diff --git a/extensions/matrix/src/outbound.ts b/extensions/matrix/src/outbound.ts
index 790056486..54fbb09a2 100644
--- a/extensions/matrix/src/outbound.ts
+++ b/extensions/matrix/src/outbound.ts
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ export const matrixOutbound: ChannelOutboundAdapter = {
     if (!trimmed) {
       return {
         ok: false,
-        error: new Error("Delivering to Matrix requires --to <room|alias|user>"),
+        error: new Error("Delivering to Matrix requires target <room|alias|user>"),
       };
     }
     return { ok: true, to: trimmed };
diff --git a/extensions/msteams/src/outbound.ts b/extensions/msteams/src/outbound.ts
index 063391041..9e46fafbb 100644
--- a/extensions/msteams/src/outbound.ts
+++ b/extensions/msteams/src/outbound.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ export const msteamsOutbound: ChannelOutboundAdapter = {
       return {
         ok: false,
         error: new Error(
-          "Delivering to MS Teams requires --to <conversationId|user:ID|conversation:ID>",
+          "Delivering to MS Teams requires target <conversationId|user:ID|conversation:ID>",
         ),
       };
     }
diff --git a/extensions/msteams/src/send-context.ts b/extensions/msteams/src/send-context.ts
index 327bc37b9..ab4c4e998 100644
--- a/extensions/msteams/src/send-context.ts
+++ b/extensions/msteams/src/send-context.ts
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ export type MSTeamsProactiveContext = {
 };
 
 /**
- * Parse the --to argument into a conversation reference lookup key.
+ * Parse the target value into a conversation reference lookup key.
  * Supported formats:
  * - conversation:19:abc@thread.tacv2 → lookup by conversation ID
  * - user:aad-object-id → lookup by user AAD object ID
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ function parseRecipient(to: string): {
   const finalize = (type: "conversation" | "user", id: string) => {
     const normalized = id.trim();
     if (!normalized) {
-      throw new Error(`Invalid --to value: missing ${type} id`);
+      throw new Error(`Invalid target value: missing ${type} id`);
     }
     return { type, id: normalized };
   };
diff --git a/extensions/zalo/src/channel.ts b/extensions/zalo/src/channel.ts
index fdb3a7ef4..5742ec7e8 100644
--- a/extensions/zalo/src/channel.ts
+++ b/extensions/zalo/src/channel.ts
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ export const zaloPlugin: ChannelPlugin<ResolvedZaloAccount> = {
         return "ZALO_BOT_TOKEN can only be used for the default account.";
       }
       if (!input.useEnv && !input.token && !input.tokenFile) {
-        return "Zalo requires --token or --token-file (or --use-env).";
+        return "Zalo requires targetken or --token-file (or --use-env).";
       }
       return null;
     },
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ export const zaloPlugin: ChannelPlugin<ResolvedZaloAccount> = {
       if (!trimmed) {
         return {
           ok: false,
-          error: new Error("Delivering to Zalo requires --to <chatId>"),
+          error: new Error("Delivering to Zalo requires target <chatId>"),
         };
       }
       return { ok: true, to: trimmed };
diff --git a/extensions/zalouser/README.md b/extensions/zalouser/README.md
index b9edc6dc4..f1af62ce1 100644
--- a/extensions/zalouser/README.md
+++ b/extensions/zalouser/README.md
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ clawdbot channels login --channel zalouser
 ### Send a Message
 
 ```bash
-clawdbot message send --channel zalouser --to <threadId> --message "Hello from Clawdbot!"
+clawdbot message send --channel zalouser --target <threadId> --message "Hello from Clawdbot!"
