## Behavior

- Activation modes: `mention` (default) or `always`. `mention` requires a ping (real WhatsApp @-mentions via `mentionedJids`, safe regex patterns, or the bot’s E.164 anywhere in the text). `always` wakes the agent on every message but it should reply only when it can add meaningful value; otherwise it returns the exact silent token `NO_REPLY` / `no_reply`. Defaults can be set in config (`channels.whatsapp.groups`) and overridden per group via `/activation`. When `channels.whatsapp.groups` is set, it also acts as a group allowlist (include `"*"` to allow all).

- Activation modes: `mention` (default) or `always`. `mention` requires a ping (real WhatsApp @-mentions via `mentionedJids`, safe regex patterns, or the bot's E.164 anywhere in the text). `always` wakes the agent on every message but it should reply only when it can add meaningful value; otherwise it returns the exact silent token `NO_REPLY` / `no_reply`. Defaults can be set in config (`channels.whatsapp.groups`) and overridden per group via `/activation`. When `channels.whatsapp.groups` is set, it also acts as a group allowlist (include `"*"` to allow all).

- Group policy: `channels.whatsapp.groupPolicy` controls whether group messages are accepted (`open|disabled|allowlist`). `allowlist` uses `channels.whatsapp.groupAllowFrom` (fallback: explicit `channels.whatsapp.allowFrom`). Default is `allowlist` (blocked until you add senders).

- Per-group sessions: session keys look like `agent:<agentId>:whatsapp:group:<jid>` so commands such as `/verbose on`, `/trace on`, or `/think high` (sent as standalone messages) are scoped to that group; personal DM state is untouched. Heartbeats are skipped for group threads.

- Context injection: **pending-only** group messages (default 50) that _did not_ trigger a run are prefixed under `[Chat messages since your last reply - for context]`, with the triggering line under `[Current message - respond to this]`. Messages already in the session are not re-injected.

- Sender surfacing: every group batch now ends with `[from: Sender Name (+E164)]` so Pi knows who is speaking.

- Ephemeral/view-once: we unwrap those before extracting text/mentions, so pings inside them still trigger.

- Group system prompt: on the first turn of a group session (and whenever `/activation` changes the mode) we inject a short blurb into the system prompt like `You are replying inside the WhatsApp group "<subject>". Group members: Alice (+44...), Bob (+43...), … Activation: trigger-only … Address the specific sender noted in the message context.` If metadata isn’t available we still tell the agent it’s a group chat.

- Group system prompt: on the first turn of a group session (and whenever `/activation` changes the mode) we inject a short blurb into the system prompt like `You are replying inside the WhatsApp group "<subject>". Group members: Alice (+44...), Bob (+43...), ... Activation: trigger-only ... Address the specific sender noted in the message context.` If metadata isn't available we still tell the agent it's a group chat.

## Config example (WhatsApp)

- `/activation mention`

- `/activation always`

Only the owner number (from `channels.whatsapp.allowFrom`, or the bot’s own E.164 when unset) can change this. Send `/status` as a standalone message in the group to see the current activation mode.

Only the owner number (from `channels.whatsapp.allowFrom`, or the bot's own E.164 when unset) can change this. Send `/status` as a standalone message in the group to see the current activation mode.

## How to use

1. Add your WhatsApp account (the one running OpenClaw) to the group.

2. Say `@openclaw …` (or include the number). Only allowlisted senders can trigger it unless you set `groupPolicy: "open"`.

3. The agent prompt will include recent group context plus the trailing `[from: …]` marker so it can address the right person.

4. Session-level directives (`/verbose on`, `/trace on`, `/think high`, `/new` or `/reset`, `/compact`) apply only to that group’s session; send them as standalone messages so they register. Your personal DM session remains independent.

4. Session-level directives (`/verbose on`, `/trace on`, `/think high`, `/new` or `/reset`, `/compact`) apply only to that group's session; send them as standalone messages so they register. Your personal DM session remains independent.

## Testing / verification

- Heartbeats are intentionally skipped for groups to avoid noisy broadcasts.

- Echo suppression uses the combined batch string; if you send identical text twice without mentions, only the first will get a response.

- Session store entries will appear as `agent:<agentId>:whatsapp:group:<jid>` in the session store (`~/.openclaw/agents/<agentId>/sessions/sessions.json` by default); a missing entry just means the group hasn’t triggered a run yet.

- Session store entries will appear as `agent:<agentId>:whatsapp:group:<jid>` in the session store (`~/.openclaw/agents/<agentId>/sessions/sessions.json` by default); a missing entry just means the group hasn't triggered a run yet.

- Typing indicators in groups follow `agents.defaults.typingMode`. When visible replies use the default message-tool-only mode, typing starts immediately by default so group members can see the agent is working even if no automatic final reply is posted. Explicit typing-mode config still wins.

## Related