Chat Integration
OpenClaw + Signal
Privacy-focused messaging via signal-cli. End-to-end encrypted.
Category
Chat
Setup Time
~10 minutes
What you can do
- End-to-end encryption
- Group support
- Media sharing
- Privacy-first architecture
Setup Guide
Prerequisites
- OpenClaw running
- A phone number to register with Signal (can be a secondary number)
- signal-cli will be installed automatically as a sidecar container
Configuration
channels:
signal:
enabled: true
phone_number: "+1234567890"You'll need to register the number with Signal and verify via SMS. Follow the OpenClaw logs for registration prompts.
Registration Process
- Add your phone number to the config
- Restart OpenClaw:
docker compose restart openclaw - Watch the logs:
docker compose logs -f openclaw - Signal will send an SMS verification code to your number
- Enter the verification code when prompted in the logs
- Wait for "Signal connected" confirmation
Verification
Send a Signal message to the registered number. OpenClaw should respond.
Common Issues
Registration blocked: Signal may block VoIP numbers. Use a real phone number for registration.
SMS not received: Some carriers block Signal SMS. Try using a different number or check with your carrier.
Already registered: If the number is already registered in the official Signal app, you'll need to use a different number or deregister it first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does OpenClaw work with Signal?
Yes — OpenClaw has a built-in Signal integration using signal-cli. It supports end-to-end encryption and maintains Signal's privacy guarantees. It's rated as Medium difficulty to set up and takes about 10 minutes.
Is the Signal integration free?
Yes. The Signal integration is free and included with OpenClaw. You only pay for hosting (~$7/mo) and AI API usage (~$3-10/mo).
How do I set up Signal with OpenClaw?
Add a phone number to your OpenClaw config, restart, and follow the SMS verification prompts in the logs. You'll need a real phone number that can receive SMS.
Can I use a VoIP number for Signal?
Signal often blocks VoIP numbers for registration. We recommend using a real mobile or landline number for the best results.
Is Signal integration secure?
Yes. OpenClaw uses signal-cli which implements Signal's official protocol. All messages are end-to-end encrypted, maintaining Signal's privacy guarantees.
Ready to set up Signal?
Follow our free guide to deploy OpenClaw and connect Signal in minutes.
Official docs: https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/signal