How to use OpenClaw in group chats (e.g., Discord or Slack)?

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Configure OpenClaw to participate in group conversations, respond to mentions, and manage multi-user interactions.

How to Use OpenClaw in Group Chats (Discord or Slack)

OpenClaw works seamlessly in group chat environments, responding to mentions, following conversation threads, and managing multi-user interactions. Here's how to set it up and configure it for group contexts.

Group Chat Behavior

In group chats, OpenClaw behaves differently than in direct messages:

BehaviorDirect MessageGroup Chat
TriggerEvery messageMentions, keywords, or commands
ContextFull conversationRelevant thread only
MemoryPer-userPer-channel + per-user
Response styleConversationalConcise, relevant

Discord Setup


# ~/.openclaw/config.yaml
platforms:
  discord:
    enabled: true
    token: ${DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN}
    
    group_chat:
      trigger_mode: mention       # mention, keyword, prefix, all
      prefix: "!claw"             # If trigger_mode is prefix
      respond_to_threads: true
      thread_context_messages: 10 # Read last 10 messages in thread
      
    permissions:
      allowed_channels:
        - general
        - ai-assistant
        - dev-help
      blocked_channels:
        - announcements           # Read-only channels
      admin_roles:
        - "Server Admin"
        - "Moderator"

Discord Trigger Modes


# Mention mode (recommended for busy servers)
@OpenClaw what's the weather today?

# Prefix mode
!claw what's the weather today?

# Keyword mode (responds to specific words)
# Configure keywords in config:
#   keywords: ["hey claw", "openclaw", "ask ai"]

Slack Setup


platforms:
  slack:
    enabled: true
    bot_token: ${SLACK_BOT_TOKEN}
    app_token: ${SLACK_APP_TOKEN}
    
    group_chat:
      trigger_mode: mention
      respond_in_thread: true     # Reply in thread, not main channel
      thread_broadcast: false     # Don't broadcast thread replies
      
    channels:
      join_on_invite: true        # Auto-join when invited
      default_channels:
        - general
        - ai-help

Multi-User Memory

NotificationsAlwaysConfigurable

In group chats, OpenClaw manages memory at multiple levels:


┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│  Global Memory                      │  ← Shared across all contexts
│  (general knowledge, skills)        │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Channel Memory                     │  ← Per-channel context
│  (channel topic, pinned info)       │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│  User Memory                        │  ← Per-user preferences
│  (individual preferences, facts)    │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘


memory:
  group_chat:
    channel_memory: true          # Remember channel-specific context
    user_memory: true             # Remember individual user preferences
    cross_channel: false          # Don't share channel memories

Rate Limiting and Anti-Spam


group_chat:
  rate_limit:
    max_responses_per_minute: 5   # Prevent spam
    cooldown_seconds: 10          # Min time between responses
    max_per_user_per_hour: 20     # Per-user limit
    
  anti_spam:
    ignore_bots: true             # Don't respond to other bots
    min_message_length: 3         # Ignore very short messages
    duplicate_detection: true     # Ignore repeated messages

Thread Management


# Discord threads
discord:
  threads:
    auto_create: false            # Don't auto-create threads
    follow_threads: true          # Respond in existing threads
    max_thread_depth: 50          # Max messages to track per thread

# Slack threads
slack:
  threads:
    respond_in_thread: true       # Always reply in thread
    follow_thread: true           # Continue conversation in thread
    thread_summary: true          # Summarize long threads on request

Permission Management


# Set who can interact with OpenClaw
openclaw platform discord permissions --channel general --role everyone --allow chat
openclaw platform discord permissions --channel admin --role "Server Admin" --allow all
openclaw platform discord permissions --channel general --user spammer123 --deny all

# View current permissions
openclaw platform discord permissions --list

Group Chat Best Practices

PracticeWhy
Use mention trigger modePrevents noise in busy channels
Enable thread repliesKeeps conversations organized
Set rate limitsPrevents accidental spam
Define allowed channelsControls where the bot responds
Ignore other botsPrevents bot-to-bot loops

Troubleshooting Group Chat Issues

Use channel-specific memoryKeeps context relevant
ProblemSolution
Bot not responding in groupCheck trigger mode and channel permissions
Responding to everythingSwitch trigger_mode to mention
Wrong context in responsesIncrease thread_context_messages
Rate limited by platformReduce max_responses_per_minute
Bot-to-bot loopEnable ignore_bots: true
Responding in wrong channelCheck allowed_channels config

Example Group Interaction


#general channel:

Alice: @OpenClaw what's the status of project X?
OpenClaw: Based on the last update from Bob, Project X is in the 
          testing phase. The deadline is next Friday.
          [📎 Thread: Project X Status]

Bob: @OpenClaw update: we finished testing, deploying tomorrow
OpenClaw: Got it! I've updated the project status. Project X is now
          in the deployment phase, scheduled for tomorrow. I'll
          remember this for future queries.

Charlie: @OpenClaw remind the team about the standup at 10 AM
OpenClaw: ✅ Reminder set! I'll notify #general at 9:55 AM tomorrow
          about the standup meeting.
Memory mixing between usersVerify user_memory: true is set

Tip: Start with mention-only trigger mode in group chats. It's the least disruptive and gives you full control over when the bot engages. You can always switch to prefix mode if your team prefers a command-style interface.

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