channels.whatsapp.enabled unknown key

[hard plover]

After upgrading to 2026.2.22-2 and it looks like move configuration for whatsapp to plugins, I pick up the unknown key error.
The Doctor doesn't fix it, just wondering proper way to migrate the settings?

[drifting prism]

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[limber ridge]

i am getting the same error

set your whatsapp in terminal with openclaw config in channels section

then restart the gateway it will connect

[hard plover]

It’s connecting I just see that message. Will config fix the openclaw.json? To set up the configuration in the new location?

[limber ridge]

Yes config will fix openclaw.jsob

[spare jackal]

channels.whatsapp.enabled is just not a valid config key anymore (config is now .strict()), so you’ll get “unknown key” until you remove it.

WhatsApp didn’t move to a different top-level config namespace — it’s still configured under channels.whatsapp, but the channel no longer has a root enabled flag. It “starts” when there’s a linked WhatsApp Web session (and you can effectively disable it via policy, or per-account enabled).

What to change in ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json (JSON5)

Before (old / now invalid):

{
  channels: {
    whatsapp: {
      enabled: true, // ❌ remove this
    },
  },
}

After (typical minimal):

{
  channels: {
    whatsapp: {
      dmPolicy: "pairing",          // or "allowlist"
      allowFrom: ["[phone]"],  // your number(s)
      groupPolicy: "allowlist",
      groupAllowFrom: ["[phone]"],
    },
  },
}

If you’re using multi-account WhatsApp, the only enabled that exists is per-account:

{
  channels: {
    whatsapp: {
      accounts: {
        default: { enabled: true },
        work: { enabled: false },
      },
    },
  },
}

After editing

• restart (or let reload do it, but restart is simplest):

  openclaw gateway restart

• then re-check:

  openclaw channels status
  

Docs:

• WhatsApp channel config: https://docs.openclaw.ai/channels/whatsapp
• Config reference (WhatsApp section): https://docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/configuration-reference#whatsapp

If you paste your current channels.whatsapp { ... } block (redact phone numbers), I can point out any other keys that got renamed/removed in 2026.2.22-2.