Channel Integrations

CoWork OS supports 17 messaging channels. All channels share these common features:

• Security modes (pairing, allowlist, open)
• Brute-force protection
• Session management
• Rate limiting
• Inbound attachment persistence (files saved to .cowork/inbox/attachments/)
• Shared message lifecycle for commands, active tasks, follow-ups, progress delivery, cancellations, and scheduled outputs
• Ambient mode: Passively ingest all messages without responding; enable per-channel in settings
• Self-message capture: Capture your own outgoing messages as context (captureSelfMessages on WhatsApp, iMessage, BlueBubbles)
• Per-channel routing policy: Channels can restrict who can talk to the agent, which workspaces/roles they route into, how group/server traffic is filtered, and how much mid-task progress is relayed back into the channel

See Gateway Message Lifecycle for the shared routing, command, active-task, skill-slash, delivery, and scheduled-output behavior. For day-to-day usage examples, see Using CoWork from WhatsApp and Other Channels. For per-channel feature and best-practice guides, see Channel User Guides and the dedicated channel guide index.

Common Remote Commands

These commands are available across all channels:

Recognized slash commands are handled by the gateway and are never forwarded as normal task text. Unknown slash commands return an explicit unknown-command reply.

Slash-Skill Notes

• /simplify, /batch, and /llm-wiki are bundled global skills (enabled by default), available in desktop and gateway channels.
• Enabled skills can also be invoked from gateway channels as /<skill-slug> args; use /skills to see available skill slugs and /skill <id> to toggle a skill.
• Inline chaining is supported in normal messages: ... then run /simplify, ... then run /batch ..., and ... then run /llm-wiki ....
• WhatsApp natural phrase mapping supports all three commands, including research-vault phrasing for llm-wiki.
• /batch external policy defaults to confirm; none blocks known external side-effect actions for the run.
• /llm-wiki supports --mode, --path, and --obsidian flags, and allows objective-free maintenance runs for init, lint, and refresh.

See Universal /simplify and /batch and LLM Wiki for full syntax and behavior.

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WhatsApp

QR code pairing via Baileys library for Web WhatsApp connections.

WhatsApp uses the shared gateway lifecycle after connection. /new and /newtask unlink the chat from the current task; /new temp starts a scratch temporary workspace session; /stop and /cancel cancel the active task. Temporary workspaces are hidden from /workspaces and from the /new temp acknowledgement.

WhatsApp supports typing indicators and editable task-progress messages. CoWork edits the current progress message when possible and falls back to a new message if the provider rejects the edit.

Setup

1. Open Settings > WhatsApp tab
2. Click Add WhatsApp Channel
3. Scan the QR code with your phone (WhatsApp > Settings > Linked Devices)
4. Once connected, the channel status shows "Connected"

Self-Chat Mode

Research Channels

Designate specific groups as link-research channels. Post URLs there and the agent builds a findings report with classification. See Research Channels.

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Telegram

Bot commands, streaming responses, workspace selection via grammY.

Telegram uses the shared gateway lifecycle. The bot's / menu is populated with the core remote commands such as /new, /stop, /commands, /queue, /steer, /background, /skills, /schedule, and /brief.

Setup

1. Create a bot with @BotFather and copy the token
2. Open Settings > Channels tab
3. Enter your bot token and click Add Telegram Channel
4. Test and enable the channel

Group Routing Controls

Telegram group behavior can now be tightened without writing custom bot logic:

• Routing mode: choose all, mentionsOnly, mentionsOrCommands, or commandsOnly
• Allowed group chat IDs: optionally restrict routing to a known set of Telegram groups
• Research channels: keep using dedicated research groups separately from normal task-routing groups

Additional Commands

Research Channels

Designate specific groups as link-research channels. Post URLs there and the agent builds a findings report with classification. See Research Channels.

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Discord

Slash commands, DM support, guild integration, embeds, polls, select menus, and live message/attachment API.

Discord uses the shared gateway lifecycle through native slash commands and text messages delivered to the bot. /task <prompt> remains a native compatibility shortcut for starting a task; use /status for current state and /commands for the command catalog.

Setup

1. Create application at Discord Developer Portal
2. Add bot and copy token
3. Enable Message Content Intent in Privileged Gateway Intents
4. Invite bot with bot and applications.commands scopes
5. Configure in Settings > Channels

Guild Filtering

If you only want the bot active in certain Discord servers, add allowed Guild IDs in the channel settings. Incoming messages and interactions from other guilds are ignored even if the bot is installed there.

Additional Commands

Agent Tools (Live Discord API)

The agent can fetch messages and download attachments directly from Discord, not just from the local gateway log:

Typical flow: Use channel_list_chats with channel: "discord" to discover chat IDs, then channel_fetch_discord_messages for live history, and channel_download_discord_attachment for any message with attachments.

Supervisor Mode

Discord can run a strict worker/supervisor protocol with a dedicated coordination channel, watched output channels, and human escalation mirrored into Mission Control.

See Supervisor Mode on Discord.

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Slack

Socket Mode integration with channel mentions, file uploads, and optional curated progress relays.

