fix: tighten group elevated targeting

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 ## Unreleased
 
+- Security: per-agent mention patterns and group elevated directives now require explicit mention to avoid cross-agent toggles.
 - Config: support inline env vars in config (`env.*` / `env.vars`) and document env precedence.
 - Agent: enable adaptive context pruning by default for tool-result trimming.
 - Doctor: check config/state permissions and offer to tighten them. — thanks @steipete

docs/concepts/group-messages.md

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ read_when:
 
 Goal: let Clawd sit in WhatsApp groups, wake up only when pinged, and keep that thread separate from the personal DM session.
 
-Note: `routing.groupChat.mentionPatterns` is now used by Telegram/Discord/Slack/iMessage as well; this doc focuses on WhatsApp-specific behavior.
+Note: `routing.groupChat.mentionPatterns` is now used by Telegram/Discord/Slack/iMessage as well; this doc focuses on WhatsApp-specific behavior. For multi-agent setups, you can override per agent with `routing.agents.<agentId>.mentionPatterns`.
 
 ## What’s implemented (2025-12-03)
 - Activation modes: `mention` (default) or `always`. `mention` requires a ping (real WhatsApp @-mentions via `mentionedJids`, regex patterns, or the bot’s E.164 anywhere in the text). `always` wakes the agent on every message but it should reply only when it can add meaningful value; otherwise it returns the silent token `NO_REPLY`. Defaults can be set in config (`whatsapp.groups`) and overridden per group via `/activation`. When `whatsapp.groups` is set, it also acts as a group allowlist (include `"*"` to allow all).

docs/concepts/groups.md

@@ -100,6 +100,7 @@ Group messages require a mention unless overridden per group. Defaults live per
 Notes:
 - `mentionPatterns` are case-insensitive regexes.
 - Surfaces that provide explicit mentions still pass; patterns are a fallback.
+- Per-agent override: `routing.agents.<agentId>.mentionPatterns` (useful when multiple agents share a group).
 - Mention gating is only enforced when mention detection is possible (native mentions or `mentionPatterns` are configured).
 - Discord defaults live in `discord.guilds."*"` (overridable per guild/channel).
 

docs/concepts/multi-agent.md

@@ -186,4 +186,8 @@ Starting with v2026.1.6, each agent can have its own sandbox and tool restrictio
 - **Resource control**: Sandbox specific agents while keeping others on host
 - **Flexible policies**: Different permissions per agent
 
+Note: `agent.elevated` is **global** and sender-based; it is not configurable per agent.
+If you need per-agent boundaries, use `routing.agents[id].tools` to deny `bash`.
+For group targeting, you can set `routing.agents[id].mentionPatterns` so @mentions map cleanly to the intended agent.
+
 See [Multi-Agent Sandbox & Tools](/multi-agent-sandbox-tools) for detailed examples.

docs/gateway/configuration.md

@@ -319,6 +319,7 @@ Group messages default to **require mention** (either metadata mention or regex
 - **Metadata mentions**: Native platform @-mentions (e.g., WhatsApp tap-to-mention). Ignored in WhatsApp self-chat mode (see `whatsapp.allowFrom`).
 - **Text patterns**: Regex patterns defined in `mentionPatterns`. Always checked regardless of self-chat mode.
 - Mention gating is enforced only when mention detection is possible (native mentions or at least one `mentionPattern`).
+ - Per-agent override: `routing.agents.<agentId>.mentionPatterns` (useful when multiple agents share a group).
 
 ```json5
 {
@@ -331,6 +332,18 @@ Group messages default to **require mention** (either metadata mention or regex
 }
 ```
 
+Per-agent override (takes precedence when set, even `[]`):
+```json5
+{
+  routing: {
+    agents: {
+      work: { mentionPatterns: ["@workbot", "\\+15555550123"] },
+      personal: { mentionPatterns: ["@homebot", "\\+15555550999"] }
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
 Mention gating defaults live per provider (`whatsapp.groups`, `telegram.groups`, `imessage.groups`, `discord.guilds`). When `*.groups` is set, it also acts as a group allowlist; include `"*"` to allow all groups.
 
