# Routing messages to agents or bots

Select the source room or event, choose the target bot or agent, define mention or thread behavior, set fallbacks, and test the mapping with a unique message.

![Routing messages to agents or bots in Foxora v5.0.3](/docs/images/v5.0.3/settings/channels.webp)

## Where this lives

Open **Settings → Channels**.

Channels connect supported messaging surfaces to Foxora bots or agents. Routing rules determine which destination handles an inbound message and where replies are sent.

> **Safety:** Channel content is untrusted and may be visible to many people. Restrict senders, rooms, tools, and sensitive outputs; verify the destination before posting or sending.

## Steps

1. Open **Settings → Channels**.
2. Select the source room or event.
3. Choose the target bot or agent.
4. Define mention or thread behavior.
5. Set fallbacks.
6. Test the mapping with a unique message.
7. **Confirm the result.** Send a test message from an allowed location and a blocked location, then verify routing, identity, reply destination, tool activity, and channel audit history.

## Choose the right path

- Route repeatable public or team conversations to a bot.
- Route controlled internal requests to a specialist agent.
- Use a workflow when a message should start a fixed multi-step process.


## Confirm it worked

- Send a test message from an allowed location and a blocked location, then verify routing, identity, reply destination, tool activity, and channel audit history.
- The screen, command, file, run, or destination named in this guide reflects the expected state.