Add reaction tool with typing/placeholder cleanup

Introduces a new `reaction` tool that lets the LLM add an emoji reaction
to a Telegram message instead of sending a text reply. When the reaction
tool (or message tool) handles a turn, CleanupState is now called on the
channel manager so typing indicators and placeholder messages are properly
removed even though no outbound message is published via the bus.

config/config.example.json

@@ -57,6 +57,23 @@
       "allow_from": [
         "YOUR_USER_ID"
       ],
+      "allowed_reaction_emoji": [
+        "👍",
+        "👎",
+        "❤️",
+        "🔥",
+        "🥰",
+        "👏",
+        "😁",
+        "🤔",
+        "🤯",
+        "😱",
+        "🤬",
+        "😢",
+        "🎉",
+        "🤩",
+        "🤮"
+      ],
       "reasoning_channel_id": ""
     },
     "discord": {
@@ -432,6 +449,9 @@
     "message": {
       "enabled": true
     },
+    "reaction": {
+      "enabled": true
+    },
     "read_file": {
       "enabled": true
     },

pkg/agent/loop.go

@@ -67,8 +67,9 @@ type processOptions struct {
 }
 
 type agentResponse struct {
-	Content          string
+	Content           string
-	ReplyToMessageID string
+	ReplyToMessageID  string
+	HandledExternally bool
 }
 
 func (r agentResponse) outboundMessage(channel, chatID string) bus.OutboundMessage {
@@ -200,6 +201,9 @@ func registerSharedTools(
 			})
 			agent.Tools.Register(messageTool)
 		}
+		if cfg.Tools.IsToolEnabled("reaction") {
+			agent.Tools.Register(tools.NewReactionTool([]string(cfg.Channels.Telegram.AllowedReactionEmoji)))
+		}
 
 		// Send file tool (outbound media via MediaStore — store injected later by SetMediaStore)
 		if cfg.Tools.IsToolEnabled("send_file") {
@@ -359,30 +363,13 @@ func (al *AgentLoop) Run(ctx context.Context) error {
 					response = agentResponse{Content: fmt.Sprintf("Error processing message: %v", err)}
 				}
 
-				if response.Content != "" {
+				if response.HandledExternally {
-					// Check if the message tool already sent a response during this round.
+					// A direct tool action (message or reaction) already sent user-facing output.
-					// If so, skip publishing to avoid duplicate messages to the user.
+					// Stop typing and delete placeholder since no outbound message will trigger preSend.
-					// Use default agent's tools to check (message tool is shared).
+					if al.channelManager != nil {
-					alreadySent := false
+						al.channelManager.CleanupState(ctx, msg.Channel, msg.ChatID)
-					defaultAgent := al.registry.GetDefaultAgent()
-					if defaultAgent != nil {
-						if tool, ok := defaultAgent.Tools.Get("message"); ok {
-							if mt, ok := tool.(*tools.MessageTool); ok {
-								alreadySent = mt.HasSentInRound()
-							}
-						}
 					}
-
+					if response.Content != "" {
-					if !alreadySent {
-						al.bus.PublishOutbound(ctx, response.outboundMessage(msg.Channel, msg.ChatID))
-						logger.InfoCF("agent", "Published outbound response",
-							map[string]any{
-								"channel":             msg.Channel,
-								"chat_id":             msg.ChatID,
-								"content_len":         len(response.Content),
-								"reply_to_message_id": response.ReplyToMessageID,
-							})
-					} else {
 						logger.DebugCF(
 							"agent",
 							"Skipped outbound (message tool already sent)",
@@ -394,6 +381,15 @@ func (al *AgentLoop) Run(ctx context.Context) error {
 							},
 						)
 					}
+				} else if response.Content != "" {
+					al.bus.PublishOutbound(ctx, response.outboundMessage(msg.Channel, msg.ChatID))
+					logger.InfoCF("agent", "Published outbound response",
+						map[string]any{
+							"channel":             msg.Channel,
+							"chat_id":             msg.ChatID,
+							"content_len":         len(response.Content),
+							"reply_to_message_id": response.ReplyToMessageID,
+						})
 				}
 			}()
 		}
@@ -417,6 +413,7 @@ func (al *AgentLoop) RegisterTool(tool tools.Tool) {
 func (al *AgentLoop) SetChannelManager(cm *channels.Manager) {
 	al.channelManager = cm
 	al.bindAdvancedMessageManagers(cm)
+	al.bindReactionTools(cm)
 }
 