 To respond **only** to specific text triggers (ignoring native @-mentions):

docs/gateway/sandboxing.md

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ and process access when the model does something dumb.
 Not sandboxed:
 - The Gateway process itself.
 - Any tool explicitly allowed to run on the host (e.g. `agent.elevated`).
+  - **Elevated bash runs on the host and bypasses sandboxing.**
 
 ## Modes
 `agent.sandbox.mode` controls **when** sandboxing is used:

docs/gateway/security.md

@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ Also consider agent workspace access inside the sandbox:
 - `workspaceAccess: "ro"` mounts the agent workspace read-only at `/agent` (disables `write`/`edit`)
 - `workspaceAccess: "rw"` mounts the agent workspace read/write at `/workspace`
 
-Important: `agent.elevated` is an explicit escape hatch that runs bash on the host. Keep `agent.elevated.allowFrom` tight and don’t enable it for strangers.
+Important: `agent.elevated` is a **global**, sender-based escape hatch that runs bash on the host. Keep `agent.elevated.allowFrom` tight and don’t enable it for strangers. See [Elevated Mode](/tools/elevated).
 
 ## Per-agent access profiles (multi-agent)
 

docs/gateway/troubleshooting.md

@@ -114,6 +114,7 @@ Look for `AllowFrom: ...` in the output.
 **Check 2:** For group chats, is mention required?
 ```bash
 # The message must match mentionPatterns or explicit mentions; defaults live in provider groups/guilds.
+# Multi-agent: `routing.agents.<agentId>.mentionPatterns` overrides global patterns.
 grep -n "routing\\|groupChat\\|mentionPatterns\\|whatsapp\\.groups\\|telegram\\.groups\\|imessage\\.groups\\|discord\\.guilds" \
   "${CLAWDBOT_CONFIG_PATH:-$HOME/.clawdbot/clawdbot.json}"
 ```

docs/multi-agent-sandbox-tools.md

@@ -169,6 +169,14 @@ The filtering order is:
 Each level can further restrict tools, but cannot grant back denied tools from earlier levels.
 If `routing.agents[id].sandbox.tools` is set, it replaces `agent.sandbox.tools` for that agent.
 
+### Elevated Mode (global)
+`agent.elevated` is **global** and **sender-based** (per-provider allowlist). It is **not** configurable per agent.
+
+Mitigation patterns:
+- Deny `bash` for untrusted agents (`routing.agents[id].tools.deny: ["bash"]`)
+- Avoid allowlisting senders that route to restricted agents
+- Disable elevated globally (`agent.elevated.enabled: false`) if you only want sandboxed execution
+
 ---
 
 ## Migration from Single Agent

docs/providers/discord.md

@@ -138,6 +138,7 @@ Example “single server, only allow me, only allow #help”:
 Notes:
 - `requireMention: true` means the bot only replies when mentioned (recommended for shared channels).
 - `routing.groupChat.mentionPatterns` also count as mentions for guild messages.
+- Multi-agent override: `routing.agents.<agentId>.mentionPatterns` takes precedence.
 - If `channels` is present, any channel not listed is denied by default.
 
 ### 6) Verify it works

docs/providers/imessage.md

@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ Groups:
 - `imessage.groupPolicy = open | allowlist | disabled`.
 - `imessage.groupAllowFrom` controls who can trigger in groups when `allowlist` is set.
 - Mention gating uses `routing.groupChat.mentionPatterns` (iMessage has no native mention metadata).
+- Multi-agent override: `routing.agents.<agentId>.mentionPatterns` takes precedence.
 
 ## How it works (behavior)
 - `imsg` streams message events; the gateway normalizes them into the shared provider envelope.

docs/providers/signal.md

@@ -93,4 +93,5 @@ Provider options:
 
 Related global options:
 - `routing.groupChat.mentionPatterns` (Signal does not support native mentions).
+- Multi-agent override: `routing.agents.<agentId>.mentionPatterns` takes precedence.
 - `messages.responsePrefix`.

docs/providers/slack.md

@@ -251,6 +251,7 @@ Slack tool actions can be gated with `slack.actions.*`:
 
 ## Notes
 - Mention gating is controlled via `slack.channels` (set `requireMention` to `true`); `routing.groupChat.mentionPatterns` also count as mentions.
+- Multi-agent override: `routing.agents.<agentId>.mentionPatterns` takes precedence.
 - Reaction notifications follow `slack.reactionNotifications` (use `reactionAllowlist` with mode `allowlist`).
 - Bot-authored messages are ignored by default; enable via `slack.allowBots` or `slack.channels.<id>.allowBots`.
 - For the Slack tool, reaction removal semantics are in [/tools/reactions](/tools/reactions).

docs/providers/telegram.md

@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ group messages, so use admin if you need full visibility.
 ## How it works (behavior)
 - Inbound messages are normalized into the shared provider envelope with reply context and media placeholders.
 - Group replies require a mention by default (native @mention or `routing.groupChat.mentionPatterns`).
+- Multi-agent override: `routing.agents.<agentId>.mentionPatterns` takes precedence.
 - Replies always route back to the same Telegram chat.
 - Long-polling uses grammY runner with per-chat sequencing; overall concurrency is capped by `agent.maxConcurrent`.
 
