NanoClaw Customization

This skill helps users add capabilities or modify behavior. Use AskUserQuestion to understand what they want before making changes.

Workflow

1. •Understand the request - Ask clarifying questions
2. •Plan the changes - Identify files to modify
3. •Implement - Make changes directly to the code
4. •Test guidance - Tell user how to verify

Key Files

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:

1. •Create src/channels/{name}.ts implementing the Channel interface from src/types.ts (see src/channels/whatsapp.ts for reference)
2. •Add the channel instance to main() in src/index.ts and wire callbacks (onMessage, onChatMetadata)
3. •Messages are stored via the onMessage callback; routing is automatic via ownsJid()

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:

1. •Add MCP server config to the container settings (see src/container-runner.ts for how MCP servers are mounted)
2. •Document available tools 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:

1. •Commands are handled by the agent naturally — add instructions to groups/CLAUDE.md or the group's CLAUDE.md
2. •For trigger-level routing changes, modify processGroupMessages() in src/index.ts

Changing Deployment

Questions to ask:

• •Target platform? (Linux server, Docker, different Mac)
• •Service manager? (systemd, Docker, supervisord)

Implementation:

1. •Create appropriate service files
2. •Update paths in config
3. •Provide setup instructions

After Changes

Always tell the user:

# 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"

1. •Ask: "Should Telegram use the same @Andy trigger, or a different one?"
2. •Ask: "Should Telegram messages create separate conversation contexts, or share with WhatsApp groups?"
3. •Create src/channels/telegram.ts implementing the Channel interface (see src/channels/whatsapp.ts)
4. •Add the channel to main() in src/index.ts
5. •Tell user how to authenticate and test