instagram

name	instagram
description	Control Instagram via instagram-cli — browse feed, send/read DMs, view and post stories, upload content, manage multiple accounts. Use when the user mentions Instagram, asks to check/post DMs, view stories, upload a photo/reel, or manage Instagram accounts.
metadata	{"openclaw":{"emoji":"📸","os":["darwin","linux"],"requires":{"bins":["instagram-cli"]}}}

Instagram Skill (OpenClaw)

Full Instagram control via instagram-cli — DMs, feed, stories, posts, multi-account support.

Installation

brew tap supreme-gg-gg/tap
brew install instagram-cli

Or via npm:

npm install -g @i7m/instagram-cli

Authentication

Login (first time)

instagram-cli auth login --username <username>
# Follow prompts for password and 2FA if enabled

Multi-Account Setup

# Login to multiple accounts
instagram-cli auth login --username account1
instagram-cli auth login --username account2

# Check current account
instagram-cli auth whoami

# Switch accounts
instagram-cli auth switch <username>

# List saved accounts
instagram-cli auth list

Sessions are saved locally at ~/.instagram-cli/

Core Commands

Feed

# View your feed
instagram-cli feed

# View specific user's posts
instagram-cli feed <username>

Stories

# View stories from people you follow
instagram-cli stories

Notifications

# View notifications (inbox, followers, mentions)
instagram-cli notify

Chat/DMs (TUI)

# Open chat interface
instagram-cli chat

# Open chat with specific user
instagram-cli chat -u <username>

# Chat with custom title
instagram-cli chat -t "Work DMs"

Chat Commands (inside TUI)

:select              # Select message for actions
:react <emoji>       # React to selected message
:reply <text>        # Reply to selected message
:unsend              # Unsend selected message
:upload <path>       # Upload image/video
:download <path>     # Download selected media
:k / :j              # Navigate up/down
:K / :J              # Jump to top/bottom

Headless Operations

For automation, use the Python client which has more scripting capabilities:

pip install instagram-cli

The Python client uses the instagram command (not instagram-cli).

Multi-Account Automation Pattern

For running multiple bots/accounts:

# Script to post to multiple accounts
for account in account1 account2 account3; do
  instagram-cli auth switch $account
  # perform actions
done

Or use --username flag:

instagram-cli feed --username account1
instagram-cli feed --username account2

Configuration

# View all config
instagram-cli config

# Set config value
instagram-cli config <key> <value>

# Edit config file directly
instagram-cli config edit

# Config location: ~/.instagram-cli/config.ts.yaml

Common Config Options

Key	Default	Description
image.protocol	halfBlock	Image rendering: ascii, halfBlock, braille, kitty, iterm2, sixel
feed.feedType	list	Feed layout: timeline, list

Agent Integration

Reading DMs

# For agents, use the Python client for non-interactive access
pip install instagrapi

# Then use Python scripting for automation
python3 -c "
from instagrapi import Client
cl = Client()
cl.load_settings('~/.instagram-cli/session.json')  # or login
threads = cl.direct_threads()
for t in threads[:5]:
    print(t.thread_title, t.messages[0].text if t.messages else '')
"

Sending DMs Programmatically

python3 -c "
from instagrapi import Client
cl = Client()
cl.login('username', 'password')
cl.direct_send('Hello!', user_ids=[cl.user_id_from_username('target_user')])
"

Posting Content

python3 -c "
from instagrapi import Client
cl = Client()
cl.login('username', 'password')
cl.photo_upload('path/to/photo.jpg', 'Caption here')
"

Multi-Bot Architecture

For running multiple Instagram bots:

~/.instagram-cli/
├── sessions/
│   ├── bot1/
│   │   └── session.json
│   ├── bot2/
│   │   └── session.json
│   └── bot3/
│       └── session.json

Each bot can have its own session directory. Use environment variables or config to point to different sessions.

Limitations & Warnings

⚠️ Account Risk: Using unofficial APIs may violate Instagram ToS. Use responsibly.

• Don't spam or automate aggressively
• Add delays between actions
• Use for personal productivity, not mass automation
• Instagram may require re-authentication periodically

Troubleshooting

Login Issues

# Clear session and re-login
instagram-cli auth logout
instagram-cli auth login --username <username>

2FA Required

The CLI supports 2FA — you'll be prompted to enter the code during login.

Rate Limiting

If you hit rate limits, wait a few hours before trying again. Don't retry aggressively.

See Also

• instagram-cli GitHub
• instagrapi Python library (for deeper automation)