@@ -279,5 +280,6 @@ Provider options:
 
 Related global options:
 - `routing.groupChat.mentionPatterns` (mention gating patterns).
+- `routing.agents.<agentId>.mentionPatterns` overrides for multi-agent setups.
 - `commands.native`, `commands.text`, `commands.useAccessGroups` (command behavior).
 - `messages.responsePrefix`, `messages.ackReaction`, `messages.ackReactionScope`.

docs/providers/whatsapp.md

@@ -170,6 +170,7 @@ Recommended for personal numbers:
 - `whatsapp.groups` (group allowlist + mention gating defaults; use `"*"` to allow all)
 - `whatsapp.actions.reactions` (gate WhatsApp tool reactions).
 - `routing.groupChat.mentionPatterns`
+- Multi-agent override: `routing.agents.<agentId>.mentionPatterns` takes precedence.
 - `routing.groupChat.historyLimit`
 - `messages.messagePrefix` (inbound prefix)
 - `messages.responsePrefix` (outbound prefix)

docs/tools/elevated.md

@@ -10,6 +10,14 @@ read_when:
 - Directive forms: `/elevated on`, `/elevated off`, `/elev on`, `/elev off`.
 - Only `on|off` are accepted; anything else returns a hint and does not change state.
 
+## What it controls (and what it doesn’t)
+- **Global availability gate**: `agent.elevated` is global (not per-agent). If disabled or sender not allowlisted, elevated is unavailable everywhere.
+- **Per-session state**: `/elevated on|off` sets the elevated level for the current session key.
+- **Inline directive**: `/elevated on` inside a message applies to that message only.
+- **Groups**: In group chats, elevated directives are only honored when the agent is mentioned.
+- **Host execution**: elevated runs `bash` on the host (bypasses sandbox).
+- **Tool policy still applies**: if `bash` is denied by tool policy, elevated cannot be used.
+
 ## Resolution order
 1. Inline directive on the message (applies only to that message).
 2. Session override (set by sending a directive-only message).

docs/tools/index.md

@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ Notes:
 - Returns `status: "running"` with a `sessionId` when backgrounded.
 - Use `process` to poll/log/write/kill/clear background sessions.
 - If `process` is disallowed, `bash` runs synchronously and ignores `yieldMs`/`background`.
+- `elevated` is gated by `agent.elevated` (global sender allowlist) and runs on the host.
 
 ### `process`
 Manage background bash sessions.

docs/tools/slash-commands.md

@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ read_when:
 # Slash commands
 
 Commands are handled by the Gateway. Send them as a **standalone** message that starts with `/`.
-Inline text like `hello /status` is ignored.
+Inline text like `hello /status` is ignored for commands.
+
+Directives (`/think`, `/verbose`, `/reasoning`, `/elevated`) are parsed even when inline and are stripped from the message before the model sees it.
 
 ## Config
 

src/auto-reply/reply.triggers.test.ts

@@ -340,6 +340,93 @@ describe("trigger handling", () => {
     });
   });
 
