channels

Add, remove, login, and inspect messaging channels

SERVEROpenClaw SOURCEopenclaw

Medium RISK CLASS

Category Write

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity verified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/openclaw/channels.md

WHAT IT DOES

What channels does on OpenClaw

AI agents use channels to create or update resources in OpenClaw, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your OpenClaw environment.

RISK

Why channels is rated Medium

The tool spans multiple categories: 'inspect' is Read, but 'add' and 'remove' are Write/Destructive and 'login' is Execute-like. Since 'remove' could be destructive (removing a channel), but it is likely reversible (channels can be re-added), Write is the most appropriate category.

From the tool's definition 'Add, remove, login, and inspect messaging channels' — the tool performs add, remove, and login operations in addition to inspection

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs channels safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and OpenClaw, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For channels, this is the rule to start with:

channels Rate-limited

channels stays usable, but capped: an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "channels": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "channels_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect OpenClaw, apply this rule, and every channels call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about channels

What does the channels tool do? +

Add, remove, login, and inspect messaging channels. It is categorised as a Write tool in the OpenClaw MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on channels? +

Register the OpenClaw MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for channels: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches OpenClaw. Nothing to install.

What risk level is channels? +

channels is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit channels? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the channels rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block channels completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for channels. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides channels? +

channels is provided by the OpenClaw MCP server (openclaw). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

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