Your First Conversation
Time to bring your AI agent into the real world. We'll connect it to Telegram or Discord so you can chat naturally from anywhere.
1Choosing Your Platform
OpenClaw can connect to multiple chat platforms. Let's start with the most popular ones: Telegram and Discord. You can set up both if you want — they'll all connect to the same agent.
Telegram
Discord
Recommendation
Start with Telegram if you want something simple and mobile-friendly. It's the easiest to set up and most people find it intuitive for 1-on-1 AI conversations.
2Setting Up Telegram
We'll create a Telegram bot for your OpenClaw agent. Don't worry — this is easier than it sounds.
Step 1: Create Your Bot
- 1Open Telegram and search for
@BotFather - 2Start a chat with BotFather and send
/newbot - 3Choose a name: Something like "Alex's AI" or "My OpenClaw Agent"
- 4Choose a username: Must end in "bot" (e.g., "alexai_bot" or "myagent_bot")
- 5Save the token: BotFather will give you a token that looks like
123456789:ABCdefGhIJKlmNoPQRsTuVwXyZ
Step 2: Connect to OpenClaw
Now we tell OpenClaw about your new Telegram bot:
openclaw channel add telegram --token YOUR_BOT_TOKENReplace YOUR_BOT_TOKEN with the token from BotFather
Then start the connection:
openclaw startTest It Out!
Go back to Telegram, find your bot (search for the username you chose), and send it a message like "Hello!" Your OpenClaw agent should respond!
3Setting Up Discord (Alternative)
If you prefer Discord, here's how to set that up instead. This is slightly more complex but gives you more features.
Step 1: Create Discord Application
- 1
- 2Click "New Application" and give it a name
- 3Go to "Bot" in the sidebar and click "Add Bot"
- 4Copy the "Token" (click "Reset Token" if needed)
- 5Enable "Message Content Intent" in the bot settings
Step 2: Connect to OpenClaw
openclaw channel add discord --token YOUR_DISCORD_TOKENThen start OpenClaw:
openclaw startStep 3: Invite to Server/DM
To chat with your bot, you need to either:
- • Invite to a server: Go to OAuth2 → URL Generator, select "bot" scope and necessary permissions
- • DM directly: Add the bot as a friend first (may require mutual server)
4Your First Real Conversation
Now comes the fun part! Let's have a proper conversation with your AI agent and see what it can do.
Conversation Starters
What to Expect ✓
- • Responses that match the personality you configured
- • Memory of things you tell it in the conversation
- • Natural, contextual responses
- • Ability to ask follow-up questions
- • References to previous parts of the conversation
Not Yet Available ✗
- • External actions (email, calendar, web search)
- • File uploads or image recognition
- • Voice message responses
- • Integration with other services
- • Proactive check-ins or reminders
Pro Tip: Test Memory
OpenClaw's memory is one of its key features. Tell your agent a few personal details, then ask about them later or in future conversations. This is what makes it different from regular chatbots.
5Basic Commands & Features
Your OpenClaw agent understands natural language, but there are a few special commands that are useful to know.
/statusCheck agent statusShows if your agent is healthy, what model it's using, and basic system info.
/memoryView memory summaryShows what your agent remembers about you and your conversations.
/helpShow available commandsLists all commands your agent knows. This grows as you install more skills.
/forget [topic]Remove specific memoriesIf you want your agent to forget something specific. Use carefully!
Natural Language First
You don't need to use commands for normal conversations. Just talk naturally — "Can you remember that I prefer tea over coffee?" works just as well as a formal command.
6Using Multiple Devices
One of the best things about OpenClaw is that you can chat with your agent from any device. Your phone, computer, tablet — the conversation continues seamlessly.
📱 On Mobile
- • Install Telegram or Discord app
- • Chat with your agent while walking, commuting
- • Voice messages work great (text responses)
- • Perfect for quick questions and check-ins
💻 On Desktop
- • Telegram/Discord desktop apps or web
- • Better for longer conversations
- • Easy to copy/paste code or long text
- • Manage your agent's configuration
Seamless Context
Start a conversation on your phone during lunch, continue it on your laptop when you get home. Your agent remembers the full context and can reference what you discussed earlier.
7What's Next
Congratulations! You now have a functioning personal AI agent that you can chat with from anywhere. But we're just getting started.
Coming Up in Module 4
We'll explore OpenClaw's skill system — how to add weather, email management, calendar integration, web search, and dozens of other capabilities. This is where your agent transforms from a chatbot into a true digital assistant.
🏋️ Before Moving On: Practice!
Spend some time chatting with your agent. Try:
- • Telling it about your interests and preferences
- • Asking it to remember specific things about you
- • Having a natural conversation about your day
- • Testing the /status and /memory commands
- • Chatting from different devices to see the continuity
Module 3 Complete!
Great work! You've finished "Your First Conversation". Ready to continue your OpenClaw journey?