> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.polymorfa.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Channels

> Create, follow, publish to, and interact with WhatsApp Channels.

Channels are a broadcast feature class with their own identity, subscription, message, and interaction lifecycle. They are not grouped under WABA features.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Discover and view" icon="magnifying-glass" href="/guides/channels/api/list-channels?playground=open">
    List followed channels, inspect channel details, and read message updates.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Follow and mute" icon="bell" href="/guides/channels/api/follow-channel?playground=open">
    Follow, unfollow, mute, or unmute a channel.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Create and manage" icon="tower-broadcast" href="/guides/channels/api/create-channel?playground=open">
    Create and delete channels owned by the connected account.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Interact" icon="heart" href="/guides/channels/api/react-to-channel-message?playground=open">
    Mark messages viewed, react, and subscribe to live updates.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Message IDs and pagination

Channel messages have a Polymorfa `id` and an exact provider `whatsapp_id`.
Use `id` to mark a message viewed or react to it. These actions require the
message to have been returned by a channel message or update request.

`position` orders messages within the channel. Pass it as `before` when reading
older messages or `after` when reading updates. It is a pagination cursor, not
a message ID. Keep message and channel IDs as strings.