---
title: "How to configure channels for the Start node"
description: "Instructions for configuring the Channels trigger for the Start node in Scenario Builder — Telegram, Viber, WhatsApp, Widget, etc."
---

# How to configure channels for the Start node?

The **Channels** trigger runs the section when a user message arrives through a connected channel: Telegram, Viber, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Widget, Custom channel, etc.

## When you need it

- Bot in a messenger (Telegram, Viber, WhatsApp).
- Using the widget on the website.
- Integration with Facebook, Instagram, E-Chat, Zendesk, Email.

## What to know

- **Channel** — a source of messages (messenger, widget, integration). Each channel requires a separate connection (tokens, webhook, OAuth).
- **Two places to configure** — channel connections can be configured **both in the Start node and in process (bot) settings**. Both options change the same configuration — choose whichever is more convenient.
  - **Start node** — Node Inspector when the "Channels" trigger is selected: choose channels, enter tokens, connect directly in the scenario editor.
  - **Process settings** — Process Library → click on bot → "Channels" section (or Settings → Bots → select bot).
- **Connection status** — green indicator means the channel is connected; red means enter token or complete OAuth.

## Available channels

### Messengers

- **Telegram** — bot token
- **Viber** — token, bot name
- **Facebook** — OAuth authorization
- **Instagram** — OAuth authorization

### Other channels

- **WhatsApp** — WhatsApp Business API
- **WhatsApp Maytapi** — (if enabled on the instance)
- **Custom Channel** — custom webhook
- **Zendesk** — Zendesk integration
- **E-Chat** — E-Chat integration
- **Mobile Widget** — mobile widget
- **Widget** — web widget

### Integrations

- **eSputnik** — email marketing
- **Email** — Gmail/Outlook (OAuth or settings-based)

## Before you start

- [x] You are signed in with integrator or administrator rights.
- [x] You have a section with a Start node added.
- [x] A bot is created — channels are configured for a specific bot.

## Steps

### 1. Select Channels trigger type

1. Select the Start node on the canvas.
2. In Node Inspector, in the **Trigger type** field, select **Channels**.

### 2. Add channels

1. Click **Select channels** or **Add channel**.
2. In the modal, select the channels you need: Telegram, Viber, WhatsApp, Widget, etc.
3. Channels are grouped by category: Messengers, Channels, Integrations.

### 3. Configure connection for each channel

Connection can be configured **directly in Node Inspector** (right panel) or in **process settings** — data is synchronized.

**In the Start node (Node Inspector):**
- After selecting a channel, a configuration block appears for each channel.
- Enter the token, complete OAuth, or configure other parameters.
- Click the connect button — green indicator confirms success.

**Telegram, Viber:**
- Enter the bot token. For Viber — also add the bot name.
- See: [Connect Telegram](/en/channels/how-to/connect-telegram.md), [Connect Viber](/en/channels/how-to/connect-viber.md).

**Facebook, Instagram:**
- Complete OAuth authorization via the connect button.
- See: [Connect Facebook Messenger and Instagram](/en/channels/how-to/connect-facebook-messenger-instagram.md).

**WhatsApp:**
- Enter the WhatsApp Business API token.
- See: [Connect WhatsApp](/en/channels/how-to/connect-whatsapp.md), [Connect WhatsApp via Maytapi](/en/channels/how-to/connect-whatsapp-maytapi.md).

**Widget:**
- Configure the widget in the relevant section (CORS, parameters).
- See: [Connect widget to website](/en/channels/how-to/widget/setup-widget-on-website.md), [Configure widget](/en/channels/how-to/widget/configure-widget-settings.md).

**Email:**
- Choose connection method: from settings (Mailgun) or OAuth (Gmail/Outlook).
- See: [Connect Gmail](/en/channels/how-to/connect-gmail.md), [Connect Outlook](/en/channels/how-to/connect-outlook.md).

### 4. Check connection status

- Green indicator next to the channel name — channel is connected.
- Red indicator — enter token or complete authorization.

### 5. Configure launch command (optional)

For Telegram you can use the `/start` command — it is usually configured in the scenario (node that reacts to text). Detailed channel configuration (webhook URL, commands) is in the bot settings section.

## What happens next

The section runs on every user message through the selected channels. If multiple channels are selected, the section reacts to messages from any of them.

## How to verify it works

- Check the green indicator for each channel.
- Send a test message to the bot in the selected messenger.
- Verify token validity — expired tokens can cause errors.

## Common issues

| Problem | Solution |
|---------|----------|
| Channel not receiving messages | Check connection status (green indicator), token validity, messenger webhook settings. |
| Red indicator | Enter token or complete OAuth. Reload the page after connecting. |
| Facebook/Instagram — won't connect | Allow pop-ups for OAuth. Check settings in Facebook Developer. |

## Related materials

**Start node:**
- [What is the Start node](/en/scenariobuilder/explanation/what-is-start-node.md)
- [Configure Start node triggers](/en/scenariobuilder/how-to/configure-start-node-triggers.md)
- [Create scenario](/en/scenariobuilder/how-to/create-scenario.md)

**Channel connection (alternative path):**
- [Configure bot](/en/settings/how-to/configure-bot.md) — channels in process settings
- [Channels hub](/en/channels/integrator-hub.md) — index of instructions for each channel (Telegram, Viber, WhatsApp, Widget, etc.)