Google Messages Browser Skill#

Automate SMS/RCS messaging via messages.google.com using the browser tool.

Overview#

Google Messages for Web allows you to send/receive texts from your Android phone via browser. This skill automates that interface.

Requirements:

• Android phone with Google Messages app
• Phone and computer on same network (for initial QR pairing)
• Browser profile with persistent session (use openclaw or your preferred profile)

Note: Replace profile=openclaw in examples with your preferred browser profile if different.

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Quick Reference#

ActionCommandOpen pairing pagebrowser action=open profile=openclaw targetUrl="https://messages.google.com/web/authentication"Check sessionbrowser action=snapshot profile=openclaw — look for conversation list vs QR codeTake screenshotbrowser action=screenshot profile=openclaw

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Initial Setup (QR Pairing)#

First-time setup requires scanning a QR code:

1. Open Google Messages Web text

   browser action=open profile=openclaw targetUrl="https://messages.google.com/web/authentication"
   
   

2. Screenshot the QR code and share with user text

   browser action=screenshot profile=openclaw
   
   

3. User scans with phone:

   • Open Google Messages app on Android
   • Tap ⋮ menu → "Device pairing" → "QR code scanner"
   • Scan the QR code

4. Verify connection — snapshot should show conversation list, not QR code

Important: Enable "Remember this computer" to persist the session.

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Sending Messages#

1. Navigate to conversations text

   browser action=navigate profile=openclaw targetUrl="https://messages.google.com/web/conversations"
   
   

2. Take snapshot and find conversation text

   browser action=snapshot profile=openclaw
   
   

   Look for the contact in the conversation list, note the ref.

3. Click conversation text

   browser action=act profile=openclaw request={"kind": "click", "ref": "<ref>"}
   
   

4. Type message (find textarea ref from snapshot) text

   browser action=act profile=openclaw request={"kind": "type", "ref": "<input_ref>", "text": "Your message"}
   
   

5. Click send (find send button ref) text

   browser action=act profile=openclaw request={"kind": "click", "ref": "<send_ref>"}
   
   

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Receiving Messages (Real-time Notifications)#

This skill includes a webhook system for real-time incoming SMS notifications.

Components#

1. sms-webhook-server.js — receives notifications, forwards to OpenClaw channels
2. sms-observer.js — browser script that watches for new messages

Setup#

1. Set environment variables: bash

   export SMS_NOTIFICATION_TARGET="telegram:YOUR_CHAT_ID"
   export SMS_NOTIFICATION_CHANNEL="telegram"
   
   

2. Start webhook server: bash

   node <skill>/sms-webhook-server.js
   
   

3. Inject observer into browser (see references/observer-injection.md)

Systemd Service (Persistent)#

bash

cp <skill>/systemd/google-messages-webhook.service ~/.config/systemd/user/
# Edit service file: set SMS_NOTIFICATION_TARGET in Environment=
systemctl --user daemon-reload
systemctl --user enable --now google-messages-webhook

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Reading Messages#

See references/snippets.md for JavaScript snippets to:

• Get recent conversations
• Get messages in current conversation
• Check session status

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Troubleshooting#

ProblemSolutionQR code shownSession expired, re-pairElements not foundGoogle updated UI, check snapshot for new selectorsSend button disabledMessage input empty or phone disconnectedObserver not detectingCheck browser console for [SMS Observer] logsWebhook not receivingVerify server running: curl http://127.0.0.1:19888/health

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Selectors Reference#

Google Messages uses Angular components. These may change with updates.

ElementSelectorConversation listmws-conversations-listConversation itemmws-conversation-list-itemMessage inputtextarea[aria-label*="message"]Send buttonbutton[aria-label*="Send"]QR codemw-qr-code

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Limitations#

• Phone must be online (messages sync through phone)
• Browser tab must stay open for notifications
• Session expires after ~14 days of inactivity
• Observer lost on page reload (re-inject needed)

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Security#

• Webhook listens on localhost only (127.0.0.1)
• No credentials stored (session in browser cookies)
• QR pairing links to your phone — treat as sensitive

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License#

Apache-2.0