Messenger Integration

Deploy OpenClaw on Facebook Messenger

Reach your audience where they already are. With over 1.3 billion active users, Facebook Messenger is one of the world's most popular messaging platforms. OpenClaw integrates with the Messenger Platform API to provide AI-powered conversations for personal assistance, customer service, marketing automation, and business communication at scale.

Get This Integration Set Up

View Our Services

Messaging

Facebook Messenger

Visit Website

How OpenClaw Messenger Integration Works

We Create Your Facebook App

We set up a Facebook App in the Meta Developer Portal with Messenger capabilities, configure your app's settings, generate access tokens, and set up webhooks to receive messages from users.

We Connect OpenClaw to Your Page

We link your Facebook Page and app credentials to OpenClaw's Messenger bridge and configure message handling, response formats, and AI behavior. The bridge manages all communication with Meta's Messenger Platform API.

We Configure Conversation Flows

We design how OpenClaw handles different types of conversations, set up quick replies, persistent menus, handover protocols for human agents, and automated responses for common scenarios.

We Launch and Monitor

We deploy your Messenger bot and verify all engagement flows work correctly. We monitor conversations, gather insights, and help you continuously improve responses as you scale.

Why Connect OpenClaw to {page.integration.name}

Massive User Base

Access over 1.3 billion monthly active Messenger users worldwide. Meet your customers where they already spend time. No app downloads or account creation needed - people can start chatting with your AI assistant instantly through a platform they already use daily.

Rich Media Messages

Send and receive images, videos, audio, files, and locations. Use templates for product carousels, receipts, flight updates, and more. Create visually engaging conversations that go far beyond plain text exchanges.

Business Integration

Connect directly with Facebook Pages and Instagram. Link your Messenger bot to your business presence, integrate with Facebook Shops, and provide seamless customer service across Meta's ecosystem. One bot serves multiple touchpoints.

Handover Protocol

Seamlessly transition conversations between AI and human agents. OpenClaw handles routine queries automatically while escalating complex issues to your support team. The handover protocol ensures smooth customer experiences during transitions.

Persistent Menu Navigation

Create always-accessible menus for quick navigation. Users can access common actions without typing. Combined with quick replies and buttons, you create intuitive experiences that require minimal user effort.

Cross-Platform Reach

Your Messenger bot works across the Messenger app, Facebook website, Facebook app, and can be embedded on your website via the chat plugin. One integration reaches users across all these touchpoints.

Setup Guide

Create Facebook App

Visit the Meta Developer Portal and create a new app with Messenger capabilities. You'll need a Facebook account and a Facebook Page to connect the bot to.

# 1. Go to https://developers.facebook.com/apps
# 2. Click 'Create App'
# 3. Select 'Business' type (for full Messenger features)
# 4. Fill in app details:
#    - App Name: OpenClaw AI Assistant
#    - Contact Email: your@email.com
#    - Business Account: Select or create one

# 5. Add Messenger product:
#    - Click 'Add Products'
#    - Find 'Messenger' and click 'Set Up'

# You'll receive:
# - App ID
# - App Secret (keep secure!)

Configure Messenger Settings

Set up Messenger-specific configuration including Page connections, access tokens, and webhook subscriptions. Generate Page Access Tokens for each Page the bot will serve.

# In Messenger Settings:

# 1. Generate Access Token:
#    - Click 'Add or Remove Pages'
#    - Connect your Facebook Page
#    - Generate Page Access Token
#    - Copy and save securely

# 2. Configure Webhooks:
#    - Callback URL: https://yourdomain.com/messenger/webhook
#    - Verify Token: your_custom_verify_token
#    - Subscription Fields:
#      - messages
#      - messaging_postbacks
#      - messaging_optins
#      - message_deliveries
#      - message_reads
#      - messaging_handovers

Install Messenger Bridge Module

Add the Messenger bridge to your OpenClaw installation. The bridge handles webhook verification, message processing, and response formatting according to Messenger Platform specifications.

# Using OpenClaw CLI
openclaw install messenger-bridge

# Or manual installation
cd /path/to/openclaw
npm install @openclaw/messenger-bridge

# Verify installation
openclaw plugins list | grep messenger

Configure OpenClaw Connection

Create your Messenger configuration file with credentials and behavior settings. Configure multiple Pages if needed, set up message handling rules, and define response formats.

# config/messenger.yaml
messenger:
  enabled: true
  
  # App credentials
  app_id: "YOUR_APP_ID"
  app_secret: "YOUR_APP_SECRET"
  verify_token: "your_custom_verify_token"
  
  # Page configurations
  pages:
    - page_id: "YOUR_PAGE_ID"
      access_token: "YOUR_PAGE_ACCESS_TOKEN"
      name: "My Business Page"
  
  # Webhook settings
  webhook:
    path: "/messenger/webhook"
    port: 3000
  
  # Response settings
  response:
    typing_indicator: true
    typing_duration: 1000  # milliseconds
    mark_seen: true
    persona_id: null  # Optional: custom bot persona

Set Up Message Templates

Configure Messenger-specific templates for rich responses. Define quick replies, buttons, generic templates, and specialized formats for different use cases.

