Claude Code Channels
Claude Code Channels is a research preview feature that enables real-time event pushing into active Claude Code sessions using the Model Context Protocol (MCP). This functionality allows developers to integrate external systems and services directly with their Claude Code environment, creating automated workflows that respond to events as they happen.
Key Features
- Real-time Event Integration: Push messages, alerts, and webhooks from external systems into running Claude Code sessions
- Two-way Communication: Claude can both receive events and respond back through the same channel
- Platform Support: Includes official plugins for Telegram and Discord, with a fakechat demo for local testing
- Security Controls: Sender allowlists, pairing mechanisms, and enterprise-level access controls
- Research Preview: Currently available with Claude Code v2.1.80+ and claude.ai authentication
Use Cases
- CI/CD Integration: Forward CI results and deployment status to Claude for automated responses
- Monitoring Alerts: Push system monitoring events so Claude can react to infrastructure issues
- Chat Bridges: Connect Claude to messaging platforms like Telegram and Discord for conversational interfaces
- Webhook Processing: Handle incoming webhooks from various services and trigger Claude actions
- Background Automation: Run Claude in persistent sessions to continuously monitor and respond to events
Technical Requirements
- Requires Bun runtime for plugin execution
- Claude Code v2.1.80 or later
- claude.ai account authentication (console/API key not supported)
- Team/Enterprise organizations need explicit admin enablement
Getting Started
The feature includes a fakechat demo for local testing, plus official plugins for Telegram and Discord. Channels operate only while sessions are active, making them ideal for background processes or persistent terminal setups where Claude can monitor and react to events autonomously.
