Link a device”
4. Scan the QR code shown in your terminal

Configure Allowlist

By default, only unknown senders must pair. To allow specific contacts, edit ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json:

{
  "channels": {
    "whatsapp": {
      "allowFrom": ["+15555550123", "family@example.com"]
    }
  }
}

Use "*" to allow anyone (not recommended).

Send First Message

Send a test message to your bot in WhatsApp to verify the connection.

Next Steps

• Getting Started Overview
• DM Pairing Explained
• Allowlists and Sender Policies
• Daily Brief Workflow
• WhatsApp Troubleshooting

FAQ

Q: Do I need to scan QR each time?
A: No. Only on first link. Re-linking will invalidate old sessions.

Q: Can I use WhatsApp Business?
A: Yes, but ensure the number matches your allowlist.

Q: What about groups?
A: Configure channels.whatsapp.groups to limit which groups the bot joins.

Q: How do I disconnect?
A: Run openclaw channels logout whatsapp.

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