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

# Channels

> How Dialog delivers research results to you

Channels control where your research results are delivered, from [scheduled tasks](/core-concepts/scheduling) and manual requests alike.

## Web Inbox

The web inbox is Dialog's built-in delivery channel. It's always available and requires no setup.

Every scheduled task result automatically appears in your web inbox, stored alongside your regular chat sessions. You can browse, search, and revisit past results at any time from within the app.

The web inbox is the default channel for all scheduled tasks. Even if you add other channels, results always show up here too.

## Telegram

Dialog uses a per-user bot model for Telegram delivery. Instead of a shared bot, you create and register your own Telegram bot, giving you full control over who can interact with it.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a bot with @BotFather">
    Open Telegram, search for **@BotFather**, and use the `/newbot` command to create your bot. You'll receive a bot token.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register the bot token in Dialog">
    Go to **Settings > Channels** in Dialog and paste your bot token in the Telegram integration section.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick a default agent">
    Choose which agent handles new Telegram conversations. This is the agent that answers by default; users can switch per-conversation with the `/agent` command.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add allowed users">
    Only Telegram users on this allowlist can interact with your bot. Add them by their numeric Telegram User ID (with an optional label). To find a user's ID, have them message **@userinfobot** on Telegram.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Once connected, your Telegram bot supports these commands:

| Command    | What it does                                |
| ---------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| `/new`     | Start a new research session                |
| `/agent`   | Switch the agent handling this conversation |
| `/history` | View recent sessions                        |
| `/tools`   | List available data sources                 |
| `/credits` | Check your credit balance                   |
| `/help`    | Show all available commands                 |

Telegram isn't just for receiving scheduled results. You can chat with your agent directly through the bot, running research queries on the go without opening the app.

Messages are formatted for Telegram's interface with bold text, code blocks, and clickable links. Long responses are automatically split into chunks at the 4,000-character-per-message limit so nothing gets cut off.

## Slack

Connect your Slack workspace to chat with your agent in DMs or channels. Unlike Telegram's self-hosted bot model, Slack uses an OAuth install flow — click **Add to Slack** in Settings and authorize the app.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install the app">
    Go to **Settings > Channels** and click **Add to Slack**. Authorize Dialog in your workspace.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Chat in DMs">
    Send a direct message to the Dialog bot. DMs are always enabled — no allowlist needed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable channels">
    To use the bot in specific channels, add them to your allowlist in Settings. Each allowed channel is mapped to a specific agent via a dropdown, so `#competitive-intel` can route to a research-focused agent while `#growth` routes to a content-focused one. To find a channel's ID, right-click its name in Slack and select **View channel details** — the ID is at the bottom.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Your agent processes messages serially per thread, so responses stay coherent even under rapid-fire queries. Long responses are automatically split at Slack's message limits, and errors are surfaced as ephemeral messages visible only to you.

| Feature             | Details                                             |
| ------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| DM support          | Always enabled                                      |
| Channel support     | Allowlisted channels only                           |
| Per-channel agents  | Each allowed channel routes to the agent you select |
| Mentions            | `@Dialog` in allowed channels                       |
| Progress indicators | Emoji reactions + live message updates              |
| Connection model    | One workspace per Dialog account                    |

## Multi-channel delivery

A single scheduled task can deliver to multiple channels at the same time. When you configure a schedule, you can select web inbox, Telegram, and Slack to receive the same results simultaneously.

This is useful when you want immediate push notifications via Telegram or Slack while keeping a permanent, searchable record in your web inbox. There's no extra credit cost for multi-channel delivery — you're charged per execution, not per channel.

## Coming soon

Dialog is expanding its channel support. Two integrations are already visible in **Settings > Channels** as *Coming Soon*:

* **Discord** — deliver results and chat with your agent via a Discord server or DM
* **WhatsApp** — receive briefings and run quick research via WhatsApp

<Tip>
  For detailed setup instructions, see the [Telegram Delivery](/guides/telegram-delivery) or [Slack Integration](/guides/slack-integration) guides.
</Tip>