> ## 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

> How users connect with your AI agent

## What are Channels?

**Channels** are the communication platforms where users interact with your AI agent - like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Email, Instagram, Slack, and your website.

<Card title="Think of it as:" icon="broadcast-tower">
  The connection points between your users and your AI agent - where conversations happen
</Card>

## Why Channels Matter

Your agent can respond to users across **all their preferred platforms** - not just one.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Multi-Platform" icon="globe">
    One agent, many channels
  </Card>

  <Card title="Unified Experience" icon="equals">
    Same agent everywhere
  </Card>

  <Card title="Meet Users Anywhere" icon="location-dot">
    Users choose their platform
  </Card>

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

## Currently Supported Channels

We currently support 6 communication channels:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Messaging Apps">
    * 📱 **WhatsApp** - Business messaging
    * 💬 **Facebook Messenger** - Page messaging
    * 📸 **Instagram Messenger** - Direct messages
    * 💼 **Slack** - Workspace integration
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Web & Email">
    * 📧 **Email** - Professional communication
    * 💻 **WebChat (LuaPop)** - Website chat widget
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Note>
  **🚀 More channels coming soon!** SMS, Microsoft Teams, Discord, Telegram, and more are in development.
</Note>

## How It Works

```
Customer sends message on WhatsApp
            ↓
   Message forwarded to Lua
            ↓
    Your agent processes it
            ↓
    Agent calls your tools
            ↓
   Response sent back to WhatsApp
            ↓
  Customer receives reply
```

**Same process for all channels!**

## Two Ways to Connect

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="CLI (Quick)">
    ```bash theme={null}
    lua channels
    ```

    **Supports:**

    * WhatsApp
    * Facebook
    * Email
    * Slack

    **Best for:** Developers, terminal workflow
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Admin Dashboard (Visual)">
    ```bash theme={null}
    lua admin
    ```

    **Supports:**

    * All channels
    * OAuth flows
    * Visual setup
    * Analytics

    **Best for:** All users, OAuth platforms
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Example: Multi-Channel Agent

```
Your agent on all platforms:

📱 WhatsApp: +1-555-BUSINESS
💬 Facebook: Business Page
📧 Email: support@company.com
💻 Website: Chat widget
💼 Slack: #support channel

Result: Customers reach you anywhere,
        agent responds consistently everywhere
```

## Quick Setup

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

  <Step title="Connect Channels">
    ```bash theme={null}
    lua channels
    ```

    Or use admin dashboard
  </Step>

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

  <Step title="Monitor">
    ```bash theme={null}
    lua admin
    ```

    View conversations in real-time
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Complete Channels Guide" icon="book" href="/channels/introduction">
    Detailed setup for every channel type
  </Card>

  <Card title="WhatsApp Setup" icon="whatsapp" href="/channels/whatsapp">
    Connect WhatsApp Business
  </Card>

  <Card title="Website Widget" icon="globe" href="/channels/website-widget">
    Add chat to your website
  </Card>

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