 // bindAdvancedMessageManagers wires up channel callbacks to any tools that
@@ -442,6 +439,16 @@ func (al *AgentLoop) bindAdvancedMessageManagers(cm *channels.Manager) {
 	})
 }
 
+func (al *AgentLoop) bindReactionTools(cm *channels.Manager) {
+	al.registry.ForEachTool("reaction", func(t tools.Tool) {
+		if rt, ok := t.(*tools.ReactionTool); ok {
+			rt.SetReactionCallback(func(ctx context.Context, channel, chatID, messageID, emoji string) error {
+				return cm.SetMessageReaction(ctx, channel, chatID, messageID, emoji)
+			})
+		}
+	})
+}
+
 // SetMediaStore injects a MediaStore for media lifecycle management.
 func (al *AgentLoop) SetMediaStore(s media.MediaStore) {
 	al.mediaStore = s
@@ -459,6 +466,39 @@ func (al *AgentLoop) SetTranscriber(t voice.Transcriber) {
 	al.transcriber = t
 }
 
+func (al *AgentLoop) agentTurnHandledByDirectToolAction(agent *AgentInstance) bool {
+	if agent == nil {
+		return false
+	}
+	if tool, ok := agent.Tools.Get("message"); ok {
+		if mt, ok := tool.(*tools.MessageTool); ok && mt.HasSentInRound() {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	if tool, ok := agent.Tools.Get("reaction"); ok {
+		if rt, ok := tool.(*tools.ReactionTool); ok && rt.HasHandledInRound() {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+func (al *AgentLoop) resetRoundActionTools(agent *AgentInstance) {
+	if agent == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if tool, ok := agent.Tools.Get("message"); ok {
+		if resetter, ok := tool.(interface{ ResetSentInRound() }); ok {
+			resetter.ResetSentInRound()
+		}
+	}
+	if tool, ok := agent.Tools.Get("reaction"); ok {
+		if resetter, ok := tool.(interface{ ResetHandledInRound() }); ok {
+			resetter.ResetHandledInRound()
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 var audioAnnotationRe = regexp.MustCompile(`\[(voice|audio)(?::[^\]]*)?\]`)
 
 // transcribeAudioInMessage resolves audio media refs, transcribes them, and
@@ -644,12 +684,7 @@ func (al *AgentLoop) processMessage(ctx context.Context, msg bus.InboundMessage)
 		return agentResponse{}, routeErr
 	}
 
-	// Reset message-tool state for this round so we don't skip publishing due to a previous round.
+	al.resetRoundActionTools(agent)
-	if tool, ok := agent.Tools.Get("message"); ok {
-		if resetter, ok := tool.(interface{ ResetSentInRound() }); ok {
-			resetter.ResetSentInRound()
-		}
-	}
 
 	// Resolve session key from route, while preserving explicit agent-scoped keys.
 	scopeKey := resolveScopeKey(route, msg.SessionKey)
@@ -847,16 +882,19 @@ func (al *AgentLoop) runAgentLoop(
 	// This is controlled by the tool's Silent flag and ForUser content
 
 	// 4. Handle empty response
-	if finalContent == "" {
+	directActionHandled := al.agentTurnHandledByDirectToolAction(agent)
+	if finalContent == "" && !directActionHandled {
 		finalContent = opts.DefaultResponse
 	}
 	response := resolveFinalResponse(opts.Channel, opts.ReplyContext, finalContent)
-	if response.Content == "" {
+	if response.Content == "" && !directActionHandled {
 		response.Content = opts.DefaultResponse
 	}
 