+  it("ignores elevated directive in groups when not mentioned", async () => {
+    await withTempHome(async (home) => {
+      vi.mocked(runEmbeddedPiAgent).mockResolvedValue({
+        payloads: [{ text: "ok" }],
+        meta: {
+          durationMs: 1,
+          agentMeta: { sessionId: "s", provider: "p", model: "m" },
+        },
+      });
+      const cfg = {
+        agent: {
+          model: "anthropic/claude-opus-4-5",
+          workspace: join(home, "clawd"),
+          elevated: {
+            allowFrom: { whatsapp: ["+1000"] },
+          },
+        },
+        whatsapp: {
+          allowFrom: ["+1000"],
+          groups: { "*": { requireMention: false } },
+        },
+        session: { store: join(home, "sessions.json") },
+      };
+
+      const res = await getReplyFromConfig(
+        {
+          Body: "/elevated on",
+          From: "group:123@g.us",
+          To: "whatsapp:+2000",
+          Provider: "whatsapp",
+          SenderE164: "+1000",
+          ChatType: "group",
+          WasMentioned: false,
+        },
+        {},
+        cfg,
+      );
+      const text = Array.isArray(res) ? res[0]?.text : res?.text;
+      expect(text).toBe("ok");
+      expect(text).not.toContain("Elevated mode enabled");
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("allows elevated directive in groups when mentioned", async () => {
+    await withTempHome(async (home) => {
+      const cfg = {
+        agent: {
+          model: "anthropic/claude-opus-4-5",
+          workspace: join(home, "clawd"),
+          elevated: {
+            allowFrom: { whatsapp: ["+1000"] },
+          },
+        },
+        whatsapp: {
+          allowFrom: ["+1000"],
+          groups: { "*": { requireMention: true } },
+        },
+        session: { store: join(home, "sessions.json") },
+      };
+
+      const res = await getReplyFromConfig(
+        {
+          Body: "/elevated on",
+          From: "group:123@g.us",
+          To: "whatsapp:+2000",
+          Provider: "whatsapp",
+          SenderE164: "+1000",
+          ChatType: "group",
+          WasMentioned: true,
+        },
+        {},
+        cfg,
+      );
+      const text = Array.isArray(res) ? res[0]?.text : res?.text;
+      expect(text).toContain("Elevated mode enabled");
+
+      const storeRaw = await fs.readFile(cfg.session.store, "utf-8");
+      const store = JSON.parse(storeRaw) as Record<
+        string,
+        { elevatedLevel?: string }
+      >;
+      expect(store["agent:main:whatsapp:group:123@g.us"]?.elevatedLevel).toBe(
+        "on",
+      );
+    });
+  });
+
   it("ignores inline elevated directive for unapproved sender", async () => {
     await withTempHome(async (home) => {
       vi.mocked(runEmbeddedPiAgent).mockResolvedValue({

src/auto-reply/reply.ts

@@ -329,8 +329,10 @@ export async function getReplyFromConfig(
     .map((entry) => entry.alias?.trim())
     .filter((alias): alias is string => Boolean(alias))
     .filter((alias) => !reservedCommands.has(alias.toLowerCase()));
+  const disableElevatedInGroup = isGroup && ctx.WasMentioned !== true;
   let parsedDirectives = parseInlineDirectives(rawBody, {
     modelAliases: configuredAliases,
+    disableElevated: disableElevatedInGroup,
   });
   const hasDirective =
     parsedDirectives.hasThinkDirective ||
@@ -342,7 +344,9 @@ export async function getReplyFromConfig(
     parsedDirectives.hasQueueDirective;
   if (hasDirective) {
     const stripped = stripStructuralPrefixes(parsedDirectives.cleaned);
-    const noMentions = isGroup ? stripMentions(stripped, ctx, cfg) : stripped;
+    const noMentions = isGroup
+      ? stripMentions(stripped, ctx, cfg, agentId)
+      : stripped;
     if (noMentions.trim().length > 0) {
       parsedDirectives = clearInlineDirectives(parsedDirectives.cleaned);
     }
@@ -467,6 +471,7 @@ export async function getReplyFromConfig(
       cleanedBody: directives.cleaned,
       ctx,
       cfg,
+      agentId,
       isGroup,
     })
   ) {
@@ -549,6 +554,7 @@ export async function getReplyFromConfig(
   const command = buildCommandContext({
     ctx,
     cfg,
+    agentId,
     sessionKey,
     isGroup,
     triggerBodyNormalized,
@@ -579,6 +585,7 @@ export async function getReplyFromConfig(
     ctx,
     cfg,
     command,
+    agentId,
     directives,
     sessionEntry,
     sessionStore,

src/auto-reply/reply/commands.ts

@@ -125,11 +125,12 @@ function extractCompactInstructions(params: {
   rawBody?: string;
   ctx: MsgContext;
   cfg: ClawdbotConfig;
+  agentId?: string;
   isGroup: boolean;
 }): string | undefined {
   const raw = stripStructuralPrefixes(params.rawBody ?? "");
   const stripped = params.isGroup
-    ? stripMentions(raw, params.ctx, params.cfg)
+    ? stripMentions(raw, params.ctx, params.cfg, params.agentId)
     : raw;
   const trimmed = stripped.trim();
   if (!trimmed) return undefined;
@@ -144,12 +145,14 @@ function extractCompactInstructions(params: {
 export function buildCommandContext(params: {
   ctx: MsgContext;
   cfg: ClawdbotConfig;
+  agentId?: string;
   sessionKey?: string;
   isGroup: boolean;
   triggerBodyNormalized: string;
   commandAuthorized: boolean;
 }): CommandContext {
-  const { ctx, cfg, sessionKey, isGroup, triggerBodyNormalized } = params;
+  const { ctx, cfg, agentId, sessionKey, isGroup, triggerBodyNormalized } =
+    params;
   const auth = resolveCommandAuthorization({
     ctx,
     cfg,
@@ -161,7 +164,9 @@ export function buildCommandContext(params: {
     sessionKey ?? (auth.from || undefined) ?? (auth.to || undefined);
   const rawBodyNormalized = triggerBodyNormalized;
   const commandBodyNormalized = normalizeCommandBody(
-    isGroup ? stripMentions(rawBodyNormalized, ctx, cfg) : rawBodyNormalized,
+    isGroup
+      ? stripMentions(rawBodyNormalized, ctx, cfg, agentId)
+      : rawBodyNormalized,
   );
 
