Agent Send
openclaw agent runs a single agent turn from the command line without needing
an inbound chat message. Use it for scripted workflows, testing, and
programmatic delivery.
Quick start
Run a simple agent turn
openclaw agent --message "What is the weather today?"
Target a specific agent or session
# Target a specific agent
openclaw agent --agent ops --message "Summarize logs"
# Target a phone number (derives session key)
openclaw agent --to +15555550123 --message "Status update"
# Reuse an existing session
openclaw agent --session-id abc123 --message "Continue the task"
Deliver the reply to a channel
# Deliver to WhatsApp (default channel)
openclaw agent --to +15555550123 --message "Report ready" --deliver
# Deliver to Slack
openclaw agent --agent ops --message "Generate report" \
--deliver --reply-channel slack --reply-to "#reports"
Flags
| Flag | Description |
|---|
--message \<text\> | Message to send (required) |
--to \<dest\> | Derive session key from a target (phone, chat id) |
--agent \<id\> | Target a configured agent (uses its main session) |
--session-id \<id\> | Reuse an existing session by id |
--local | Force local embedded runtime (skip Gateway) |
--deliver | Send the reply to a chat channel |
--channel \<name\> | Delivery channel (whatsapp, telegram, discord, slack, etc.) |
--reply-to \<target\> | Delivery target override |
--reply-channel \<name\> | Delivery channel override |
--reply-account \<id\> | Delivery account id override |
--thinking \<level\> | Set thinking level (off, minimal, low, medium, high, xhigh) |
--verbose \<on|full|off\> | Set verbose level |
--timeout \<seconds\> | Override agent timeout |
--json | Output structured JSON |
Behavior
- By default, the CLI goes through the Gateway. Add
--local to force the
embedded runtime on the current machine.
- If the Gateway is unreachable, the CLI falls back to the local embedded run.
- Session selection:
--to derives the session key (group/channel targets
preserve isolation; direct chats collapse to main).
- Thinking and verbose flags persist into the session store.
- Output: plain text by default, or
--json for structured payload + metadata.
Examples
# Simple turn with JSON output
openclaw agent --to +15555550123 --message "Trace logs" --verbose on --json
# Turn with thinking level
openclaw agent --session-id 1234 --message "Summarize inbox" --thinking medium
# Deliver to a different channel than the session
openclaw agent --agent ops --message "Alert" --deliver --reply-channel telegram --reply-to "@admin"
Last modified on March 22, 2026
