Anthropic’s Claude Code channels just landed as a research preview, with a straightforward pitch: control a Claude Code session through select MCPs, starting with Telegram and Discord, and message the session from a phone.
In practice, “channels” is framed as a new interaction layer around Claude Code—less about adding another chat surface, and more about letting developers route inputs and outputs through services they already keep open all day.
What “channels” adds to Claude Code
The release introduces Claude Code channels, described as a way to control an existing Claude Code session via MCP integrations. The first two options are:
- Telegram
- Discord
The idea is that Claude Code can be messaged remotely—such as from a phone—without needing to be at the terminal for every interaction.
Thariq also characterized the feature as an early step: a research preview that will be expanded.
Setup docs: Telegram, Discord, and the Channels overview
Alongside the announcement, links were shared for getting started:
- Telegram setup: https://t.co/fT5VfGwIVc
- Discord setup: https://t.co/vyXtbUox2N
- Channels documentation: https://t.co/apaPL9496Z
Those docs are positioned as the primary entry point for configuring the new channels and understanding the model Anthropic is aiming for.
“Hackable” remote control, not just another chat client
In replies, Thariq drew a line between channels and other remote-Claude options like Dispatch, describing channels as focused on devs who want something hackable and emphasizing that the goal is to offer “a lot of different options” for talking to Claude remotely.
That framing resonated with developers thinking beyond “texting from bed.” One response highlighted a practical workflow: long-running sessions where a custom channel could send a Telegram ping when an agent needs a decision, instead of forcing constant alt-tabbing.
There were also questions about broader client support—like whether this works with a desktop app, or whether it’s coming to the Claude app. The response: not yet, with a nod that it could be made to happen.
More channels may be on the table
When asked about iMessage support, Thariq responded with an eyes emoji—hardly a roadmap, but enough to suggest the “channels” surface area may grow beyond Telegram and Discord.
Original source: https://x.com/trq212/status/2034761016320696565
