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Last updated: October 20, 2026

Browse documentation · Connect a channel as an administrator
Administration

Connect a channel as an administrator

Use this procedure to make a chat platform available to Elowen users. The optional Telegram or WhatsApp plugin must be installed before its controls appear. Installing, enabling, disabling, or changing its settings takes effect after an Elowen restart. For what users share in a room, see What is shared in a channel.

Install and configure the plugin

  1. Open Settings → Available plugins and install the required Telegram or WhatsApp plugin. Check its marketplace details for compatibility with the running core.
  2. Open the plugin's settings. For Telegram, create a bot with BotFather and copy its token. For WhatsApp, open the pairing panel and select Pair device.
  3. Save the credentials or complete pairing as directed. Telegram connects after the requested restart. For WhatsApp, scan the displayed QR code in the WhatsApp app under Linked devices → Link a device. If using phone-number pairing, enter the international number without punctuation, then enter the displayed code under Linked devices → Link with phone number.
  4. Configure at least one access policy before inviting users. Do not share bot tokens or pairing codes.

Connect the platform account

Telegram keeps a bot token as a secret setting and connects using long polling; it does not need a public webhook. If it should receive every group message, disable Group Privacy in BotFather. Otherwise Telegram may limit which group messages reach the bot.

WhatsApp uses one linked device session. Its pairing panel shows the connection state. A linked account may temporarily be offline while reconnecting; do not pair again solely for that state. Use Unpair device only when intentionally disconnecting the account, then pair it again to reconnect.

Set access policies

Add a rule matching the people or chats you intend to admit. Telegram policies can match a user ID, username, or chat ID; WhatsApp policies can match a phone number, personal identifier, or group identifier. The first matching named policy applies, and unmatched senders are ignored. Keep a wildcard rule last.

People must also link their platform identity to an Elowen account. That account supplies project access and tool permissions; a channel rule does not grant them. Enable Administrator access only for a policy that needs shared channel controls. This flag does not grant instance ownership. Check that any group-wide policy admits only the intended participants.

Test the connection

After saving, wait for Elowen to restart. Send a test message from an admitted identity, then verify that the reply returns in the originating chat. If it fails, confirm the connection state, policy match, linked account, group permissions and Telegram's group privacy setting. For user steps, see Elowen in Telegram and Elowen in WhatsApp.