Instagram#

Manage an Instagram Business or Creator account via the Instagram Graph API. Publish posts and carousels, retrieve media and insights, moderate comments, send direct messages, and monitor story content.

This skill uses ClawLink for hosted connection flows and credentials so you do not need to configure Instagram API access yourself.

Setup in 3 Steps#

Step 1: InstallStep 2: Pair AccountStep 3: Connect Instagram_Connect Instagram from the ClawLink dashboard_Run the install command in OpenClawSign in and approve the deviceOpen the dashboard and connect Instagram

No Account Needed: Public Instagram Data#

Read any public Instagram profile, post, reel or hashtag, see followers and comments, and get transcripts of reels, without connecting an Instagram account. These tools work as soon as the plugin is paired: there is nothing to connect, and each call is paid from ClawLink credit (most cost a fraction of a cent; new accounts get $0.50 free).

ToolWhat it returnsPriceinstagramdata_user_profilePublic Instagram profile by username: follower, following and post counts, bio, category, verified flag$0.00282instagramdata_user_postsRecent public posts of an Instagram account with likes, comments and captions$0.00282instagramdata_user_reelsRecent public reels of an Instagram account with play counts$0.00282instagramdata_post_commentsComments on an Instagram post or reel$0.003instagramdata_hashtag_postsPublic posts under an Instagram hashtag$0.00282instagramdata_transcriptSpoken-word transcript of an Instagram reel or video post$0.00282

Use the connected-account tools above for the user's own Instagram; use these for anyone else's public content. More: Creator Scout, Transcribe Any Video.

How It Works#

text

┌─────────────────┐     ┌──────────────┐     ┌──────────────────┐
│   OpenClaw      │────▶│   ClawLink   │────▶│ Instagram Graph  │
│   (User Chat)   │     │   (OAuth)    │     │   (API v22)     │
└─────────────────┘     └──────────────┘     └──────────────────┘
         │                       │                       │
         │  1. Install Plugin  │                       │
         │  2. Pair Device   │                       │
         │  3. Connect IG    │                       │
         │                   │  4. Secure Token      │
         │                   │  5. Proxy Requests    │
         │                   │                       │
         ▼                   ▼                       ▼
   ┌──────────┐      ┌──────────┐           ┌──────────┐
   │  SKILL   │      │ Dashboard│           │ Instagram│
   │  File    │      │ Auth     │           │ Business │
   └──────────┘      └──────────┘           └──────────┘

Install#

Install the verified ClawLink plugin from ClawHub. After the user confirms, complete the full setup so ClawLink tools are visible in the next OpenClaw chat.

bash

openclaw plugins install clawhub:clawlink-plugin
openclaw config set tools.alsoAllow '["clawlink-plugin"]' --strict-json
openclaw gateway restart

Then tell the user: "OpenClaw has been restarted. Send /new as a standalone message to start a fresh chat, then ask for Instagram again."

Quick Start#

bash

# Get your Instagram account info
clawlink_call_tool --tool "instagram_get_user_info" --params '{}'

# List recent media posts
clawlink_call_tool --tool "instagram_get_ig_user_media" --params '{}'

# Get insights on a specific post
clawlink_call_tool --tool "instagram_get_ig_media_insights" --params '{"media_id": "MEDIA_ID"}'

Authentication#

All Instagram tool calls are authenticated automatically by ClawLink using the user's connected Instagram Business or Creator account.

No API key is required in chat. ClawLink stores the OAuth token securely and injects it into every Instagram Graph API request on the user's behalf.

Getting Connected#

1. Install the ClawLink plugin (see Install above).
2. Pair the plugin with clawlink_begin_pairing if it is not configured yet.
3. Open https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=instagram and connect Instagram (requires a Business or Creator account).
4. Call clawlink_list_integrations to verify the connection is active.

Connection Management#

List Connections#

bash

clawlink_list_integrations

Response: Returns all connected integrations. Look for instagram in the list.

Verify Connection#

bash

clawlink_list_tools --integration instagram

Response: Returns the live tool catalog for Instagram.