 	// 5. Save final assistant message to session
-	agent.Sessions.AddMessage(opts.SessionKey, "assistant", response.Content)
+	if response.Content != "" {
+		agent.Sessions.AddMessage(opts.SessionKey, "assistant", response.Content)
+	}
 	agent.Sessions.Save(opts.SessionKey)
 
 	// 6. Optional: summarization
@@ -865,7 +903,7 @@ func (al *AgentLoop) runAgentLoop(
 	}
 
 	// 7. Optional: send response via bus
-	if opts.SendResponse {
+	if opts.SendResponse && response.Content != "" {
 		al.bus.PublishOutbound(ctx, response.outboundMessage(opts.Channel, opts.ChatID))
 	}
 
@@ -879,6 +917,7 @@ func (al *AgentLoop) runAgentLoop(
 			"final_length": len(response.Content),
 		})
 
+	response.HandledExternally = directActionHandled
 	return response, nil
 }
 
@@ -1061,7 +1100,7 @@ func (al *AgentLoop) runLLMIteration(
 			})
 
 		// Build tool definitions
-		providerToolDefs := agent.Tools.ToProviderDefs()
+		providerToolDefs := agent.Tools.ToProviderDefsWithContext(ctx, opts.Channel, opts.ChatID)
 
 		// Log LLM request details
 		logger.DebugCF("agent", "LLM request",

pkg/agent/loop_test.go

@@ -438,6 +438,42 @@ func (m *taskToolRaceMockProvider) GetDefaultModel() string {
 	return "tasktool-race-mock-model"
 }
 
+type reactionToolMockProvider struct {
+	calls int
+}
+
+func (m *reactionToolMockProvider) Chat(
+	ctx context.Context,
+	messages []providers.Message,
+	tools []providers.ToolDefinition,
+	model string,
+	opts map[string]any,
+) (*providers.LLMResponse, error) {
+	m.calls++
+	if m.calls == 1 {
+		return &providers.LLMResponse{
+			ToolCalls: []providers.ToolCall{
+				{
+					ID:   "call_reaction",
+					Name: "reaction",
+					Arguments: map[string]any{
+						"emoji": "❤️",
+					},
+				},
+			},
+		}, nil
+	}
+
+	return &providers.LLMResponse{
+		Content:   "",
+		ToolCalls: []providers.ToolCall{},
+	}, nil
+}
+
+func (m *reactionToolMockProvider) GetDefaultModel() string {
+	return "reaction-tool-mock-model"
+}
+
 type blockingSequentialTaskTool struct {
 	inner         *tools.TaskTool
 	createOnce    sync.Once
@@ -946,6 +982,82 @@ func TestToolResult_UserFacingToolDoesSendMessage(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestReactionTool_SuppressesDefaultFinalResponse(t *testing.T) {
+	tmpDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "agent-test-*")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Failed to create temp dir: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer os.RemoveAll(tmpDir)
+
+	cfg := config.DefaultConfig()
+	cfg.Agents.Defaults.Workspace = tmpDir
+	cfg.Agents.Defaults.Model = "test-model"
+	cfg.Agents.Defaults.MaxTokens = 4096
+	cfg.Agents.Defaults.MaxToolIterations = 4
+
+	msgBus := bus.NewMessageBus()
+	provider := &reactionToolMockProvider{}
+	al := NewAgentLoop(cfg, msgBus, provider)
+	helper := testHelper{al: al}
+
+	defaultAgent := al.registry.GetDefaultAgent()
+	tool, ok := defaultAgent.Tools.Get("reaction")
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("expected reaction tool to be registered")
+	}
+	rt, ok := tool.(*tools.ReactionTool)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("reaction tool type = %T", tool)
+	}
+
+	var calls int
+	rt.SetReactionCallback(func(ctx context.Context, channel, chatID, messageID, emoji string) error {
+		calls++
+		if channel != "telegram" || chatID != "chat1" || messageID != "910" || emoji != "❤️" {
+			t.Fatalf("unexpected callback args channel=%q chatID=%q messageID=%q emoji=%q", channel, chatID, messageID, emoji)
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+
+	response := helper.executeAndGetResponse(t, context.Background(), bus.InboundMessage{
+		Channel:   "telegram",
+		SenderID:  "user1",
+		ChatID:    "chat1",
+		Content:   "thanks",
+		MessageID: "910",
+	})
+
+	if calls != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("reaction callback calls = %d, want 1", calls)
+	}
+	if response != "" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected empty final response after reaction tool, got %q", response)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestReactionTool_BecomesAvailableForTelegramAfterChannelManagerBinding(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := config.DefaultConfig()
+	cfg.Channels.Telegram.Enabled = true
+
+	al := NewAgentLoop(cfg, bus.NewMessageBus(), nil)
+	defaultAgent := al.registry.GetDefaultAgent()
+	if defaultAgent == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected default agent")
+	}
+
+	before := defaultAgent.Tools.ToProviderDefsWithContext(context.Background(), "telegram", "chat1")
+	if slices.ContainsFunc(before, func(def providers.ToolDefinition) bool { return def.Function.Name == "reaction" }) {
+		t.Fatal("reaction tool should not be available before channel manager binding")
+	}
+
+	al.SetChannelManager(&channels.Manager{})
+
+	after := defaultAgent.Tools.ToProviderDefsWithContext(context.Background(), "telegram", "chat1")
+	if !slices.ContainsFunc(after, func(def providers.ToolDefinition) bool { return def.Function.Name == "reaction" }) {
+		t.Fatal("reaction tool should be available for telegram after channel manager binding")
+	}
+}
+
 func TestTaskTool_DirectModeWithoutChannelManagerReturnsPlan(t *testing.T) {
 	tmpDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "agent-test-*")
 	if err != nil {

