NanoClaw Customization

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

Workflow

• Understand the request - Ask clarifying questions

• Plan the changes - Identify files to modify

• Implement - Make changes directly to the code

• Test guidance - Tell user how to verify

Key Files

File Purpose

src/config.ts

Assistant name, trigger pattern, directories

src/index.ts

Message routing, WhatsApp connection, agent invocation

src/db.ts

Database initialization and queries

src/types.ts

TypeScript interfaces

src/whatsapp-auth.ts

Standalone WhatsApp authentication script

.mcp.json

MCP server configuration (reference)

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:

• Find/add MCP server for the channel

• Add connection and message handling in src/index.ts

• Store messages in the database (update src/db.ts if needed)

• Ensure responses route back to correct channel

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:

• Add MCP server to the mcpServers config in src/index.ts

• Add tools to allowedTools array

• Document 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:

• Add command handling in processMessage() in src/index.ts

• Check for the command before the trigger pattern check

Changing Deployment

Questions to ask:

• Target platform? (Linux server, Docker, different Mac)

• Service manager? (systemd, Docker, supervisord)

Implementation:

• Create appropriate service files

• Update paths in config

• 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"

• Ask: "Should Telegram use the same @Andy trigger, or a different one?"

• Ask: "Should Telegram messages create separate conversation contexts, or share with WhatsApp groups?"

• Find Telegram MCP or library

• Add connection handling in index.ts

• Update message storage in db.ts

• Tell user how to authenticate and test