NanoClaw Customization
This skill helps users add capabilities or modify behavior. Use AskUserQuestion to understand what they want before making changes.
Workflow
- •Understand the request - Ask clarifying questions
- •Plan the changes - Identify files to modify
- •Implement - Make changes directly to the code
- •Test guidance - Tell user how to verify
Key Files
| File | Purpose |
|---|---|
src/config.ts | Assistant name, trigger pattern, directories |
src/index.ts | Message routing, WhatsApp connection, agent invocation |
src/db.ts | Database initialization and queries |
src/types.ts | TypeScript interfaces |
src/whatsapp-auth.ts | Standalone WhatsApp authentication script |
.mcp.json | MCP server configuration (reference) |
groups/CLAUDE.md | Global memory/persona |
Common Customization Patterns
Adding a New Input Channel (e.g., Telegram, Slack, Email)
Questions to ask:
- •Which channel? (Telegram, Slack, Discord, email, SMS, etc.)
- •Same trigger word or different?
- •Same memory hierarchy or separate?
- •Should messages from this channel go to existing groups or new ones?
Implementation pattern:
- •Find/add MCP server for the channel
- •Add connection and message handling in
src/index.ts - •Store messages in the database (update
src/db.tsif needed) - •Ensure responses route back to correct channel
Adding a New MCP Integration
Questions to ask:
- •What service? (Calendar, Notion, database, etc.)
- •What operations needed? (read, write, both)
- •Which groups should have access?
Implementation:
- •Add MCP server to the
mcpServersconfig insrc/index.ts - •Add tools to
allowedToolsarray - •Document in
groups/CLAUDE.md
Changing Assistant Behavior
Questions to ask:
- •What aspect? (name, trigger, persona, response style)
- •Apply to all groups or specific ones?
Simple changes → edit src/config.ts
Persona changes → edit groups/CLAUDE.md
Per-group behavior → edit specific group's CLAUDE.md
Adding New Commands
Questions to ask:
- •What should the command do?
- •Available in all groups or main only?
- •Does it need new MCP tools?
Implementation:
- •Add command handling in
processMessage()insrc/index.ts - •Check for the command before the trigger pattern check
Changing Deployment
Questions to ask:
- •Target platform? (Linux server, Docker, different Mac)
- •Service manager? (systemd, Docker, supervisord)
Implementation:
- •Create appropriate service files
- •Update paths in config
- •Provide setup instructions
After Changes
Always tell the user:
bash
# Rebuild and restart npm run build launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.nanoclaw.plist launchctl load ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.nanoclaw.plist
Example Interaction
User: "Add Telegram as an input channel"
- •Ask: "Should Telegram use the same @Andy trigger, or a different one?"
- •Ask: "Should Telegram messages create separate conversation contexts, or share with WhatsApp groups?"
- •Find Telegram MCP or library
- •Add connection handling in index.ts
- •Update message storage in db.ts
- •Tell user how to authenticate and test