---
summary: "Tlon/Urbit support status, capabilities, and configuration"
read_when:
  - Working on Tlon/Urbit channel features
---
# Tlon (plugin)

Tlon is a decentralized messenger built on Urbit. Clawdbot connects to your Urbit ship and can
respond to DMs and group chat messages. Group replies require an @ mention by default and can
be further restricted via allowlists.

Status: supported via plugin. DMs, group mentions, thread replies, and text-only media fallback
(URL appended to caption). Reactions, polls, and native media uploads are not supported.

## Plugin setup

Tlon is bundled with Clawdbot. Its dependencies (`@urbit/http-api`, `@urbit/aura`) are
automatically installed on first load when you enable the plugin.

To enable, add `tlon` to your plugins allow list and configure the channel:

```json5
{
  plugins: {
    allow: ["tlon"]
  },
  channels: {
    tlon: {
      enabled: true,
      // ... config below
    }
  }
}
```

Details: [Plugins](/plugin)

## Setup

1) Gather your ship URL and login code.
2) Add `tlon` to your plugins allow list.
3) Configure `channels.tlon`.
4) Restart the gateway (dependencies install automatically on first load).
5) DM the bot or mention it in a group channel.

Minimal config (single account):

```json5
{
  channels: {
    tlon: {
      enabled: true,
      ship: "~sampel-palnet",
      url: "https://your-ship-host",
      code: "lidlut-tabwed-pillex-ridrup"
    }
  }
}
```

## Group channels

Auto-discovery is enabled by default. You can also pin channels manually:

```json5
{
  channels: {
    tlon: {
      groupChannels: [
        "chat/~host-ship/general",
        "chat/~host-ship/support"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

Disable auto-discovery:

```json5
{
  channels: {
    tlon: {
      autoDiscoverChannels: false
    }
  }
}
```

## Access control

DM allowlist (empty = allow all):

```json5
{
  channels: {
    tlon: {
      dmAllowlist: ["~zod", "~nec"]
    }
  }
}
```

Group authorization (restricted by default):

```json5
{
  channels: {
    tlon: {
      defaultAuthorizedShips: ["~zod"],
      authorization: {
        channelRules: {
          "chat/~host-ship/general": {
            mode: "restricted",
            allowedShips: ["~zod", "~nec"]
          },
          "chat/~host-ship/announcements": {
            mode: "open"
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}
```

## Delivery targets (CLI/cron)

Use these with `clawdbot message send` or cron delivery:

- DM: `~sampel-palnet` or `dm/~sampel-palnet`
- Group: `chat/~host-ship/channel` or `group:~host-ship/channel`

## Notes

- Group replies require a mention (e.g. `~your-bot-ship`) to respond.
- Thread replies: if the inbound message is in a thread, Clawdbot replies in-thread.
- Media: `sendMedia` falls back to text + URL (no native upload).