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.

Quick Reference

Initial Setup (QR Pairing)

First-time setup requires scanning a QR code:

1. Open Google Messages Web browser action=open profile=openclaw targetUrl="https://messages.google.com/web/authentication"

2. Screenshot the QR code and share with user 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.

Sending Messages

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

2. Take snapshot and find conversation browser action=snapshot profile=openclaw Look for the contact in the conversation list, note the ref.

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

4. Type message (find textarea ref from snapshot) browser action=act profile=openclaw request={"kind": "type", "ref": "<input_ref>", "text": "Your message"}

5. Click send (find send button ref) browser action=act profile=openclaw request={"kind": "click", "ref": "<send_ref>"}

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)

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

Reading Messages

See references/snippets.md for JavaScript snippets to:

• Get recent conversations

• Get messages in current conversation

• Check session status

Troubleshooting

Selectors Reference

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

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)

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

License

Apache-2.0