Anthropic has introduced channels for Claude Code, allowing events to be pushed into running sessions. These MCP servers enable Claude to react to external occurrences even when users aren't at terminals. Channels operate bidirectionally, creating a bridge between platforms and Claude. Currently in research preview, channels represent an evolution in how developers interact with AI assistants during development workflows.

Implementation comes through plugin installation with personal credentials. Two platforms are supported: Telegram and Discord. Events only process during active sessions. When Claude responds through channels, users see tool call confirmations in their terminal but not the reply text, which appears on the external platform. The fakechat demo provides localhost testing without authentication.

Security includes sender allowlists enforced by each approved plugin. Users must pair accounts by exchanging codes between platforms and Claude Code. Team and Enterprise plans require administrator activation through claude.ai settings. The --channels flag controls which servers connect during each session, with Enterprise plans centrally managing availability.