> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.heylua.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Channels Overview

> Connect your agent to WhatsApp, Facebook, Email, Slack, and more

## What are Channels?

**Channels** are the communication platforms where users interact with your AI agent. They're the "front doors" that connect your users to your agent's capabilities.

## Currently Supported Channels (6+)

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Email" icon="envelope">
    Professional communication
  </Card>

  <Card title="WebChat (LuaPop)" icon="globe">
    Website chat widget
  </Card>

  <Card title="Facebook Messenger" icon="facebook">
    Page messages
  </Card>

  <Card title="Instagram Messenger" icon="instagram">
    Direct messages
  </Card>

  <Card title="WhatsApp" icon="whatsapp">
    Business messaging
  </Card>

  <Card title="Slack" icon="slack">
    Workspace integration
  </Card>

  <Card title="HTTP API" icon="code">
    Direct programmatic access
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Note>
  **🚀 More channels coming soon!** SMS, Microsoft Teams, Discord, Telegram, LinkedIn, and WeChat are in active development. Want a specific channel? Let us know at [support@heylua.ai](mailto:support@heylua.ai)
</Note>

## How Channels Work

<Steps>
  <Step title="User Sends Message">
    Customer messages your business on WhatsApp, Facebook, Email, etc.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Channel Forwards to Lua">
    The channel forwards the message to your Lua agent
  </Step>

  <Step title="Agent Processes">
    Your agent understands the message and determines response
  </Step>

  <Step title="Agent Uses Tools">
    Agent calls your tools to take actions (search products, check orders, etc.)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Response Sent Back">
    Agent's response is sent back through the same channel
  </Step>

  <Step title="User Receives Reply">
    Customer gets response on their preferred platform
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Multi-Channel Benefits

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Meet Users Anywhere" icon="location-dot">
    Users on WhatsApp, Facebook, Email - all talk to same agent
  </Card>

  <Card title="Consistent Experience" icon="equals">
    Same capabilities and personality across all platforms
  </Card>

  <Card title="Centralized Management" icon="grip">
    Manage all channels from one place
  </Card>

  <Card title="Unified Analytics" icon="chart-line">
    Track conversations across all channels together
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Available Channels

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Messaging">
    ### WhatsApp Business

    * Business messaging at scale
    * Rich media support
    * High engagement rates
    * Popular in many regions

    <Card title="Setup Guide" href="/channels/whatsapp" />

    ### Facebook Messenger

    * Facebook Page messaging
    * Reach Facebook users
    * Integrated with social
    * Rich content support

    <Card title="Setup Guide" href="/channels/facebook-messenger" />

    ### Instagram

    * Direct messages
    * Story replies
    * Visual platform
    * Young demographic

    <Card title="Setup Guide" href="/channels/instagram" />
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Business">
    ### Email

    * Professional communication
    * B2B friendly
    * Universal platform
    * Formal inquiries

    <Card title="Setup Guide" href="/channels/email" />

    ### Slack

    * Team collaboration
    * Internal use
    * Developer friendly
    * Real-time messaging

    <Card title="Setup Guide" href="/channels/slack" />
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Web">
    ### Website Chat Widget

    * Embed on website
    * Customizable design
    * Voice chat support
    * Analytics built-in

    <Card title="Setup Guide" href="/channels/website-widget" />
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Two Ways to Connect

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="CLI Command">
    **Quick terminal-based setup**

    ```bash theme={null}
    lua channels
    ```

    **Supported:**

    * ✅ WhatsApp
    * ✅ Facebook Messenger
    * ✅ Email
    * ✅ Slack (Private & Public)

    **Best for:**

    * Developers
    * Terminal workflow
    * Automated setup
    * Scripting

    <Card title="CLI Guide" href="/channels/cli-management" />
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Admin Dashboard">
    **Visual web interface**

    ```bash theme={null}
    lua admin
    # Or visit: https://admin.heylua.ai
    ```

    **Supported:**

    * ✅ All channels
    * ✅ Instagram (OAuth)
    * ✅ SMS/Twilio
    * ✅ Analytics
    * ✅ Monitoring

    **Best for:**

    * All users
    * OAuth flows
    * Visual management
    * Team collaboration

    <Card title="Dashboard Guide" href="/channels/admin-dashboard" />
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Channel Selection Guide

### For E-commerce

* ✅ **WhatsApp** - High engagement
* ✅ **Instagram** - Visual products
* ✅ **Facebook** - Social shoppers
* ✅ **Website Widget** - On-site support

### For B2B/SaaS

* ✅ **Email** - Professional
* ✅ **Slack** - Team integration
* ✅ **Website Widget** - Product support

### For Customer Support

* ✅ **Email** - Ticket system
* ✅ **WhatsApp** - Quick responses
* ✅ **Website Widget** - Live help
* ✅ **Facebook** - Social support

### For Internal Use

* ✅ **Slack** - Team collaboration
* ✅ **Email** - Company communication

## Quick Start

<Steps>
  <Step title="Deploy Your Agent">
    ```bash theme={null}
    lua push
    lua deploy
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Channel">
    Pick where your users are
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect Channel">
    Use CLI or admin dashboard
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test">
    Send message on that platform
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go Live">
    Users can now reach your agent!
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Explore Channels

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="WhatsApp Business" icon="whatsapp" href="/channels/whatsapp">
    Set up WhatsApp messaging
  </Card>

  <Card title="Facebook Messenger" icon="facebook" href="/channels/facebook-messenger">
    Connect Facebook Page
  </Card>

  <Card title="Instagram" icon="instagram" href="/channels/instagram">
    Instagram DMs
  </Card>

  <Card title="Email" icon="envelope" href="/channels/email">
    Email integration
  </Card>

  <Card title="Slack" icon="slack" href="/channels/slack">
    Workspace integration
  </Card>

  <Card title="Website Widget" icon="globe" href="/channels/website-widget">
    Embed on website
  </Card>

  <Card title="HTTP API" icon="code" href="/channels/http-api">
    Direct programmatic access
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Coming Soon 🚀

We're actively adding support for more channels:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="SMS/Twilio" icon="message">
    Text messaging
  </Card>

  <Card title="Microsoft Teams" icon="microsoft">
    Business communication
  </Card>

  <Card title="Discord" icon="discord">
    Community platform
  </Card>

  <Card title="Telegram" icon="telegram">
    Secure messaging
  </Card>

  <Card title="LinkedIn" icon="linkedin">
    Professional network
  </Card>

  <Card title="WeChat" icon="weixin">
    Chinese market
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Note>
  Want a specific channel? Let us know at [support@heylua.ai](mailto:support@heylua.ai)
</Note>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="CLI Management" icon="terminal" href="/channels/cli-management">
    Terminal-based setup
  </Card>

  <Card title="Admin Dashboard" icon="gauge" href="/channels/admin-dashboard">
    Visual management
  </Card>
</CardGroup>