Claude Code's OpenClaw is LIVE! (official Telegram integration dropped)

🔥

You can now officially message & work with Claude Code from your phone! Anthropic just dropped something big...

I set it up live today, and here's the exact guide (including the gotchas the official docs missed).

1st: What is Claude Code Channels?

Anthropic's native answer to OpenClaw. A channel is basically an MCP server that pushes events into your running Claude Code session. You send a message from Telegram, CC reads it, works on it, and replies back. Currently supports Telegram and Discord.

Important to know before you set it up:

Currently in research preview (so, a public beta, it might break or change, and gradual access is being enabled) -> what works today might need adjustment next week
Requires Claude Code v2.1.80+ and a claude.ai login (API keys don't work)

Wait: does this mean I can be at a restaurant while CC works back home?

Yes!! as long as your laptop is on and Claude Code is running. Imagine having a worker at your desk at home: you can call them from anywhere, as long as they're at their desk.

If your laptop is sleeping or CC isn't running, Telegram can't reach it.

IMPORTANT: This is not a standalone cloud agent, it's a live bridge to a running session.

So if you leave CC open at home before you head out...you've got a coding agent in your pocket.

The full setup guide (including what Anthropic forgot to mention)

Step 1: Install Bun first (The official docs barely mention this!)

Bun is the JavaScript runtime that powers the Telegram plugin. Without it, CC launches normally but the channel silently never connects.

This is the command:

curl -fsSL https://bun.sh/install | bash

Step 2: Add the marketplace & install the plugin

IMPORTANT: Type these yourself in TERMINAL. Do NOT ask Claude Code to run them (it can't)

plugin commands are CLI-level, one layer below the AI.

Install this two, one after the other

/plugin marketplace add anthropics/claude-plugins-official

/plugin install telegram@claude-plugins-official

Step 3: Create a bot via @BotFather in Telegram

Send /newbot -> follow instructions -> copy your token.

Step 4: Configure your token on the SAME Terminal window you were before.

/telegram:configure YOUR_TOKEN

Step 5: Relaunch & pair your account.

Go out of Terminal and launch it again.

Run this code to connect the Telegram with CC:

claude --channels plugin:telegram@claude-plugins-official

Then, DM your bot in Telegram:

it sends a 6-character pairing code -> paste it into CC.

Step 6: IMPORTANT, Lock it to your account only

/telegram:access policy allowlist

Step 7: IMPORTANT: Fix the silent permission hang

By default CC needs approval on nearly every Telegram message at the beginning: but the prompt only shows in your terminal, not in Telegram.

So, from your phone it just looks like CC is ignoring you.

Use this:

claude --channels plugin:telegram@claude-plugins-official --dangerously-skip-permissions

Note: this skips ALL permission prompts, not just Telegram ones. Fine for personal use, BUT just know what you're enabling.

Now you're all set!

HOW TO USE IT DAILY:

Once setup is done (one time only), this is all you need every time:

This is your launch command:

claude --channels plugin:telegram@claude-plugins-official

-> remember to bypass permissions!

claude --channels plugin:telegram@claude-plugins-official --dangerously-skip-permissions

REMEMBER TO LAUNCH IT INSIDE YOUR PROJECT FOLDER

⚠️ Make sure you run this from inside your project folder: CC needs to know what project it's working on.

That's it. One command, Telegram is live.

Everything you type on Telegram, will now launch in CC and will perform according with your instructions. So, just message your bot from your phone like you'd message Claude normally. CC reads it, works on it, replies back in Telegram.

One thing to keep in mind:

Your laptop needs to be on and CC needs to be running. This isn't a cloud agent! Remember it's a live bridge to your local session. Leave it running before you head out and you've got a coding agent in your pocket.

If you don't believe me, just go to the official docs:

https://code.claude.com/docs/en/channels

I made this guide because the official docs don't explain that much things like bun and the bypass permissions thing. This exact steps I mention here are the ones I did myself.

Hope this helps everyone here!

Best!

Mike

2 comments