   return {
@@ -206,6 +211,7 @@ export async function handleCommands(params: {
   ctx: MsgContext;
   cfg: ClawdbotConfig;
   command: CommandContext;
+  agentId?: string;
   directives: InlineDirectives;
   sessionEntry?: SessionEntry;
   sessionStore?: Record<string, SessionEntry>;
@@ -530,6 +536,7 @@ export async function handleCommands(params: {
       rawBody: ctx.Body,
       ctx,
       cfg,
+      agentId: params.agentId,
       isGroup,
     });
     const result = await compactEmbeddedPiSession({

src/auto-reply/reply/directive-handling.ts

@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ export type InlineDirectives = {
 
 export function parseInlineDirectives(
   body: string,
-  options?: { modelAliases?: string[] },
+  options?: { modelAliases?: string[]; disableElevated?: boolean },
 ): InlineDirectives {
   const {
     cleaned: thinkCleaned,
@@ -209,7 +209,14 @@ export function parseInlineDirectives(
     elevatedLevel,
     rawLevel: rawElevatedLevel,
     hasDirective: hasElevatedDirective,
-  } = extractElevatedDirective(reasoningCleaned);
+  } = options?.disableElevated
+    ? {
+        cleaned: reasoningCleaned,
+        elevatedLevel: undefined,
+        rawLevel: undefined,
+        hasDirective: false,
+      }
+    : extractElevatedDirective(reasoningCleaned);
   const { cleaned: statusCleaned, hasDirective: hasStatusDirective } =
     extractStatusDirective(elevatedCleaned);
   const {
@@ -272,9 +279,10 @@ export function isDirectiveOnly(params: {
   cleanedBody: string;
   ctx: MsgContext;
   cfg: ClawdbotConfig;
+  agentId?: string;
   isGroup: boolean;
 }): boolean {
-  const { directives, cleanedBody, ctx, cfg, isGroup } = params;
+  const { directives, cleanedBody, ctx, cfg, agentId, isGroup } = params;
   if (
     !directives.hasThinkDirective &&
     !directives.hasVerboseDirective &&
@@ -285,7 +293,9 @@ export function isDirectiveOnly(params: {
   )
     return false;
   const stripped = stripStructuralPrefixes(cleanedBody ?? "");
-  const noMentions = isGroup ? stripMentions(stripped, ctx, cfg) : stripped;
+  const noMentions = isGroup
+    ? stripMentions(stripped, ctx, cfg, agentId)
+    : stripped;
   return noMentions.length === 0;
 }
 

src/auto-reply/reply/mentions.test.ts

@@ -27,4 +27,20 @@ describe("mention helpers", () => {
     });
     expect(matchesMentionPatterns("CLAWD: hi", regexes)).toBe(true);
   });
+
+  it("uses per-agent mention patterns when configured", () => {
+    const regexes = buildMentionRegexes(
+      {
+        routing: {
+          groupChat: { mentionPatterns: ["\\bglobal\\b"] },
+          agents: {
+            work: { mentionPatterns: ["\\bworkbot\\b"] },
+          },
+        },
+      },
+      "work",
+    );
+    expect(matchesMentionPatterns("workbot: hi", regexes)).toBe(true);
+    expect(matchesMentionPatterns("global: hi", regexes)).toBe(false);
+  });
 });

src/auto-reply/reply/mentions.ts

@@ -1,8 +1,23 @@
 import type { ClawdbotConfig } from "../../config/config.js";
 import type { MsgContext } from "../templating.js";
 
