Set up OpenClaw with WhatsApp

Pairing via WhatsApp Web

OpenClaw uses the WhatsApp Web protocol. Command:

openclaw channel add whatsapp

Scan the QR code in the terminal — same flow as WhatsApp Web in a browser. Token stored in macOS Keychain (or Linux keystore).

Enable requireMention globally

Default behaviour is risky: OpenClaw potentially answers every message. Change in ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json:

{
  "channels": {
    "whatsapp": {
      "requireMention": true,
      "mentionTriggers": ["@molty", "molty,"]
    }
  }
}

Now the bot only fires when someone writes "@molty" or "molty,".

Configure allowlist

Whitelist of numbers and groups where the bot is active at all:

{
  "channels": {
    "whatsapp": {
      "allowlist": {
        "groups": ["120363xxx@g.us", "120363yyy@g.us"],
        "users": ["+4915112345678", "+4917698765432"]
      }
    }
  }
}

Outside the allowlist the bot is fully ignored.

Privacy defaults

WhatsApp has per-user privacy settings (read receipts, last seen, profile photo). Set them deliberately — the bot lives on your WhatsApp account, so its defaults apply. Recommendation: read receipts off for the bot account, use a dedicated bot phone number.

Process voice memos

With voice setup active, OpenClaw automatically transcribes voice messages. Configuration:

openclaw skill enable voice-to-task

Sending a voice memo to the bot triggers STT (Whisper), the skill, and you get text back or a created task in CRM.