---
app: agent
audience:
  - owner
since: 0.1.0
ui_only: false
agent_actions:
  - tool: app_channel_status
    permission: auto
    example: which agents have WhatsApp linked?
agent_examples:
  - how do customers reach my agents?
  - can two agents share one number?
llm_weight: promote
title: Channels overview
description: WhatsApp, Telegram and email — one account per platform per agent,
  and where each is set up.
editUrl: true
head: []
template: doc
sidebar:
  order: 1
  hidden: false
  attrs: {}
pagefind: true
draft: false
---

import { Aside } from "@astrojs/starlight/components";
import { AgentAsk, Shot } from "@components";

**Who this is for:** an owner deciding which numbers and mailboxes to give to which agents.

## The rule

**One account per platform per agent.** An agent can hold one WhatsApp number, one Telegram bot and one mailbox at the same time — but two agents cannot share a number. A second WhatsApp number means a second agent. To let a whole room answer one number, see [One number per room](/agent/channels/one-number-per-room/).

## Channels

| Channel | How it links | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| **WhatsApp — Unofficial (QR)** | scan a QR code like WhatsApp Web | quick start; a dedicated number you can afford to lose |
| **WhatsApp — Official (Cloud API)** | Meta Business tokens + the Bakulai relay | a verified business number, no ban risk |
| **Telegram** | a bot token from @BotFather | staff and owner channels, public support bots |
| **Email** | an IMAP/SMTP mailbox dedicated to the agent | prospects, supplier invoices, reports |
| **Other** (LINE, SMS/Twilio, Microsoft Teams, WeCom) | webhooks through the Bakulai relay | special cases |

All of them live in **Settings → Accounts**, one list per channel, one row per agent. <Shot src="agent/channels/accounts.png" alt="Settings, Accounts lists" />

## Who can chat

Every channel row has a **Who can chat** choice: **Public — anyone** (customer service) or **Private — listed ids only** (your own number, your staff). Strangers writing to a private channel are ignored silently. See [Who can chat](/agent/channels/who-can-chat/).

<Aside type="caution">
  A WhatsApp number linked by QR uses an unofficial route. Meta can block it. Use a number you would not mind losing, and never your personal one.
</Aside>

## Ask your agent

<AgentAsk />

## Limits & safety

- Tokens, QR codes and passwords are entered on the desktop only; agents and tablets never see them.
- Disabling or unlinking a channel restarts the agent so it stops answering at once.

## Related

[Link WhatsApp with a QR code](/agent/channels/whatsapp-qr/) · [Who can chat](/agent/channels/who-can-chat/) · [One number per room](/agent/channels/one-number-per-room/)