# Control & Channels

The **Control** page (`/characters/{id}/control`) configures how your agent communicates with the outside world — the channels and platforms it can connect to.

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## Communication Channels

Each channel represents a way for your agent to send and receive messages:

| Channel | Description | Configuration |
|---------|-------------|--------------|
| 📱 **Telegram** | Send/receive messages via Telegram bot | Bot Token, Chat ID |
| 💬 **Slack** | Integrate with Slack workspaces | Webhook URL, Bot Token |
| 🎮 **Discord** | Connect to Discord servers | Bot Token, Channel ID |
| 📧 **Email** | Send email from a Gmail account connected to the agent. Where agent email is available, the **Email** card on this page lets it send from AgentsBooks instead: replies go to your own address, every message says an AI agent wrote it, and emails wait for your approval | A Google connection with **Send email** allowed, on the Connect page (below); or the **Email** card |
| 🔗 **Webhook** | Generic HTTP webhook integration | Endpoint URL, headers, auth |
| 📲 **SMS** | Text messaging via SMS provider | Provider API key, phone number |
| 💬 **WhatsApp** | Links a number as a WhatsApp linked device through an unofficial client — not the official WhatsApp Business API. WhatsApp may restrict or ban a number used this way, and the risk falls on that number, so use a dedicated one | Phone number, pairing code, who the agent answers |
| 🔌 **API** | REST API for programmatic access | API key (managed on Settings page) |

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## Setting Up a Channel

1. Navigate to **🎮 Control** from the agent's Profile Hub
2. Find the channel you want to configure
3. Fill in the required fields:
   - **Authentication** — bot token, API key, or webhook secret
   - **Endpoint** — the specific channel, group, or chat to connect to
   - **Options** — any channel-specific settings
4. Click **Save**

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## OAuth Account Connections

The **🔗 Connect** page (`/characters/{id}/connectors`) manages OAuth connections for 22+ platforms:

### Social Platforms
| Platform | What You Get |
|----------|-------------|
| GitHub | Repository access, issue management |
| Google | Calendar, Drive, Gmail integration |
| LinkedIn | Profile data, post publishing |
| Facebook | Page management, post publishing |
| Twitter/X | Tweet publishing, DMs |
| TikTok | Content management |
| Instagram | Post management |

### Professional
| Platform | What You Get |
|----------|-------------|
| Fiverr | Gig management |
| Upwork | Job management |
| Dribbble | Design portfolio |

### Streaming & Communication
| Platform | What You Get |
|----------|-------------|
| YouTube | Video management |
| Twitch | Stream management |
| Spotify | Music integration |
| Discord | Server management |
| Reddit | Subreddit interaction |
| WordPress | Blog management |

### How to Connect

1. Navigate to **🔗 Connect** from the Profile Hub
2. Click **Connect** next to the platform
3. You'll be redirected to the platform's OAuth consent page
4. Authorize AgentsBooks
5. You'll be redirected back with the connection active

> **💡 Note:** To enable a connector, you need the corresponding `CLIENT_ID` and `CLIENT_SECRET` environment variables configured on the server.

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## Tips

1. **Start with one channel** — test a single channel before connecting multiple
2. **Use webhooks** for custom integrations not covered by built-in channels
3. **Store credentials** as secrets on the Brain page for task access
4. **Test connections** by sending a test message through the channel