Slack uses the shared gateway lifecycle for DMs, mentions, and registered Slack slash commands. Slack only sends slash command payloads for commands registered in the Slack app, so add the core commands listed in Using CoWork from WhatsApp and Other Channels when configuring the app.

Setup

1. Create app at Slack API Apps
2. Enable Socket Mode and create App-Level Token (xapp-...)
3. Add bot scopes: app_mentions:read, chat:write, im:history, im:read, im:write, users:read, files:write
4. Subscribe to events: app_mention, message.im
5. Install to workspace and copy Bot Token (xoxb-...)
6. Configure in Settings > Channels > Slack

Multiple Workspaces

CoWork can now keep more than one Slack installation active in the same profile:

• add each Slack workspace as its own Slack channel entry
• select the workspace inside Slack settings to test, toggle, revoke, or remove it
• reply routing stays pinned to the originating Slack workspace so follow-ups go back to the correct installation

Progress Relay Modes

Slack exposes a per-workspace Progress Updates setting:

• Minimal - suppress most executor chatter and only relay compact status updates
• Curated middle steps - convert selected planning and execution events into short human-readable updates while the task is running

Curated mode keeps streaming assistant output separate from the transient relay. When Slack supports message editing, CoWork reuses a single progress message for non-streaming status updates and clears it when the task pauses for approval/input or reaches a terminal state.

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Feishu / Lark

Webhook-based enterprise messaging integration for Feishu and Lark.

Setup

1. Create a Feishu/Lark app and enable bot + event subscriptions
2. Copy the App ID, App Secret, verification token, and encryption key
3. Configure the channel in Settings > Channels > Feishu / Lark
4. Set the callback URL shown by CoWork in the Feishu/Lark developer console
5. Enable and test

Notes

• Supports secure webhook verification and encrypted event handling
• Best fit for a dedicated tenant/app pairing rather than many installs in one profile

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WeCom

Enterprise WeCom gateway integration with signed/encrypted event handling.

Setup

1. Create a WeCom app in your WeCom admin console
2. Copy the Corp ID, Agent ID, Secret, token, and EncodingAESKey
3. Configure the channel in Settings > Channels > WeCom
4. Set the callback URL shown by CoWork in WeCom
5. Enable and test

Notes

• Supports encrypted webhook/event payloads
• Good fit for internal enterprise operations and alert/task routing

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Microsoft Teams

Bot Framework SDK with DM/channel mentions and adaptive cards.

Prerequisites

• Azure account with Bot Services access
• Microsoft Teams workspace where you can add apps
• Public webhook URL (use ngrok for local development)

Setup

1. Create an Azure Bot at Azure Portal — choose Multi-tenant or Single-tenant
2. Get Bot Credentials — copy the Microsoft App ID, then create and copy a client secret under Certificates & secrets
3. Add Teams Channel — in the Bot resource, go to Channels and enable Microsoft Teams
4. Set Up Webhook (for local dev): ngrok http 3978 — set messaging endpoint to https://your-ngrok-url/api/messages
5. Configure in CoWork OS — Settings > Teams tab, enter App ID, App Password, optional Tenant ID, webhook port (default: 3978)

Message Features

• Direct Messages and channel @mentions
• Adaptive Cards formatting
• File attachments
• Auto-reconnect with exponential backoff

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Google Chat

Service account auth, spaces/DMs, threaded conversations.

Prerequisites

• Google Cloud project with Chat API enabled
• Service account with Chat Bots Viewer and Chat Bots Admin roles
• Public webhook URL (use ngrok for local development)

Setup

1. Enable Google Chat API
2. Create a service account and download the JSON key
3. Configure the Chat app at the Chat API Configuration page — set HTTP endpoint URL
4. Set up webhook: ngrok http 3979
5. Configure in Settings > Google Chat — enter service account key path, optional Project ID, webhook port (default: 3979)

Note: Google Chat bots only work within Google Workspace organizations.

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X (Twitter)

Mention-based task ingress via Bird CLI with allowlist + command-prefix enforcement.

Setup

1. Open Settings > X
2. Enable X integration and test connection
3. Enable Mention Trigger
4. Set:
   • command prefix (default do:)
   • allowlisted authors (required)
   • poll interval and fetch count
5. Save settings

Behavior

• Mentions are parsed oldest-to-newest.
• Only allowlisted authors with matching prefix and non-empty command are accepted.
• Tasks are idempotent by tweet id (sessionKey = xmention:<tweetId>).
• Temporary workspace routing is default.
• No automatic outbound posting unless explicitly enabled on the native x channel.

See X Mention Triggers for desktop/headless details and troubleshooting.

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iMessage (macOS Only)

Native macOS integration via imsg CLI tool.

Prerequisites

• macOS with Messages app signed in
• imsg CLI: brew install steipete/tap/imsg
• Full Disk Access granted to Terminal

How It Works

Messages from your own Apple ID are filtered. Use a dedicated Apple ID for the bot Mac, then message the bot from your personal devices.

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Signal

End-to-end encrypted messaging via signal-cli.