 ```
 
 ## Configuration
@@ -152,10 +152,10 @@ zca account label <profile> "Work Account"
 
 ```bash
 # Text
-clawdbot message send --channel zalouser --to <threadId> --message "message"
+clawdbot message send --channel zalouser --target <threadId> --message "message"
 
 # Media (URL)
-clawdbot message send --channel zalouser --to <threadId> --message "caption" --media-url "https://example.com/img.jpg"
+clawdbot message send --channel zalouser --target <threadId> --message "caption" --media-url "https://example.com/img.jpg"
 ```
 
 ### Listener
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ Use `--profile` or `-p` to work with multiple accounts:
 
 ```bash
 clawdbot channels login --channel zalouser --account work
-clawdbot message send --channel zalouser --account work --to <id> --message "Hello"
+clawdbot message send --channel zalouser --account work --target <id> --message "Hello"
 ZCA_PROFILE=work zca listen
 ```
 
diff --git a/extensions/zalouser/src/channel.ts b/extensions/zalouser/src/channel.ts
index d578f7ed9..fd4b92ac6 100644
--- a/extensions/zalouser/src/channel.ts
+++ b/extensions/zalouser/src/channel.ts
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ export const zalouserPlugin: ChannelPlugin<ResolvedZalouserAccount> = {
       if (!trimmed) {
         return {
           ok: false,
-          error: new Error("Delivering to Zalouser requires --to <threadId>"),
+          error: new Error("Delivering to Zalouser requires target <threadId>"),
         };
       }
       return { ok: true, to: trimmed };
diff --git a/src/channels/plugins/discord.ts b/src/channels/plugins/discord.ts
index 1b87a5a1f..5f726f292 100644
--- a/src/channels/plugins/discord.ts
+++ b/src/channels/plugins/discord.ts
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ export const discordPlugin: ChannelPlugin<ResolvedDiscordAccount> = {
         return "DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN can only be used for the default account.";
       }
       if (!input.useEnv && !input.token) {
-        return "Discord requires --token (or --use-env).";
+        return "Discord requires targetken (or --use-env).";
       }
       return null;
     },
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ export const discordPlugin: ChannelPlugin<ResolvedDiscordAccount> = {
       if (!trimmed) {
         return {
           ok: false,
-          error: new Error("Delivering to Discord requires --to <channelId|user:ID|channel:ID>"),
+          error: new Error("Delivering to Discord requires target <channelId|user:ID|channel:ID>"),
         };
       }
       return { ok: true, to: trimmed };
diff --git a/src/channels/plugins/imessage.ts b/src/channels/plugins/imessage.ts
index 6436d1782..0a52ffa36 100644
--- a/src/channels/plugins/imessage.ts
+++ b/src/channels/plugins/imessage.ts
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ export const imessagePlugin: ChannelPlugin<ResolvedIMessageAccount> = {
       if (!trimmed) {
         return {
           ok: false,
-          error: new Error("Delivering to iMessage requires --to <handle|chat_id:ID>"),
+          error: new Error("Delivering to iMessage requires target <handle|chat_id:ID>"),
         };
       }
       return { ok: true, to: trimmed };
diff --git a/src/channels/plugins/outbound/discord.ts b/src/channels/plugins/outbound/discord.ts
index c1d2cd4b5..7f76b6c72 100644
--- a/src/channels/plugins/outbound/discord.ts
+++ b/src/channels/plugins/outbound/discord.ts
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ export const discordOutbound: ChannelOutboundAdapter = {
     if (!trimmed) {
       return {
         ok: false,
-        error: new Error("Delivering to Discord requires --to <channelId|user:ID|channel:ID>"),
+        error: new Error("Delivering to Discord requires target <channelId|user:ID|channel:ID>"),
       };
     }
     return { ok: true, to: trimmed };
diff --git a/src/channels/plugins/outbound/imessage.ts b/src/channels/plugins/outbound/imessage.ts
index efebe1994..89389b230 100644
--- a/src/channels/plugins/outbound/imessage.ts
+++ b/src/channels/plugins/outbound/imessage.ts
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ export const imessageOutbound: ChannelOutboundAdapter = {
     if (!trimmed) {
       return {
         ok: false,
-        error: new Error("Delivering to iMessage requires --to <handle|chat_id:ID>"),
+        error: new Error("Delivering to iMessage requires target <handle|chat_id:ID>"),
       };
     }
     return { ok: true, to: trimmed };
diff --git a/src/channels/plugins/outbound/signal.ts b/src/channels/plugins/outbound/signal.ts
index b8889e933..366b66231 100644
--- a/src/channels/plugins/outbound/signal.ts
+++ b/src/channels/plugins/outbound/signal.ts
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ export const signalOutbound: ChannelOutboundAdapter = {
       return {
         ok: false,
         error: new Error(
-          "Delivering to Signal requires --to <E.164|group:ID|signal:group:ID|signal:+E.164>",
+          "Delivering to Signal requires target <E.164|group:ID|signal:group:ID|signal:+E.164>",
         ),
       };
     }
diff --git a/src/channels/plugins/outbound/slack.ts b/src/channels/plugins/outbound/slack.ts
index 48bfc58c4..63fc2e540 100644
--- a/src/channels/plugins/outbound/slack.ts
+++ b/src/channels/plugins/outbound/slack.ts