-export function buildMentionRegexes(cfg: ClawdbotConfig | undefined): RegExp[] {
-  const patterns = cfg?.routing?.groupChat?.mentionPatterns ?? [];
+function resolveMentionPatterns(
+  cfg: ClawdbotConfig | undefined,
+  agentId?: string,
+): string[] {
+  if (!cfg) return [];
+  const agentConfig = agentId ? cfg.routing?.agents?.[agentId] : undefined;
+  if (agentConfig && Object.hasOwn(agentConfig, "mentionPatterns")) {
+    return agentConfig.mentionPatterns ?? [];
+  }
+  return cfg.routing?.groupChat?.mentionPatterns ?? [];
+}
+
+export function buildMentionRegexes(
+  cfg: ClawdbotConfig | undefined,
+  agentId?: string,
+): RegExp[] {
+  const patterns = resolveMentionPatterns(cfg, agentId);
   return patterns
     .map((pattern) => {
       try {
@@ -48,9 +63,10 @@ export function stripMentions(
   text: string,
   ctx: MsgContext,
   cfg: ClawdbotConfig | undefined,
+  agentId?: string,
 ): string {
   let result = text;
-  const patterns = cfg?.routing?.groupChat?.mentionPatterns ?? [];
+  const patterns = resolveMentionPatterns(cfg, agentId);
   for (const p of patterns) {
     try {
       const re = new RegExp(p, "gi");

src/auto-reply/reply/session.ts

@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ export async function initSessionState(params: {
   // web inbox before we get here. They prevented reset triggers like "/new"
   // from matching, so strip structural wrappers when checking for resets.
   const strippedForReset = isGroup
-    ? stripMentions(triggerBodyNormalized, ctx, cfg)
+    ? stripMentions(triggerBodyNormalized, ctx, cfg, agentId)
     : triggerBodyNormalized;
   for (const trigger of resetTriggers) {
     if (!trigger) continue;

src/config/types.ts

@@ -723,6 +723,8 @@ export type RoutingConfig = {
       workspace?: string;
       agentDir?: string;
       model?: string;
+      /** Per-agent override for group mention patterns. */
+      mentionPatterns?: string[];
       subagents?: {
         /** Allow spawning sub-agents under other agent ids. Use "*" to allow any. */
         allowAgents?: string[];

src/discord/monitor.ts

@@ -479,7 +479,6 @@ export function createDiscordMessageHandler(params: {
     guildEntries,
   } = params;
   const logger = getChildLogger({ module: "discord-auto-reply" });
-  const mentionRegexes = buildMentionRegexes(cfg);
   const ackReaction = (cfg.messages?.ackReaction ?? "").trim();
   const ackReactionScope = cfg.messages?.ackReactionScope ?? "group-mentions";
   const groupPolicy = discordConfig?.groupPolicy ?? "open";
@@ -576,6 +575,17 @@ export function createDiscordMessageHandler(params: {
       }
       const botId = botUserId;
       const baseText = resolveDiscordMessageText(message);
+      const route = resolveAgentRoute({
+        cfg,
+        provider: "discord",
+        accountId,
+        guildId: data.guild_id ?? undefined,
+        peer: {
+          kind: isDirectMessage ? "dm" : isGroupDm ? "group" : "channel",
+          id: isDirectMessage ? author.id : message.channelId,
+        },
+      });
+      const mentionRegexes = buildMentionRegexes(cfg, route.agentId);
       const wasMentioned =
         !isDirectMessage &&
         (Boolean(
@@ -647,16 +657,6 @@ export function createDiscordMessageHandler(params: {
         guildInfo?.slug ||
         (data.guild?.name ? normalizeDiscordSlug(data.guild.name) : "");
 
-      const route = resolveAgentRoute({
-        cfg,
-        provider: "discord",
-        accountId,
-        guildId: data.guild_id ?? undefined,
-        peer: {
-          kind: isDirectMessage ? "dm" : isGroupDm ? "group" : "channel",
-          id: isDirectMessage ? author.id : message.channelId,
-        },
-      });
       const baseSessionKey = route.sessionKey;
       const channelConfig = isGuildMessage
         ? resolveDiscordChannelConfig({

src/imessage/monitor.ts

@@ -149,7 +149,6 @@ export async function monitorIMessageProvider(
   );
   const groupPolicy = imessageCfg.groupPolicy ?? "open";
   const dmPolicy = imessageCfg.dmPolicy ?? "pairing";
-  const mentionRegexes = buildMentionRegexes(cfg);
   const includeAttachments =
     opts.includeAttachments ?? imessageCfg.includeAttachments ?? false;
   const mediaMaxBytes =
@@ -287,6 +286,18 @@ export async function monitorIMessageProvider(
       }
     }
 
