diff --git a/docs/cli/channels.md b/docs/cli/channels.md
index f08c553fe..5b3463579 100644
--- a/docs/cli/channels.md
+++ b/docs/cli/channels.md
@@ -40,6 +40,27 @@ moltbot channels login --channel whatsapp
 moltbot channels logout --channel whatsapp
 ```
 
+### JSON mode (programmatic)
+
+For programmatic use (e.g., web dashboards, hosting platforms), use `--json` to get QR data as JSON instead of terminal output:
+
+```bash
+moltbot channels login --channel whatsapp --json --timeout 60000
+```
+
+This outputs two JSON objects:
+1. Initial response with QR data:
+```json
+{"status":"pending","qrDataUrl":"data:image/png;base64,...","message":"Scan this QR...","accountId":"default","channel":"whatsapp"}
+```
+
+2. Final response after scan (or timeout):
+```json
+{"status":"connected","connected":true,"message":"✅ Linked!","accountId":"default","channel":"whatsapp"}
+```
+
+The `qrDataUrl` is a base64-encoded PNG that can be displayed directly in an `<img>` tag.
+
 ## Troubleshooting
 
 - Run `moltbot status --deep` for a broad probe.
diff --git a/src/cli/channel-auth.ts b/src/cli/channel-auth.ts
index f7c9d85ea..210719a72 100644
--- a/src/cli/channel-auth.ts
+++ b/src/cli/channel-auth.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ type ChannelAuthOptions = {
   channel?: string;
   account?: string;
   verbose?: boolean;
+  json?: boolean;
+  timeoutMs?: number;
 };
 
 export async function runChannelLogin(
@@ -21,6 +23,54 @@ export async function runChannelLogin(
     throw new Error(`Unsupported channel: ${channelInput}`);
   }
   const plugin = getChannelPlugin(channelId);
+
+  // JSON mode: use gateway QR login methods for programmatic access
+  if (opts.json) {
+    if (!plugin?.gateway?.loginWithQrStart || !plugin?.gateway?.loginWithQrWait) {
+      throw new Error(`Channel ${channelId} does not support JSON login mode`);
+    }
+    setVerbose(Boolean(opts.verbose));
+    const cfg = loadConfig();
+    const accountId = opts.account?.trim() || resolveChannelDefaultAccountId({ plugin, cfg });
+    const timeoutMs = opts.timeoutMs ?? 60000;
+
+    // Start QR login and get QR data
+    const startResult = await plugin.gateway.loginWithQrStart({
+      accountId,
+      force: false,
+      timeoutMs,
+      verbose: Boolean(opts.verbose),
+    });
+
+    // Output QR data as JSON
+    const output = {
+      status: "pending",
+      qrDataUrl: startResult.qrDataUrl ?? null,
+      message: startResult.message,
+      accountId,
+      channel: channelId,
+    };
+    runtime.log(JSON.stringify(output));
+
+    // Wait for connection
+    const waitResult = await plugin.gateway.loginWithQrWait({
+      accountId,
+      timeoutMs,
+    });
+
+    // Output final result
+    const finalOutput = {
+      status: waitResult.connected ? "connected" : "failed",
+      connected: waitResult.connected,
+      message: waitResult.message,
+      accountId,
+      channel: channelId,
+    };
+    runtime.log(JSON.stringify(finalOutput));
+    return;
+  }
+
+  // Standard interactive mode
   if (!plugin?.auth?.login) {
     throw new Error(`Channel ${channelId} does not support login`);
   }
diff --git a/src/cli/channels-cli.ts b/src/cli/channels-cli.ts
index 6d90ae935..0f32b1690 100644
--- a/src/cli/channels-cli.ts
+++ b/src/cli/channels-cli.ts
@@ -215,6 +215,8 @@ export function registerChannelsCli(program: Command) {
     .option("--channel <channel>", "Channel alias (default: whatsapp)")
     .option("--account <id>", "Account id (accountId)")
     .option("--verbose", "Verbose connection logs", false)
+    .option("--json", "Output QR data as JSON (for programmatic use)", false)
+    .option("--timeout <ms>", "Timeout for QR generation in ms", "60000")
     .action(async (opts) => {
       await runChannelsCommandWithDanger(async () => {
         await runChannelLogin(
@@ -222,6 +224,8 @@ export function registerChannelsCli(program: Command) {
             channel: opts.channel as string | undefined,
             account: opts.account as string | undefined,
             verbose: Boolean(opts.verbose),
+            json: Boolean(opts.json),
+            timeoutMs: parseInt(String(opts.timeout), 10) || 60000,
           },
           defaultRuntime,
         );