# config/messenger-templates.yaml
templates:
  # Quick replies
  quick_replies:
    welcome:
      - title: "Get Started"
        payload: "GET_STARTED"
      - title: "Learn More"
        payload: "LEARN_MORE"
      - title: "Contact Support"
        payload: "CONTACT_SUPPORT"
  
  # Button template
  main_menu:
    type: button
    text: "How can I help you today?"
    buttons:
      - type: postback
        title: "Ask a Question"
        payload: "ASK_QUESTION"
      - type: postback
        title: "Browse Products"
        payload: "BROWSE_PRODUCTS"
      - type: web_url
        title: "Visit Website"
        url: "https://yourwebsite.com"
  
  # Generic template (carousel)
  product_carousel:
    type: generic
    elements_limit: 10
    image_aspect_ratio: square

Configure Persistent Menu

Set up the persistent menu that appears at the bottom of the chat. This provides always-available navigation options for users.

# config/messenger-menu.yaml
persistent_menu:
  enabled: true
  
  # Menu structure (up to 3 top-level items)
  items:
    - type: postback
      title: "Main Menu"
      payload: "MAIN_MENU"
    - type: nested
      title: "Help"
      call_to_actions:
        - type: postback
          title: "FAQs"
          payload: "FAQ"
        - type: postback
          title: "Contact Us"
          payload: "CONTACT"
        - type: web_url
          title: "Visit Help Center"
          url: "https://help.yoursite.com"
    - type: postback
      title: "Settings"
      payload: "SETTINGS"
  
  # Disable input for specific scenarios
  composer_input_disabled: false
  
  # Locale-specific menus
  locales:
    es_LA:
      items:
        - type: postback
          title: "Menu Principal"
          payload: "MAIN_MENU"

Configure AI Response Behavior

Set up how OpenClaw AI processes and responds to Messenger conversations. Configure personality, response limits, and special handling for different message types.

# config/messenger-ai.yaml
ai_responses:
  # Personality
  personality: helpful_business_assistant
  tone: professional_friendly
  
  # Response limits
  max_message_length: 2000
  split_long_messages: true
  
  # Message type handling
  handlers:
    text: ai_response
    image: analyze_and_respond
    audio: transcribe_and_respond
    location: contextual_response
    sticker: acknowledge
    attachment: process_and_respond
  
  # Postback handling
  postbacks:
    GET_STARTED: welcome_flow
    MAIN_MENU: show_menu
    FAQ: faq_handler
    CONTACT: human_handover
  
  # Handover configuration
  handover:
    enabled: true
    trigger_phrases:
      - "speak to human"
      - "talk to agent"
      - "customer service"
    handover_app_id: "YOUR_INBOX_APP_ID"

Submit for App Review

Before your bot can message anyone, you need to submit for Meta's App Review. Request the necessary permissions and prepare your app for review.

# Required Permissions for Full Functionality:
# - pages_messaging (basic messaging)
# - pages_messaging_subscriptions (subscription messaging)
# - pages_read_engagement (read page data)
# - pages_manage_metadata (manage page settings)

# App Review Preparation:
# 1. Complete App Dashboard settings
# 2. Add Privacy Policy URL
# 3. Add Terms of Service URL
# 4. Provide detailed usage instructions
# 5. Record screencast demonstrating bot functionality
# 6. Explain each permission request

# Testing before review:
# - Add testers in App Dashboard
# - Testers can interact with unpublished app
# - Test all functionality thoroughly

# Submit in App Dashboard:
# Settings > App Review > Permissions and Features

What You Can Do

Customer Service Automation

Handle common customer inquiries automatically 24/7. Answer FAQs, check order status, process returns, and provide product information. Escalate complex issues to human agents seamlessly. Reduce support costs while improving response times.

E-commerce Assistance

Guide customers through product discovery, answer questions, provide recommendations, and facilitate purchases directly in Messenger. Integrate with Facebook Shops for seamless shopping experiences. Send order confirmations and shipping updates.

Appointment Scheduling

Let customers book appointments, check availability, and manage reservations through conversational AI. Send reminders, handle rescheduling, and reduce no-shows with automated follow-ups. Perfect for service businesses.

Lead Generation

Qualify leads through conversational surveys, collect contact information, and route hot prospects to sales teams. The friendly chat interface increases completion rates compared to traditional forms.

Content Distribution

Deliver personalized content including articles, videos, promotions, and updates. Users subscribe to topics of interest and receive relevant content. Higher engagement than email with instant delivery.

Event Management

Handle event registrations, send confirmations, provide event information, and send reminders. During events, answer attendee questions and facilitate networking. Post-event, gather feedback and share recordings.

