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

# Channels Overview

> Deploy agents to messaging platforms. Telegram, Slack, and SMS integrations.

Channels allow agents to interact with users on messaging platforms instead of just Console.

## Supported Channels

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Telegram" href="./telegram">
    Bot API integration. Group chats supported.

    **Limit:** 4,096 characters per message
  </Card>

  <Card title="Slack" href="./slack">
    Events API. Direct messages and channels.

    **Limit:** 4,000 characters per message
  </Card>

  <Card title="SMS" href="./sms">
    SMS and MMS support.

    **Limit:** 160 characters per SMS
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## How Channels Work

1. **User sends message** via Telegram/Slack/SMS
2. **Platform forwards** message to Noorle
3. **Agent processes** request
4. **Response sent back** to platform
5. **User receives** reply

All happens transparently to end user.

## Setting Up a Channel

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create Agent">
    Build and test agent first in Console.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to Channels">
    **Agents** > Select agent > **Settings** > **Channels**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Channel">
    Click **Add Channel**. Choose platform.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Credentials">
    Provide platform-specific credentials (bot token, webhook, etc.).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test Connection">
    Send test message from platform.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy">
    Enable channel. Agent now available on platform.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Platform-Specific Guides

* **[Telegram](/docs/run/channels/telegram)** - Set up bot token and webhook
* **[Slack](/docs/run/channels/slack)** - Configure Events API and OAuth scopes
* **[SMS](/docs/run/channels/sms)** - SMS provider setup

## Message Limits

Each platform has character limits:

| Platform | Limit | Workaround      |
| -------- | ----- | --------------- |
| Telegram | 4,096 | Split responses |
| Slack    | 4,000 | Use threads     |
| SMS      | 160   | Split messages  |

Agent automatically handles splitting.

## User Identity

Each platform has user identification:

* **Telegram:** User ID + username
* **Slack:** User ID + profile
* **SMS:** Phone number

Agent can personalize responses based on identity.

## Message Types

Supported message features:

| Type    | Telegram | Slack | SMS |
| ------- | -------- | ----- | --- |
| Text    | ✓        | ✓     | ✓   |
| Images  | ✓        | ✓     | ✓   |
| Files   | ✓        | ✓     | -   |
| Buttons | ✓        | ✓     | -   |
| Threads | -        | ✓     | -   |

## Rate Limits

Platform-specific limits:

* **Telegram:** 30 messages/second per bot
* **Slack:** Per-workspace rate limits
* **SMS:** 100 messages/hour per number

Noorle enforces these automatically.

## Monitoring

Track channel activity:

1. **Agents** > Select agent
2. **Activity** tab
3. Filter by channel
4. See messages and responses

## Troubleshooting

### Channel not receiving messages

* Verify credentials are correct
* Check webhook is configured
* Ensure agent is **Active**
* Test with simple message

### Agent not responding

* Check agent is active
* Verify capabilities attached
* Look for errors in Activity log
* Test agent in Console first

### Messages truncated

* Platform character limit reached
* Agent response too long
* Check message limit in documentation
* Consider shortening responses

## Costs

For current pricing details, see [Pricing](https://noorle.com/pricing/).

## Next Steps

* [Telegram Setup](/docs/run/channels/telegram)
* [Slack Setup](/docs/run/channels/slack)
* [SMS Setup](/docs/run/channels/sms)
* [Creating Agents](/docs/run/agents/creating-an-agent)