> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developer.omni.z-api.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create channel

> Create a new channel via API

## Overview

Creates a new channel. After creation, the channel needs to be connected (via dashboard or SDK) to start sending and receiving messages.

The returned `id` is the `channelId` used in all API calls.

### Available types

| Type             | Platform                     |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------- |
| `META_WHATSAPP`  | WhatsApp (Meta Official API) |
| `Z_API_WHATSAPP` | WhatsApp Web                 |
| `META_INSTAGRAM` | Instagram                    |
| `META_MESSENGER` | Messenger                    |
| `BOT_TELEGRAM`   | Telegram                     |


## OpenAPI

````yaml en/channels/openapi-create.json POST /v1/channels
openapi: 3.1.0
info:
  title: Omni Z-API - Create Channel
  version: 1.0.0
servers:
  - url: https://api.omni.z-api.io
security:
  - bearerAuth: []
paths:
  /v1/channels:
    post:
      tags:
        - Channels
      summary: Create channel
      description: Creates a new channel.
      operationId: createChannel
      requestBody:
        required: true
        content:
          application/json:
            schema:
              $ref: '#/components/schemas/CreateChannelRequest'
            example:
              name: My WhatsApp channel
              type: META_WHATSAPP
      responses:
        '200':
          description: Channel created successfully
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/CreateChannelResponse'
              example:
                id: a1b2c3d4-e5f6-7890-abcd-ef1234567890
        '401':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Unauthorized'
components:
  schemas:
    CreateChannelRequest:
      type: object
      required:
        - name
        - type
      properties:
        name:
          type: string
          description: Channel name
        type:
          type: string
          description: Channel type (platform)
          enum:
            - META_WHATSAPP
            - Z_API_WHATSAPP
            - META_INSTAGRAM
            - META_MESSENGER
            - BOT_TELEGRAM
    CreateChannelResponse:
      type: object
      properties:
        id:
          type: string
          description: Created channel ID (channelId)
    Error:
      type: object
      properties:
        error:
          type: integer
        message:
          type: string
  responses:
    Unauthorized:
      description: Invalid or missing token.
      content:
        application/json:
          schema:
            $ref: '#/components/schemas/Error'
          example:
            error: 401
            message: Unauthorized
  securitySchemes:
    bearerAuth:
      type: http
      scheme: bearer
      description: Secret Key generated in the Omni Z-API Security panel

````