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

# Overview

> Connect Web Chat, WhatsApp, email, SMS, and other inboxes so customers can reach your agent

A channel is where customers message you. Conversations from that channel appear in the inbox. Create and manage channels from **Deploy → Channels** in the project sidebar.

<Note>
  **Integrations** connect tools (Sheets, outbound Gmail, Slack bots for automations). **Channels** are inboxes. [Gmail on Integrations](/docs/build/integrations/gmail) sends mail. [Email](/docs/deploy/channels/email) receives it. [Slack on Integrations](/docs/build/integrations/slack) posts alerts. [Slack](/docs/deploy/channels/slack) is workspace chat.
</Note>

## Open Channels

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open your project">
    Sign in and open the project.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go to Channels">
    In the project sidebar, under **Deploy**, select **Channels**. You see cards for each channel type.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect a channel">
    Select a card. Complete the wizard or create form. WhatsApp numbers are connected in the project **WhatsApp** hub first ([docs](/docs/outreach/whatsapp)), then you enable **WhatsApp AI Agent** on Channels.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Check>
  The channel appears on the Channels list. New customer messages show in **Conversations**. Attach a published [Chat workflow](/docs/build/workflows) in channel settings so the inbox uses your agent design and [tools](/docs/build/workflows/tools).
</Check>

## Available channels

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Web Chat" icon="globe" href="/docs/deploy/channels/web-chat">
    Embed the chat widget on your website.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Web Voice" icon="microphone" href="/docs/deploy/channels/web-voice">
    Voice-only widget, or a phone icon inside Web Chat.
  </Card>

  <Card title="API" icon="code" href="/docs/deploy/channels/api">
    Send messages to your agent over HTTPS with an API key.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Catalog" icon="table" href="/docs/deploy/channels/catalog">
    Catalog experience with media, locations, and appearance.
  </Card>

  <Card title="WhatsApp" icon="whatsapp" href="/docs/deploy/channels/whatsapp">
    Enable the WhatsApp AI Agent inbox after you connect the account in the [WhatsApp hub](/docs/outreach/whatsapp).
  </Card>

  <Card title="Email" icon="envelope" href="/docs/deploy/channels/email">
    Receive and reply to Gmail in Conversations.
  </Card>

  <Card title="SMS" icon="message" href="/docs/deploy/channels/sms">
    Inbound texts on an organization Twilio number.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Telegram" icon="paper-plane" href="/docs/deploy/channels/telegram">
    Telegram bot token from BotFather; webhook registers automatically.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Slack" icon="slack" href="/docs/deploy/channels/slack">
    Inbound Slack messages in the inbox.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Instagram" icon="camera" href="/docs/deploy/channels/instagram">
    Instagram Direct Messages on a Business or Creator account.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Facebook Messenger" icon="comment" href="/docs/deploy/channels/messenger">
    Messenger DMs on a Facebook Page.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Coming soon

**Discord** is not available to connect yet.

Your plan must include a channel type. If Connect is blocked, upgrade under billing or ask an admin.