Reconnect#

If Instagram tools are missing or the connection shows an error:

1. Direct the user to https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=instagram
2. After they confirm, call clawlink_list_integrations to verify
3. Then call clawlink_list_tools --integration instagram

Security & Permissions#

• Connected-account tools are scoped to the connected Instagram Business or Creator account.
• The public-data tools under "No Account Needed" read other people's public Instagram content (profiles, posts, comments) without any connected account. They are read-only, never post or change anything, and each call is paid from the user's ClawLink credit.
• A Business or Creator account is required — personal Instagram accounts are not supported by the Instagram Graph API.
• All write operations require explicit user confirmation. Before executing any publish, comment, or DM action, confirm the target resource and intended effect with the user.
• Destructive actions (delete comment, delete message) are marked as high-impact and must be confirmed.
• Content publishing is rate-limited by Instagram (25 posts per 24-hour window per account).

Tool Reference#

Media Retrieval & Publishing#

ToolDescriptionModeinstagram_get_ig_user_mediaList all media (posts, photos, videos, reels, carousels) published by the accountReadinstagram_get_ig_mediaGet details for a specific published media item including engagement metricsReadinstagram_get_ig_media_childrenGet individual media items from a carousel/album postReadinstagram_post_ig_user_mediaCreate a media container for publishing (first step of two-step publish)Writeinstagram_post_ig_user_media_publishPublish a media container to the account (auto-waits for processing)Writeinstagram_create_carousel_containerCreate a draft carousel post with 2–10 images/videosWrite

Insights & Analytics#

ToolDescriptionModeinstagram_get_user_insightsGet account-level insights (profile views, reach, follower count)Readinstagram_get_ig_media_insightsGet per-media performance metrics (views, likes, comments, saves, shares)Readinstagram_get_user_infoGet profile details and statistics for the Business/Creator accountReadinstagram_get_ig_user_content_publishing_limitCheck remaining publish quota before postingRead

Comments & Replies#

ToolDescriptionModeinstagram_get_ig_media_commentsList comments on a specific post with cursor-based paginationReadinstagram_get_ig_comment_repliesGet replies to a specific commentReadinstagram_post_ig_media_commentsPost a comment on a media item (300 chars max, 4 hashtags, 1 URL)Writeinstagram_post_ig_comment_repliesReply to an existing comment (300 chars max)Writeinstagram_delete_commentDelete a comment (only comments your account created)Write

Stories & Live#

ToolDescriptionModeinstagram_get_ig_user_storiesList active stories within the 24-hour story windowReadinstagram_get_ig_user_live_mediaGet live media during an active broadcastRead

Conversations & Messaging#

ToolDescriptionModeinstagram_list_all_conversationsList all Instagram DM conversationsReadinstagram_get_conversationGet details of a specific DM conversationReadinstagram_list_all_messagesList messages in a specific DM threadReadinstagram_send_text_messageSend a text DM (requires prior conversation thread)Writeinstagram_send_imageSend an image via DMWriteinstagram_mark_seenMark messages as read in a DM threadWriteinstagram_get_page_conversationsGet conversations for the connected PageRead

Messaging Configuration#

ToolDescriptionModeinstagram_get_messenger_profileGet ice breakers and messaging settingsReadinstagram_update_messenger_profileConfigure ice breakers for the Instagram inboxWriteinstagram_delete_messenger_profileRemove messaging configurationWrite

Mentions & Tags#

ToolDescriptionModeinstagram_get_ig_user_tagsGet media where your account was tagged by othersReadinstagram_post_ig_user_mentionsReply to a mention of your accountWrite

Code Examples#

Get account info and insights#

bash

clawlink_call_tool --tool "instagram_get_user_info" \
  --params '{}'

List recent posts with insights#

bash

clawlink_call_tool --tool "instagram_get_ig_user_media" \
  --params '{}'

Get insights for a specific post#

bash

clawlink_call_tool --tool "instagram_get_ig_media_insights" \
  --params '{"media_id": "MEDIA_ID"}'

