Employee Channels
Channels are how your AI employee communicates with users. MakerClaw supports multiple chat platforms through a unified gateway system, allowing your employee to be available wherever your users are.
Overview of available communication channels
How Channels Work
All webhook-based channels share a single gateway, eliminating per-channel port configuration complexity. Your employee can connect to multiple platforms simultaneously while maintaining conversation context.
Key Concepts
| Concept | Description |
|---|---|
| Gateway | Unified HTTP server handling all webhook traffic |
| Bot Token | Authentication credential for each platform |
| Allow List | Approved user IDs who can interact with your employee |
| Commands | Auto-registered at startup; menus sync automatically |
Supported Platforms
Recommended for Beginners
| Platform | Setup Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Telegram | ~5 min | Easiest setup, recommended starting point |
Standard Platforms
Advanced Platforms
Quick Start: Telegram
Telegram is the easiest way to get started. Here's the quickest path to a working employee:
- Create a bot — Message @BotFather and send
/newbot - Copy your token — Save the token BotFather gives you
- Get your user ID — Message @userinfobot and copy your ID
- Configure in MakersFuel — Add token and user ID to your employee's Telegram channel
- Start chatting — Find your bot on Telegram and send a message!
For detailed instructions, see Telegram Setup Guide.
Multi-Channel Setup
Your employee can use multiple channels simultaneously.
Employee with multiple channels enabled
Benefits
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Reach | Meet users on their preferred platform |
| Flexibility | Different channels for different use cases |
| Redundancy | Backup if one channel has issues |
Important Notes
- Each channel requires a unique bot token — you cannot share tokens between employees
- Your employee maintains context across all channels
- Skills and tools apply to all connected channels
- Disable unused channels to reduce resource usage
Channel Status
Monitor your channel connections in the employee dashboard.
Channel connection status indicators
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 🟢 Connected | Channel is active and responding |
| 🟡 Connecting | Channel is being set up |
| 🔴 Error | Connection failed — check configuration |
| ⚪ Disabled | Channel is turned off |
Comparison
| Feature | Telegram | Discord | Slack | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Setup Difficulty | Easy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Real-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Periodic |
| File Sharing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Group Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Commands | Yes | Slash | Slash | No | No |
| Rich Formatting | Markdown | Markdown | Markdown | Limited | HTML |
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| "Bot token already in use" | Each employee needs unique tokens |
| "Bot not responding" | Verify token, check employee is Running |
| "Connection error" | Check platform-specific requirements |
| "Messages not delivered" | Verify bot permissions and channel access |
Getting Help
- Check the platform-specific setup guide
- Verify all required credentials are correct
- Restart your employee after configuration changes
- Contact support if issues persist
Setup Guides
- Telegram Setup — Recommended starting point
- Discord Setup — For communities and servers
- Slack Setup — For business teams
- WhatsApp Setup — For mobile messaging
- Email Setup — For formal communication
- Other Platforms — Matrix, LINE, DingTalk, WeCom, Feishu, QQ
Next Steps
- Tools, MCP Servers & Skills — Extend your employee's capabilities
- Managing Employees — Day-to-day management
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