Matrix (plugin)
Matrix is an open, decentralized messaging protocol. Clawdia connects as a Matrix user on any homeserver, so you need a Matrix account for the bot. Once it is logged in, you can DM the bot directly or invite it to rooms (Matrix “groups”). Beeper is a valid client option too, but it requires E2EE to be enabled. Status: supported via plugin (matrix-bot-sdk). Direct messages, rooms, threads, media, reactions, polls (send + poll-start as text), location, and E2EE (with crypto support).Plugin required
Matrix ships as a plugin and is not bundled with the core install. Install via CLI (npm registry):Setup
-
Install the Matrix plugin:
- From npm:
clawdia plugins install @clawdia/matrix - From a local checkout:
clawdia plugins install ./extensions/matrix
- From npm:
-
Create a Matrix account on a homeserver:
- Browse hosting options at https://matrix.org/ecosystem/hosting/
- Or host it yourself.
-
Get an access token for the bot account:
- Use the Matrix login API with
curlat your home server:
- Replace
matrix.example.orgwith your homeserver URL. - Or set
channels.matrix.userId+channels.matrix.password: Clawdia calls the same login endpoint, stores the access token in~/.clawdia/credentials/matrix/credentials.json, and reuses it on next start.
- Use the Matrix login API with
-
Configure credentials:
- Env:
MATRIX_HOMESERVER,MATRIX_ACCESS_TOKEN(orMATRIX_USER_ID+MATRIX_PASSWORD) - Or config:
channels.matrix.* - If both are set, config takes precedence.
- With access token: user ID is fetched automatically via
/whoami. - When set,
channels.matrix.userIdshould be the full Matrix ID (example:@bot:example.org).
- Env:
- Restart the gateway (or finish onboarding).
-
Start a DM with the bot or invite it to a room from any Matrix client
(Element, Beeper, etc.; see https://matrix.org/ecosystem/clients/). Beeper requires E2EE,
so set
channels.matrix.encryption: trueand verify the device.
Encryption (E2EE)
End-to-end encryption is supported via the Rust crypto SDK. Enable withchannels.matrix.encryption: true:
- If the crypto module loads, encrypted rooms are decrypted automatically.
- Outbound media is encrypted when sending to encrypted rooms.
- On first connection, Clawdia requests device verification from your other sessions.
- Verify the device in another Matrix client (Element, etc.) to enable key sharing.
- If the crypto module cannot be loaded, E2EE is disabled and encrypted rooms will not decrypt; Clawdia logs a warning.
- If you see missing crypto module errors (for example,
@matrix-org/matrix-sdk-crypto-nodejs-*), allow build scripts for@matrix-org/matrix-sdk-crypto-nodejsand runpnpm rebuild @matrix-org/matrix-sdk-crypto-nodejsor fetch the binary withnode node_modules/@matrix-org/matrix-sdk-crypto-nodejs/download-lib.js.
~/.clawdia/matrix/accounts/<account>/<homeserver>__<user>/<token-hash>/crypto/
(SQLite database). Sync state lives alongside it in bot-storage.json.
If the access token (device) changes, a new store is created and the bot must be
re-verified for encrypted rooms.
Device verification:
When E2EE is enabled, the bot will request verification from your other sessions on startup.
Open Element (or another client) and approve the verification request to establish trust.
Once verified, the bot can decrypt messages in encrypted rooms.
Routing model
- Replies always go back to Matrix.
- DMs share the agent’s main session; rooms map to group sessions.
Access control (DMs)
- Default:
channels.matrix.dm.policy = "pairing". Unknown senders get a pairing code. - Approve via:
clawdia pairing list matrixclawdia pairing approve matrix <CODE>
- Public DMs:
channels.matrix.dm.policy="open"pluschannels.matrix.dm.allowFrom=["*"]. channels.matrix.dm.allowFromaccepts user IDs or display names. The wizard resolves display names to user IDs when directory search is available.
Rooms (groups)
- Default:
channels.matrix.groupPolicy = "allowlist"(mention-gated). Usechannels.defaults.groupPolicyto override the default when unset. - Allowlist rooms with
channels.matrix.groups(room IDs, aliases, or names):
requireMention: falseenables auto-reply in that room.groups."*"can set defaults for mention gating across rooms.groupAllowFromrestricts which senders can trigger the bot in rooms (optional).- Per-room
usersallowlists can further restrict senders inside a specific room. - The configure wizard prompts for room allowlists (room IDs, aliases, or names) and resolves names when possible.
- On startup, Clawdia resolves room/user names in allowlists to IDs and logs the mapping; unresolved entries are kept as typed.
- Invites are auto-joined by default; control with
channels.matrix.autoJoinandchannels.matrix.autoJoinAllowlist. - To allow no rooms, set
channels.matrix.groupPolicy: "disabled"(or keep an empty allowlist). - Legacy key:
channels.matrix.rooms(same shape asgroups).
Threads
- Reply threading is supported.
channels.matrix.threadRepliescontrols whether replies stay in threads:off,inbound(default),always
channels.matrix.replyToModecontrols reply-to metadata when not replying in a thread:off(default),first,all
Capabilities
| Feature | Status |
|---|---|
| Direct messages | ✅ Supported |
| Rooms | ✅ Supported |
| Threads | ✅ Supported |
| Media | ✅ Supported |
| E2EE | ✅ Supported (crypto module required) |
| Reactions | ✅ Supported (send/read via tools) |
| Polls | ✅ Send supported; inbound poll starts are converted to text (responses/ends ignored) |
| Location | ✅ Supported (geo URI; altitude ignored) |
| Native commands | ✅ Supported |
Configuration reference (Matrix)
Full configuration: Configuration Provider options:channels.matrix.enabled: enable/disable channel startup.channels.matrix.homeserver: homeserver URL.channels.matrix.userId: Matrix user ID (optional with access token).channels.matrix.accessToken: access token.channels.matrix.password: password for login (token stored).channels.matrix.deviceName: device display name.channels.matrix.encryption: enable E2EE (default: false).channels.matrix.initialSyncLimit: initial sync limit.channels.matrix.threadReplies:off | inbound | always(default: inbound).channels.matrix.textChunkLimit: outbound text chunk size (chars).channels.matrix.chunkMode:length(default) ornewlineto split on newlines before length chunking.channels.matrix.dm.policy:pairing | allowlist | open | disabled(default: pairing).channels.matrix.dm.allowFrom: DM allowlist (user IDs or display names).openrequires"*". The wizard resolves names to IDs when possible.channels.matrix.groupPolicy:allowlist | open | disabled(default: allowlist).channels.matrix.groupAllowFrom: allowlisted senders for group messages.channels.matrix.allowlistOnly: force allowlist rules for DMs + rooms.channels.matrix.groups: group allowlist + per-room settings map.channels.matrix.rooms: legacy group allowlist/config.channels.matrix.replyToMode: reply-to mode for threads/tags.channels.matrix.mediaMaxMb: inbound/outbound media cap (MB).channels.matrix.autoJoin: invite handling (always | allowlist | off, default: always).channels.matrix.autoJoinAllowlist: allowed room IDs/aliases for auto-join.channels.matrix.actions: per-action tool gating (reactions/messages/pins/memberInfo/channelInfo).