+    const route = resolveAgentRoute({
+      cfg,
+      provider: "imessage",
+      accountId: accountInfo.accountId,
+      peer: {
+        kind: isGroup ? "group" : "dm",
+        id: isGroup
+          ? String(chatId ?? "unknown")
+          : normalizeIMessageHandle(sender),
+      },
+    });
+    const mentionRegexes = buildMentionRegexes(cfg, route.agentId);
     const messageText = (message.text ?? "").trim();
     const mentioned = isGroup
       ? matchesMentionPatterns(messageText, mentionRegexes)
@@ -357,17 +368,6 @@ export async function monitorIMessageProvider(
       body: bodyText,
     });
 
-    const route = resolveAgentRoute({
-      cfg,
-      provider: "imessage",
-      accountId: accountInfo.accountId,
-      peer: {
-        kind: isGroup ? "group" : "dm",
-        id: isGroup
-          ? String(chatId ?? "unknown")
-          : normalizeIMessageHandle(sender),
-      },
-    });
     const imessageTo = chatTarget || `imessage:${sender}`;
     const ctxPayload = {
       Body: body,

src/slack/monitor.ts

@@ -508,7 +508,6 @@ export async function monitorSlackProvider(opts: MonitorSlackOpts = {}) {
     opts.slashCommand ?? slackCfg.slashCommand,
   );
   const textLimit = resolveTextChunkLimit(cfg, "slack", account.accountId);
-  const mentionRegexes = buildMentionRegexes(cfg);
   const ackReaction = (cfg.messages?.ackReaction ?? "").trim();
   const ackReactionScope = cfg.messages?.ackReactionScope ?? "group-mentions";
   const mediaMaxBytes =
@@ -855,6 +854,17 @@ export async function monitorSlackProvider(opts: MonitorSlackOpts = {}) {
       }
     }
 
+    const route = resolveAgentRoute({
+      cfg,
+      provider: "slack",
+      accountId: account.accountId,
+      teamId: teamId || undefined,
+      peer: {
+        kind: isDirectMessage ? "dm" : isRoom ? "channel" : "group",
+        id: isDirectMessage ? (message.user ?? "unknown") : message.channel,
+      },
+    });
+    const mentionRegexes = buildMentionRegexes(cfg, route.agentId);
     const wasMentioned =
       opts.wasMentioned ??
       (!isDirectMessage &&
@@ -963,16 +973,6 @@ export async function monitorSlackProvider(opts: MonitorSlackOpts = {}) {
       : isRoom
         ? `slack:channel:${message.channel}`
         : `slack:group:${message.channel}`;
-    const route = resolveAgentRoute({
-      cfg,
-      provider: "slack",
-      accountId: account.accountId,
-      teamId: teamId || undefined,
-      peer: {
-        kind: isDirectMessage ? "dm" : isRoom ? "channel" : "group",
-        id: isDirectMessage ? (message.user ?? "unknown") : message.channel,
-      },
-    });
     const baseSessionKey = route.sessionKey;
     const threadTs = message.thread_ts;
     const hasThreadTs = typeof threadTs === "string" && threadTs.length > 0;

src/telegram/bot.ts

@@ -225,7 +225,6 @@ export function createTelegramBot(opts: TelegramBotOptions) {
   const mediaMaxBytes =
     (opts.mediaMaxMb ?? telegramCfg.mediaMaxMb ?? 5) * 1024 * 1024;
   const logger = getChildLogger({ module: "telegram-auto-reply" });
-  const mentionRegexes = buildMentionRegexes(cfg);
   let botHasTopicsEnabled: boolean | undefined;
   const resolveBotTopicsEnabled = async (ctx?: TelegramContext) => {
     const fromCtx = ctx?.me as { has_topics_enabled?: boolean } | undefined;
@@ -322,6 +321,7 @@ export function createTelegramBot(opts: TelegramBotOptions) {
         id: peerId,
       },
     });
+    const mentionRegexes = buildMentionRegexes(cfg, route.agentId);
     const effectiveDmAllow = normalizeAllowFrom([
       ...(allowFrom ?? []),
       ...storeAllowFrom,

src/web/auto-reply.test.ts

@@ -1132,6 +1132,81 @@ describe("web auto-reply", () => {
     expect(payload.Body).toContain("[from: Bob (+222)]");
   });
 
