Anthropic launches Claude Code Channels for messaging platforms

Saturday 21 March 2026 - 12:40

By: Dakir Madiha

Anthropic launches Claude Code Channels for messaging platforms

Anthropic has introduced Claude Code Channels, a new experimental feature that allows developers to control AI coding sessions directly from messaging apps such as Telegram and Discord, expanding access to its development tools.

The feature was announced by engineer Thariq Shihipar, who said developers can send commands to Claude Code through messaging platforms using supported integrations. The system enables interaction with coding sessions from mobile devices without requiring direct access to a local machine interface.

Claude Code Channels operates through a plugin based on the Model Context Protocol, linking messaging platforms to an active coding session running locally. Messages sent through a Telegram or Discord bot are routed to the developer’s environment, where Claude processes requests with access to local files, version control history, and development tools before returning responses through the same chat.

The integration supports two-way communication, including message edits, reactions, and typing indicators. Telegram allows file attachments up to 50 megabytes, while Discord supports multiple files of up to 25 megabytes each. The feature requires Claude Code version 2.1.80 or later and an active connection to Anthropic’s platform.

The launch positions Anthropic in direct competition with OpenClaw, an open-source project known for enabling AI interaction through messaging apps. OpenClaw has gained significant traction, but has faced security concerns, including reports of vulnerabilities and malicious packages within its ecosystem.

Anthropic had previously restricted third-party access to its Claude models, limiting the use of subscription tokens by external tools. With Claude Code Channels, the company is now offering a native alternative within its own ecosystem.

The feature is designed with extensibility in mind. While Telegram and Discord are supported at launch, documentation اشاره potential compatibility with additional platforms such as iMessage, and developers have requested integrations with Slack and WhatsApp.

A local testing tool called Fakechat is also available, allowing developers to experiment with the system without connecting external services. However, the current setup requires a local machine to remain active, as cloud-based session persistence is not yet available.

Early user feedback suggests the feature performs well but may require technical setup, indicating further refinement is likely as development continues.