Messages
Connect Telegram and WhatsApp to Matrix OS with private, room-level AI controls.
Messages brings Telegram and WhatsApp into Matrix OS through a private Matrix backbone running on your Matrix computer. Conversations appear in the Messages app, and Hermes starts with no access to any room until you grant it.
Supported networks
Telegram
Connects via API credentials. Complete the login flow in Matrix OS to start syncing conversations.
Connects by scanning a QR code. May require relinking if the paired-device session expires or a stale Matrix computer restore is detected.
Text messages sync bidirectionally. Edits, deletes, reactions, receipts, typing indicators, stickers, voice notes, and full historical imports are deferred to a later phase.
Privacy model
Messages is default-deny. Connecting an account does not let Hermes read or reply to any conversation. Each room has its own access controls:
- Read — Hermes receives new messages in the room. If mention-only is also enabled, Hermes only receives messages that explicitly address Matrix OS.
- Reply — Hermes can send a message into the room, subject to a final permission check at send time.
- Automation — automation rules can run for this room. Without this flag, matching rules are skipped even if read is enabled.
Revoking any permission cancels queued work and prevents new delivery. Draft replies still waiting for approval remain visible in Messages until you approve or cancel them.
Hermes and Messages
Hermes can do several things with messages from permitted rooms:
- Summarize or classify incoming messages (read permission)
- Generate draft replies (read + reply permission)
- Run automation rules that create tasks or draft replies (automation permission)
See Hermes for model setup and how Hermes is enabled.
Hermes needs a model configured
Hermes uses its configured model to generate summaries, drafts, and automation responses. Until you pick a model and add its provider credential, Hermes cannot act on any room — even if room-level permissions are enabled. See Hermes for setup.
Automations
Automation rules let you act on messages without opening the app. A rule specifies a trigger (text match) and an action (create a task or draft a reply). Rules run only in rooms where automation permission is enabled.
If an automation would send a reply into a room that lacks reply permission, Matrix OS creates a draft or approval request instead of sending.
Recovery
Messaging state is part of the owner-controlled Matrix computer backup lifecycle. Telegram and Matrix conversation mappings restore with the backup. WhatsApp may require relinking after a stale restore or when the paired-device session is no longer recognized.
Current rollout status
Messages is built on Synapse, mautrix-telegram, and mautrix-whatsapp. Real account pairing is still a production validation gate before broad enablement.
How is this guide?