+  it("uses per-agent mention patterns for group gating", async () => {
+    const sendMedia = vi.fn();
+    const reply = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined);
+    const sendComposing = vi.fn();
+    const resolver = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({ text: "ok" });
+
+    setLoadConfigMock(() => ({
+      whatsapp: {
+        allowFrom: ["*"],
+        groups: { "*": { requireMention: true } },
+      },
+      routing: {
+        groupChat: { mentionPatterns: ["@global"] },
+        agents: {
+          work: { mentionPatterns: ["@workbot"] },
+        },
+        bindings: [
+          {
+            agentId: "work",
+            match: { provider: "whatsapp", peer: { kind: "group", id: "123@g.us" } },
+          },
+        ],
+      },
+    }));
+
+    let capturedOnMessage:
+      | ((msg: import("./inbound.js").WebInboundMessage) => Promise<void>)
+      | undefined;
+    const listenerFactory = async (opts: {
+      onMessage: (
+        msg: import("./inbound.js").WebInboundMessage,
+      ) => Promise<void>;
+    }) => {
+      capturedOnMessage = opts.onMessage;
+      return { close: vi.fn() };
+    };
+
+    await monitorWebProvider(false, listenerFactory, false, resolver);
+    expect(capturedOnMessage).toBeDefined();
+
+    await capturedOnMessage?.({
+      body: "@global ping",
+      from: "123@g.us",
+      conversationId: "123@g.us",
+      chatId: "123@g.us",
+      chatType: "group",
+      to: "+2",
+      id: "g1",
+      senderE164: "+111",
+      senderName: "Alice",
+      selfE164: "+999",
+      sendComposing,
+      reply,
+      sendMedia,
+    });
+    expect(resolver).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+
+    await capturedOnMessage?.({
+      body: "@workbot ping",
+      from: "123@g.us",
+      conversationId: "123@g.us",
+      chatId: "123@g.us",
+      chatType: "group",
+      to: "+2",
+      id: "g2",
+      senderE164: "+222",
+      senderName: "Bob",
+      selfE164: "+999",
+      sendComposing,
+      reply,
+      sendMedia,
+    });
+    expect(resolver).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
+  });
+
   it("allows group messages when whatsapp groups default disables mention gating", async () => {
     const sendMedia = vi.fn();
     const reply = vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(undefined);

src/web/auto-reply.ts

@@ -162,8 +162,11 @@ type MentionConfig = {
   allowFrom?: Array<string | number>;
 };
 
-function buildMentionConfig(cfg: ReturnType<typeof loadConfig>): MentionConfig {
-  const mentionRegexes = buildMentionRegexes(cfg);
+function buildMentionConfig(
+  cfg: ReturnType<typeof loadConfig>,
+  agentId?: string,
+): MentionConfig {
+  const mentionRegexes = buildMentionRegexes(cfg, agentId);
   return { mentionRegexes, allowFrom: cfg.whatsapp?.allowFrom };
 }
 
@@ -793,7 +796,9 @@ export async function monitorWebProvider(
     tuning.heartbeatSeconds,
   );
   const reconnectPolicy = resolveReconnectPolicy(cfg, tuning.reconnect);
-  const mentionConfig = buildMentionConfig(cfg);
+  const resolveMentionConfig = (agentId?: string) =>
+    buildMentionConfig(cfg, agentId);
+  const baseMentionConfig = resolveMentionConfig();
   const groupHistoryLimit =
     cfg.routing?.groupChat?.historyLimit ?? DEFAULT_GROUP_HISTORY_LIMIT;
   const groupHistories = new Map<
@@ -913,7 +918,7 @@ export async function monitorWebProvider(
   };
 
   const resolveOwnerList = (selfE164?: string | null) => {
-    const allowFrom = mentionConfig.allowFrom;
+    const allowFrom = baseMentionConfig.allowFrom;
     const raw =
       Array.isArray(allowFrom) && allowFrom.length > 0
         ? allowFrom
@@ -943,9 +948,13 @@ export async function monitorWebProvider(
     );
   };
 
-  const stripMentionsForCommand = (text: string, selfE164?: string | null) => {
+  const stripMentionsForCommand = (
+    text: string,
+    mentionRegexes: RegExp[],
+    selfE164?: string | null,
+  ) => {
     let result = text;
-    for (const re of mentionConfig.mentionRegexes) {
+    for (const re of mentionRegexes) {
       result = result.replace(re, " ");
     }
     if (selfE164) {
@@ -1362,7 +1371,12 @@ export async function monitorWebProvider(
             });
           }
           noteGroupMember(groupHistoryKey, msg.senderE164, msg.senderName);
-          const commandBody = stripMentionsForCommand(msg.body, msg.selfE164);
+          const mentionConfig = resolveMentionConfig(route.agentId);
+          const commandBody = stripMentionsForCommand(
+            msg.body,
+            mentionConfig.mentionRegexes,
+            msg.selfE164,
+          );
           const activationCommand = parseActivationCommand(commandBody);
           const isOwner = isOwnerSender(msg);
           const statusCommand = isStatusCommand(commandBody);