Prerequisites

• signal-cli: brew install signal-cli
• Dedicated phone number (Signal allows only one registration per number)
• Java Runtime: Java 17+

Registration

Setup

1. Register: signal-cli -a +1234567890 register then verify CODE
2. Configure in Settings > Signal tab — enter phone number, data directory, click Add Signal Channel

Trust Modes

Operating Modes

Important: Registering signal-cli will deregister any existing Signal app using that phone number.

Sender Policies

Signal settings can now distinguish DM and group behavior:

• dmPolicy: open, allowlist, pairing, or disabled
• groupPolicy: open, allowlist, or disabled
• allowedNumbers: explicit allowlist applied consistently for both direct and group senders

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Mattermost

REST API and WebSocket for real-time messaging.

Setup

1. Generate a Personal Access Token in Account Settings > Security > Personal Access Tokens
2. Configure in Settings > Mattermost — enter server URL, token, optional Team ID

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Matrix

Federated messaging with room-based conversations.

Setup

1. Get your Access Token from your Matrix client (Element: Settings > Help & About > Advanced)
2. Configure in Settings > Matrix — enter homeserver URL, User ID, Access Token, optional Room IDs

Notes: Matrix is federated (cross-homeserver). E2EE support depends on room settings.

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Twitch

IRC chat integration over WebSocket.

Setup

1. Get OAuth token from twitchtokengenerator.com (select Chat Bot type)
2. Configure in Settings > Twitch — enter username, OAuth token, channel names

Limitations

• Text-only (no file attachments)
• 20 messages per 30 seconds rate limit
• 500 characters max per message (auto-split for longer responses)
• Whispers may require verified account status

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LINE

Messaging API with webhooks and push/reply messages.

Setup

1. Create a Messaging API channel at LINE Developers Console
2. Copy Channel Access Token and Channel Secret
3. Configure in Settings > LINE — enter tokens, webhook port (default: 3100)
4. In LINE Console, set webhook URL, enable webhooks, disable auto-reply

Message Types

• Reply Messages: Free, use reply tokens (valid ~1 minute)
• Push Messages: Uses monthly quota, for proactive messaging

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BlueBubbles

iMessage via BlueBubbles server running on a Mac.

Prerequisites

• Mac computer running 24/7 with Messages app signed in
• BlueBubbles server installed (bluebubbles.app)

Setup

1. Install BlueBubbles Server on Mac and note the server URL and password
2. Configure in Settings > BlueBubbles — enter server URL, password, optional contact allowlist

Features

• iMessage and SMS support
• Group chats
• Webhooks or fallback polling

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Email

IMAP/SMTP integration — works with any email provider.

Setup

1. Configure in Settings > Email.
2. Choose the matching provider preset when available.
3. Use password/app-password auth for Gmail, Yahoo, Microsoft 365, and most generic IMAP/SMTP providers.
4. Use Microsoft OAuth for Outlook.com / Hotmail / Live / MSN personal accounts.

Outlook.com OAuth Setup

For personal Microsoft mailboxes, the Client ID field is not enough by itself. CoWork expects you to bring your own Microsoft Entra app registration.

1. In Azure / Microsoft Entra, create a new app registration.
2. Under Supported account types, choose a setting that includes personal Microsoft accounts.
3. Under Authentication, add the Mobile and desktop applications platform and add the redirect URI http://localhost.
4. If Azure shows Allow public client flows, enable it for a native/public client registration that uses PKCE.
5. Under API permissions, grant delegated IMAP.AccessAsUser.All and SMTP.Send.
6. In CoWork, choose the Outlook.com preset, paste the Application (client) ID, leave Client Secret empty unless you intentionally created a confidential client, and keep Tenant as consumers for Outlook.com-family accounts.
7. Click Connect Microsoft Account and finish the browser sign-in flow.

Provider Settings

Filtering Options

• Allowed Senders: Comma-separated exact email addresses or domains (for example alice@example.com or example.com)
• Subject Filter: Only process emails containing specific text (e.g., [CoWork])

Features

• Reply threading via In-Reply-To headers
• Subject filtering and exact sender/domain allowlist matching
• Universal: works with any IMAP/SMTP provider
• LOOM protocol: Dual-protocol email system (LOOM for agents, IMAP/SMTP for legacy)

Notes: Gmail with 2FA usually requires an app password. Outlook.com personal accounts use Microsoft OAuth app registration, not password auth. Uses IMAP polling (default 30 seconds).

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Menu Bar App (macOS)

Native menu bar companion for quick access. Press ⌘⇧Space from anywhere to open a floating input window.

Configure in Settings > Menu Bar.

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Mobile Companions (iOS/Android)

Access CoWork OS from mobile devices via local network.

Setup

1. Enable Control Plane in Settings > Control Plane
2. Check Allow LAN Connections (Mobile Companions)
3. Enter server URL on mobile: ws://<your-mac-ip>:18789
4. Enter authentication token

Security

• LAN only (not exposed to internet)
• Token-based authentication
• Ensure firewall allows port 18789
• Both devices must be on the same network

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Comparison with Alternative Implementations

See Channel Comparison for how CoWork OS channel integrations compare to alternative plugin-based implementations.