Post a comment#

bash

clawlink_call_tool --tool "instagram_post_ig_media_comments" \
  --params '{"media_id": "MEDIA_ID", "text": "Great post! Thanks for sharing."}'

Send a DM#

bash

clawlink_call_tool --tool "instagram_send_text_message" \
  --params '{"message": "Hi! Thanks for reaching out.", "conversation_id": "CONVERSATION_ID"}'

Discovery Workflow#

1. Call clawlink_list_integrations to confirm Instagram is connected.
2. Call clawlink_list_tools --integration instagram to see the live catalog.
3. Treat the returned list as the source of truth. Do not guess or assume what tools exist.
4. If the user describes a capability but the exact tool is unclear, call clawlink_search_tools with a short query and integration instagram.
5. If no Instagram tools appear, direct the user to https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=instagram.

Execution Workflow#

text

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  READ OPERATIONS (Safe)                                     │
│  list → get → search → describe → call                      │
│                                                             │
│  Example: List media → Get insights → Show results          │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                              │
                              ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  WRITE OPERATIONS (Require Confirmation)                     │
│  list → get → describe → preview → confirm → call           │
│                                                             │
│  Example: Preview comment → User approves → Execute         │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

1. For unfamiliar tools, ambiguous requests, or any write action, call clawlink_describe_tool first.
2. Use the returned guidance, schema, whenToUse, askBefore, safeDefaults, examples, and followups to shape the call.
3. Prefer read, list, search, and get operations before writes when that reduces ambiguity.
4. For writes or anything marked as requiring confirmation, call clawlink_preview_tool first.
5. Execute with clawlink_call_tool. Pass confirmation only after the preview matches the user's intent.
6. If the tool call fails, report the real error. Do not invent results or restate the failure as a missing capability unless the live catalog supports that conclusion.

Notes#

• Only Business or Creator Instagram accounts are supported — personal accounts return permission errors.
• Content publishing is limited to 25 API-published posts per 24-hour moving window per account.
• Media container creation_id s expire in under 24 hours — publish promptly after creating a container.
• Comments are limited to 300 characters, 4 hashtags, and 1 URL.
• DMs can only be sent in existing conversation threads — new threads cannot be initiated via the API.
• Insights data is only available for posts published within the last 2 years and requires at least 1,000 followers.
• Instagram IDs in API responses use the format 1784140xxxxx (not numeric strings).

Error Handling#

Status / ErrorMeaningTool not foundThe tool name does not exist in the current catalog. Verify with clawlink_list_tools --integration instagram.Missing connectionInstagram is not connected. Direct the user to https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=instagram.Permission errorThe account is a personal Instagram profile, not a Business/Creator account. OAuthExceptionInstagram OAuth token is invalid or expired. Reconnect Instagram.Rate limit exceededPublishing quota used. Wait or reduce publish frequency.Write rejectedUser did not confirm a write action. Always confirm before executing writes.

Troubleshooting: Tools Not Visible#

1. Check that the ClawLink plugin is installed: bash

   openclaw plugins list
   
   

2. If the plugin is installed but tools are missing, tell the user to send /new as a standalone message to reload the catalog.

3. If a fresh chat does not help, run: bash

   openclaw config set tools.alsoAllow '["clawlink-plugin"]' --strict-json
   openclaw gateway restart
   
   

4. After restart, tell the user to send /new again and retry.

Troubleshooting: Permission Errors#

1. Confirm the Instagram account is a Business or Creator account, not personal.
2. Verify the account is connected at https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=instagram.
3. For messaging tools, ensure the Instagram account has the Instagram Messaging permission scope.

Resources#

• Instagram Graph API Overview
• Instagram Media Publishing API
• Instagram Insights API
• Instagram Messaging API
• ClawLink: https://claw-link.dev/?utm_source=clawhub&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=instagram-posts
• ClawLink Docs: https://docs.claw-link.dev/openclaw
• ClawLink Verification: https://claw-link.dev/verify

Related Skills#

• Creator Scout
• Transcribe Any Video
• LinkedIn Social — For LinkedIn page and post management
• Twitter — For Twitter/X post management and analytics
• Facebook Pages — For Facebook Page management

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