Personal AI Assistant

Use OpenClaw through Messenger for personal task management, reminders, information lookup, and daily assistance. The ubiquitous availability of Messenger makes it perfect for always-available AI help.

Restaurant Ordering

Take orders, answer menu questions, handle customizations, and process payments through Messenger. Customers can reorder favorites, check delivery status, and leave reviews - all in chat.

Healthcare Triage

Provide symptom checking, appointment scheduling, medication reminders, and health information. Route urgent cases appropriately while handling routine inquiries automatically. (With proper compliance considerations)

Known Limitations

24-hour messaging window: Can only message users who contacted you in the last 24 hours (without paid messaging)
App Review required: Bots cannot message public users until Meta approves the app
Message tags: Sending messages outside 24-hour window requires approved message tags
Template limits: Generic templates limited to 10 elements, buttons limited to 3 per template
No group messaging: Messenger bots only work in direct conversations, not group chats
Rate limits: 200 API calls per user per hour, with additional platform-wide limits
Privacy restrictions: Limited user data access due to privacy policies
Platform dependency: Subject to Meta's policies which can change with limited notice
Regional restrictions: Some Messenger features not available in all countries
Business verification may be required for certain features and higher messaging volumes
Our team can help you work around these limitations with custom configurations

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Facebook Page to use Messenger integration?

Yes, Messenger bots must be connected to a Facebook Page. The Page acts as your bot's identity on the platform. Users start conversations by messaging your Page, and the bot responds on behalf of that Page. You can create a Page specifically for your bot or connect it to an existing business Page. One app can connect to multiple Pages, each with its own access token and potentially different bot configurations.

What's the 24-hour messaging window and how do I work around it?

Meta restricts bots to a 24-hour messaging window - you can only send messages to users who have messaged you in the last 24 hours. This prevents spam. To message users outside this window, you need to use Message Tags (limited approved categories like shipping updates) or pay for Sponsored Messages. Best practice: encourage users to interact regularly, use subscription messaging for opted-in users, and make initial conversations valuable enough that users return.

How long does App Review take?

App Review typically takes 1-5 business days, but can take longer during high-volume periods or if issues are found. To speed up review: ensure your app is fully functional, provide clear documentation, include demo videos showing all features, respond quickly to any questions from reviewers. You can test with up to 100 testers before review. Plan for review time when scheduling launches.

Can my bot handle payments?

Yes, Messenger supports payments in the US through the Buy Button and payment templates. Users can pay with cards saved to their Facebook account. For other regions or more complex payment flows, you can link to external payment pages. Integrate with Facebook Shops for product catalogs and simplified checkout. Payment features require additional verification and compliance with payment platform policies.

How do I handle users who want to speak to a human?

Implement the Handover Protocol to transfer conversations to human agents. Configure trigger phrases like 'speak to human' or 'customer service'. When triggered, pass conversation control to your inbox app (like Facebook Page Inbox or a third-party tool). The human agent takes over while maintaining full conversation history. When resolved, control returns to the bot. This creates seamless hybrid experiences.

Can I use the same bot for Messenger and Instagram?

Yes, Instagram messaging uses the same Messenger Platform API. Connect your Instagram Professional or Business account to your Facebook Page, then enable Instagram messaging in your app settings. The same OpenClaw configuration can handle both platforms with minimal differences. Note that some features differ between platforms, and Instagram has additional restrictions around automation.

What user information can I access?

Due to privacy policies, you get limited user data: Page-Scoped User ID (PSUID), name, and profile picture (with permission). You cannot get email, phone, or other personal details directly through the API. For additional information, use conversations to ask users directly or link to external forms. Always be transparent about data collection and follow privacy regulations.

How do I test my bot before going live?

Before App Review, add testers in your App Dashboard under Roles. Testers can interact with your unpublished app. Use the Pages Messaging feature in test mode. Messenger's built-in debugging tools help identify issues. Test all conversation flows, edge cases, and error handling. Once satisfied, submit for App Review. After approval, your bot can message any user who starts a conversation.

Can I send promotional messages?

Promotional messages are restricted to users who have opted in to subscription messaging OR within the 24-hour messaging window. Outside these, you can only send non-promotional Message Tags (shipping updates, appointment reminders, etc.). For marketing messages, use Sponsored Messages (paid) or encourage users to opt in to your subscription. Violating these policies can result in messaging restrictions.

How do I handle multiple languages?

OpenClaw can detect user language from their Messenger profile or message content. Configure responses in multiple languages, set up locale-specific persistent menus, and use translation services for real-time translation. Create different conversation flows per language if needed. Messenger provides locale information with user profiles to help route users to appropriate language experiences.

Ready to Reach 1.3 Billion Messenger Users?

Let our team handle the integration. Book a free consultation and we'll deploy OpenClaw on Facebook Messenger so you can meet your customers where they already are.

Book a Free Consultation