pkg/channels/interfaces.go

@@ -26,13 +26,20 @@ type MessageDeleter interface {
 	DeleteMessage(ctx context.Context, chatID string, messageID string) error
 }
 
-// ReactionCapable — channels that can add a reaction (e.g. 👀) to an inbound message.
+// ReactionCapable — channels that can add a temporary reaction (e.g. 👀) to an
+// inbound message as a processing indicator.
 // ReactToMessage adds a reaction and returns an undo function to remove it.
 // The undo function MUST be idempotent and safe to call multiple times.
 type ReactionCapable interface {
 	ReactToMessage(ctx context.Context, chatID, messageID string) (undo func(), err error)
 }
 
+// MessageReactor — channels that can set an explicit emoji reaction on a
+// specific message as a final user-visible action.
+type MessageReactor interface {
+	SetMessageReaction(ctx context.Context, chatID, messageID, emoji string) error
+}
+
 // PlaceholderCapable — channels that can send a placeholder message
 // (e.g. "Thinking... 💭") that will later be edited to the actual response.
 // The channel MUST also implement MessageEditor for the placeholder to be useful.

pkg/channels/manager.go

@@ -115,6 +115,46 @@ func (m *Manager) RecordReactionUndo(channel, chatID string, undo func()) {
 	m.reactionUndos.Store(key, reactionEntry{undo: undo, createdAt: time.Now()})
 }
 
