customize

name	customize
description	Add new capabilities or modify MatClaw behavior. Use when user wants to add channels (Telegram, Slack, email input), change triggers, add integrations, modify the router, or make any other customizations. This is an interactive skill that asks questions to understand what the user wants.

MatClaw 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

File	Purpose
src/index.ts	Orchestrator: state, message loop, agent invocation
src/channels/whatsapp.ts	WhatsApp connection, auth, send/receive
src/ipc.ts	IPC watcher and task processing
src/router.ts	Message formatting and outbound routing
src/types.ts	TypeScript interfaces (includes Channel)
src/config.ts	Assistant name, trigger pattern, directories
src/db.ts	Database initialization and queries
src/whatsapp-auth.ts	Standalone WhatsApp authentication script
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:

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
# macOS:
launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.matclaw.plist
launchctl load ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.matclaw.plist
# Linux:
# systemctl --user restart matclaw

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