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ export const slackOutbound: ChannelOutboundAdapter = {
     if (!trimmed) {
       return {
         ok: false,
-        error: new Error("Delivering to Slack requires --to <channelId|user:ID|channel:ID>"),
+        error: new Error("Delivering to Slack requires target <channelId|user:ID|channel:ID>"),
       };
     }
     return { ok: true, to: trimmed };
diff --git a/src/channels/plugins/outbound/telegram.ts b/src/channels/plugins/outbound/telegram.ts
index 931b9a1e6..cb6f5529d 100644
--- a/src/channels/plugins/outbound/telegram.ts
+++ b/src/channels/plugins/outbound/telegram.ts
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ export const telegramOutbound: ChannelOutboundAdapter = {
     if (!trimmed) {
       return {
         ok: false,
-        error: new Error("Delivering to Telegram requires --to <chatId>"),
+        error: new Error("Delivering to Telegram requires target <chatId>"),
       };
     }
     return { ok: true, to: trimmed };
diff --git a/src/channels/plugins/outbound/whatsapp.ts b/src/channels/plugins/outbound/whatsapp.ts
index 693c7849d..495c0bdaa 100644
--- a/src/channels/plugins/outbound/whatsapp.ts
+++ b/src/channels/plugins/outbound/whatsapp.ts
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ export const whatsappOutbound: ChannelOutboundAdapter = {
         return {
           ok: false,
           error: new Error(
-            "Delivering to WhatsApp requires --to <E.164|group JID> or channels.whatsapp.allowFrom[0]",
+            "Delivering to WhatsApp requires target <E.164|group JID> or channels.whatsapp.allowFrom[0]",
           ),
         };
       }
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ export const whatsappOutbound: ChannelOutboundAdapter = {
     return {
       ok: false,
       error: new Error(
-        "Delivering to WhatsApp requires --to <E.164|group JID> or channels.whatsapp.allowFrom[0]",
+        "Delivering to WhatsApp requires target <E.164|group JID> or channels.whatsapp.allowFrom[0]",
       ),
     };
   },
diff --git a/src/channels/plugins/signal.ts b/src/channels/plugins/signal.ts
index 823fd1db2..7692a038d 100644
--- a/src/channels/plugins/signal.ts
+++ b/src/channels/plugins/signal.ts
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ export const signalPlugin: ChannelPlugin<ResolvedSignalAccount> = {
         return {
           ok: false,
           error: new Error(
-            "Delivering to Signal requires --to <E.164|group:ID|signal:group:ID|signal:+E.164>",
+            "Delivering to Signal requires target <E.164|group:ID|signal:group:ID|signal:+E.164>",
           ),
         };
       }
diff --git a/src/channels/plugins/slack.ts b/src/channels/plugins/slack.ts
index cade740d8..c82cea5a2 100644
--- a/src/channels/plugins/slack.ts
+++ b/src/channels/plugins/slack.ts
@@ -497,7 +497,7 @@ export const slackPlugin: ChannelPlugin<ResolvedSlackAccount> = {
       if (!trimmed) {
         return {
           ok: false,
-          error: new Error("Delivering to Slack requires --to <channelId|user:ID|channel:ID>"),
+          error: new Error("Delivering to Slack requires target <channelId|user:ID|channel:ID>"),
         };
       }
       return { ok: true, to: trimmed };
diff --git a/src/channels/plugins/telegram.ts b/src/channels/plugins/telegram.ts
index f157bd210..941c73d9a 100644
--- a/src/channels/plugins/telegram.ts
+++ b/src/channels/plugins/telegram.ts
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ export const telegramPlugin: ChannelPlugin<ResolvedTelegramAccount> = {
         return "TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN can only be used for the default account.";
       }
       if (!input.useEnv && !input.token && !input.tokenFile) {
-        return "Telegram requires --token or --token-file (or --use-env).";
+        return "Telegram requires targetken or --token-file (or --use-env).";
       }
       return null;
     },
@@ -285,7 +285,7 @@ export const telegramPlugin: ChannelPlugin<ResolvedTelegramAccount> = {
       if (!trimmed) {
         return {
           ok: false,
-          error: new Error("Delivering to Telegram requires --to <chatId>"),
+          error: new Error("Delivering to Telegram requires target <chatId>"),
         };
       }
       return { ok: true, to: trimmed };
diff --git a/src/channels/plugins/whatsapp.ts b/src/channels/plugins/whatsapp.ts
index 6699f5ab6..0c4171c79 100644
--- a/src/channels/plugins/whatsapp.ts
+++ b/src/channels/plugins/whatsapp.ts
@@ -316,7 +316,7 @@ export const whatsappPlugin: ChannelPlugin<ResolvedWhatsAppAccount> = {
           return {
             ok: false,
             error: new Error(
-              "Delivering to WhatsApp requires --to <E.164|group JID> or channels.whatsapp.allowFrom[0]",
+              "Delivering to WhatsApp requires target <E.164|group JID> or channels.whatsapp.allowFrom[0]",
             ),
           };
         }
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ export const whatsappPlugin: ChannelPlugin<ResolvedWhatsAppAccount> = {
       return {
         ok: false,
         error: new Error(
-          "Delivering to WhatsApp requires --to <E.164|group JID> or channels.whatsapp.allowFrom[0]",
+          "Delivering to WhatsApp requires target <E.164|group JID> or channels.whatsapp.allowFrom[0]",
         ),
       };
     },