google-messages

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 (recommended: openclaw or dedicated profile)

Initial Setup (QR Pairing)

First-time setup requires scanning a QR code:

Step 1: Open Google Messages Web

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

Step 2: Take screenshot to see QR code

browser action=screenshot profile=openclaw

Step 3: Scan QR with phone

Open Google Messages app on Android
Tap three-dot menu → "Device pairing"
Tap "QR code scanner"
Scan the QR code shown in browser

Step 4: Verify connection

browser action=snapshot profile=openclaw

Look for conversation list indicating successful pairing.

Note: Check "Remember this computer" on the web page to persist the session.

Sending Messages

Step 1: Navigate to messages

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

Step 2: Find or start conversation

Take a snapshot, find the conversation by contact name, click it:

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

Step 3: Type and send message

Find the message input ref from snapshot, then:

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

Receiving Messages (Real-time via Webhook)

This skill includes a real-time notification system using a MutationObserver and webhook.

Components

sms-webhook-server.js - HTTP server that receives notifications and forwards to your preferred channel
sms-observer.js - Browser script that watches for new messages and POSTs to the webhook

Setup

1. Configure the webhook server

Edit sms-webhook-server.js and set your notification target:

const NOTIFICATION_TARGET = 'telegram:YOUR_CHAT_ID'; // or other OpenClaw channel
const NOTIFICATION_CHANNEL = 'telegram'; // telegram, whatsapp, signal, etc.

2. Start the webhook server

node sms-webhook-server.js
# Or install as systemd service (see below)

3. Inject the observer into the browser

After the Google Messages page is loaded:

browser action=act profile=openclaw request={"kind": "evaluate", "fn": "<contents of sms-observer.js>"}

Or use the helper script:

./scripts/inject-observer.sh

Systemd Service (Persistent)

Install as a systemd user service:

mkdir -p ~/.config/systemd/user
cp systemd/google-messages-webhook.service ~/.config/systemd/user/
systemctl --user daemon-reload
systemctl --user enable --now google-messages-webhook

Check status:

systemctl --user status google-messages-webhook
journalctl --user -u google-messages-webhook -f

Alternative: Polling Mode

If you prefer polling (no webhook server needed):

// Inject sms-observer.js (polling version)
eval(smsObserverScript);

// Poll for messages
const pending = window._smsObserver.getPending();

See references/observer-polling.md for details.

Reading Messages

Get recent conversations

(() => {
  const convos = document.querySelectorAll('mws-conversation-list-item');
  const results = [];
  
  for (let i = 0; i < Math.min(convos.length, 10); i++) {
    const name = convos[i].querySelector('h2')?.innerText || 'Unknown';
    const preview = convos[i].querySelector('[data-e2e-conversation-snippet]')?.innerText || '';
    const time = convos[i].querySelector('[data-e2e-conversation-timestamp]')?.innerText || '';
    
    results.push({ name: name.trim(), preview: preview.trim().substring(0, 50), time: time.trim() });
  }
  
  return JSON.stringify(results, null, 2);
})()

Get messages in current conversation

(() => {
  const messages = document.querySelectorAll('mws-message-wrapper');
  const results = [];
  const start = Math.max(0, messages.length - 10);
  
  for (let i = start; i < messages.length; i++) {
    const msg = messages[i];
    const text = msg.querySelector('[data-e2e-message-text]')?.innerText || '';
    const time = msg.querySelector('[data-e2e-message-timestamp]')?.innerText || '';
    const isOutgoing = msg.classList.contains('outgoing');
    
    if (text) {
      results.push({ text: text.trim(), time: time.trim(), direction: isOutgoing ? 'sent' : 'received' });
    }
  }
  
  return JSON.stringify(results, null, 2);
})()

Selectors Reference

Google Messages uses Angular/Material components. These selectors may change with updates.

Element	Selectors
Conversation list	`mws-conversations-list`
Single conversation	`mws-conversation-list-item`
Message input	`textarea[aria-label*="message"]`
Send button	`button[aria-label*="Send"]`
QR code	`mw-qr-code`
New conversation	`button[aria-label*="Start chat"]`

Troubleshooting

Problem	Solution
QR code shown	Session expired, need to re-pair
Elements not found	Google updated UI, check snapshot for new selectors
Send button disabled	Message input empty or phone disconnected
"Phone not connected"	Phone needs internet, same Google account
Observer not detecting	Check browser console for errors
Webhook not receiving	Verify server is running on port 19888
Duplicate messages	Server-side deduplication should prevent this; check logs

Limitations

Phone must be online - Messages sync through phone
Same Google account - Phone and web must use same account
Session expires - May need re-pairing after ~14 days of inactivity
Browser tab required - Must stay open for notifications
Re-inject on reload - Observer script lost if page refreshes

Security Notes

Session persists in browser profile cookies
Don't share browser profile with session
Consider dedicated browser profile for this skill
QR pairing links to your phone - treat as sensitive
Webhook server listens only on localhost by default

License

Apache-2.0