iMessage Auto-Responder Setup Guide

FULL STEP BY STEP WALKTHROUGH: https://youtu.be/Bi3z2tMPjxs?si=-uyGBtecRYpoXeDR

Prerequisites

Step 1: macOS Requirements

You must be on macOS with the Messages.app signed in to iMessage.

Step 2: Install imsg Tool

Install the imsg command-line tool by running:

brew install steipete/tap/imsg

Step 3: Grant Permissions

You must grant Full Disk Access to your Terminal or iTerm application:

• Navigate to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access
• Add your Terminal/iTerm application
• You will also need to approve the Messages automation permission (macOS will prompt on first use)

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Installation

Step 4: Get Gemini API Key

Get your free Gemini API key from: https://youtu.be/yZN5a12CZD8?si=0L1kHZL1J-gqgr47

Step 5: Download the Skill

Install the skill from: https://clawhub.ai/Koba42Corp/autoresponder

Step 6: Extract Files

Extract the downloaded skill into:

/Users/[your user]/.openclaw/workspace/skills

Step 6a: Make sure to rename the folder to autoresponder

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Configuration

Step 7: Set Up Gemini API Key

Add your Gemini API key to .zshrc:

echo 'export GEMINI_API_KEY="YOUR_KEY_HERE"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

Verify installation by checking these directories exist:

~/clawd
~/.openclaw
~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/autoresponder

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Step 7a: Update the watcher.js file

• Update generateResponse() to use GEMINI AI
• Update sendMessage() method to support both iMessage (iPhones) and SMS (non-iPhones)
• Add const { OpenAI } = require('openai'); at the top

Shortcut: Copy and paste the watcher.js file from this GitHub repo to replace your existing one.

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Step 7b: Install dependencies

cd ~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/autoresponder/scripts
npm install openai

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Step 7c: Make the launcher executable

chmod +x ~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/autoresponder/scripts/launcher.sh

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Running the Auto-Responder

Step 8: Initial Startup

Start up Clawdbot and verify it's working properly. If you encounter any permission errors from Telegram, we'll troubleshoot them.

Step 9: Stop Existing Gateway

openclaw gateway stop

Step 10: Start Gateway in Verbose Mode

Important: Run this from the same terminal where you installed imsg:

openclaw gateway --verbose

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Step 10a: Start Auto-Responder

In Telegram, start the auto-responder:

/autorespond restart

Step 11: Check Status

In Telegram, verify the auto-responder is running:

/autorespond status

Step 12: Add Contacts

Add contacts to the watchlist using:

/autorespond_add +15551234567 "Best Friend" "Reply with sarcastic humor"

Example prompts:

"Reply casually like we're close friends"
"Be professional and brief"
"Reply affectionately, use 'love' and 'baby' occasionally"

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You're all set! The auto-responder will now monitor and reply to messages from your added contacts.

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Troubleshooting

Permission errors: Make sure you ran openclaw gateway --verbose from the terminal where you installed imsg

Not responding: Check logs at

~/clawd/logs/imsg-autoresponder.log

API errors: Verify your Gemini API key with:

echo $GEMINI_API_KEY