+// CleanupState stops typing, undoes any reaction indicator, and deletes the placeholder
+// for the given channel+chatID without sending a response message.
+// Called when the agent completes a turn via a direct tool action (e.g. reaction tool)
+// that produces no outbound message, so preSend never runs.
+func (m *Manager) CleanupState(ctx context.Context, channelName, chatID string) {
+	key := channelName + ":" + chatID
+
+	if v, loaded := m.typingStops.LoadAndDelete(key); loaded {
+		if entry, ok := v.(typingEntry); ok {
+			entry.stop()
+		}
+	}
+
+	if v, loaded := m.reactionUndos.LoadAndDelete(key); loaded {
+		if entry, ok := v.(reactionEntry); ok {
+			entry.undo()
+		}
+	}
+
+	if v, loaded := m.placeholders.LoadAndDelete(key); loaded {
+		if entry, ok := v.(placeholderEntry); ok && entry.id != "" {
+			ch, ok := m.GetChannel(channelName)
+			if !ok {
+				return
+			}
+			if deleter, ok := ch.(MessageDeleter); ok {
+				if err := deleter.DeleteMessage(ctx, chatID, entry.id); err != nil {
+					logger.WarnCF("manager", "Failed to delete placeholder after tool action",
+						map[string]any{
+							"channel":        channelName,
+							"chat_id":        chatID,
+							"placeholder_id": entry.id,
+							"error":          err.Error(),
+						})
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 // preSend handles typing stop, reaction undo, and placeholder editing before sending a message.
 // Returns true if the message was edited into a placeholder (skip Send).
 func (m *Manager) preSend(ctx context.Context, name string, msg bus.OutboundMessage, ch Channel) bool {
@@ -900,3 +940,17 @@ func (m *Manager) EditMessage(ctx context.Context, channelName, chatID, messageI
 	}
 	return editor.EditMessage(ctx, chatID, messageID, content)
 }
+
+// SetMessageReaction synchronously adds an explicit emoji reaction to a
+// specific message if the channel supports MessageReactor.
+func (m *Manager) SetMessageReaction(ctx context.Context, channelName, chatID, messageID, emoji string) error {
+	ch, ok := m.GetChannel(channelName)
+	if !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("channel %s not found", channelName)
+	}
+	reactor, ok := ch.(MessageReactor)
+	if !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("channel %s does not support message reactions", channelName)
+	}
+	return reactor.SetMessageReaction(ctx, chatID, messageID, emoji)
+}

pkg/channels/telegram/telegram.go

@@ -339,6 +339,34 @@ func (c *TelegramChannel) DeleteMessage(ctx context.Context, chatID string, mess
 	return nil
 }
 
+// SetMessageReaction implements channels.MessageReactor.
+func (c *TelegramChannel) SetMessageReaction(ctx context.Context, chatID, messageID, emoji string) error {
+	if !c.IsRunning() {
+		return channels.ErrNotRunning
+	}
+
+	target, err := parseTelegramTarget(chatID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid chat ID %s: %w", chatID, channels.ErrSendFailed)
+	}
+	messageIDs, err := parseTelegramMessageIDs(messageID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("invalid message ID %s: %w", messageID, channels.ErrSendFailed)
+	}
+	if len(messageIDs) != 1 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("telegram react: expected a single message ID: %w", channels.ErrSendFailed)
+	}
+
+	if err := c.bot.SetMessageReaction(ctx, (&telego.SetMessageReactionParams{}).
+		WithChatID(tu.ID(target.ChatID)).
+		WithMessageID(messageIDs[0]).
+		WithReaction(tu.ReactionEmoji(emoji))); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("telegram react: %w", channels.ErrTemporary)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
 // SendPlaceholder implements channels.PlaceholderCapable.
 // It sends a placeholder message (e.g. "Thinking... 💭") that will later be
 // edited to the actual response via EditMessage (channels.MessageEditor).

pkg/channels/telegram/telegram_test.go

@@ -79,6 +79,11 @@ func successResponseWithID(t *testing.T, id int) *ta.Response {
 	return &ta.Response{Ok: true, Result: b}
 }
 
+func successBoolResponse(t *testing.T) *ta.Response {
+	t.Helper()
+	return &ta.Response{Ok: true, Result: []byte("true")}
+}
+
 // newTestChannel creates a TelegramChannel with a mocked bot for unit testing.
 func newTestChannel(t *testing.T, caller *stubCaller) *TelegramChannel {
 	t.Helper()
@@ -343,6 +348,29 @@ func TestEditMessage_MultipleChunkIDs(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Len(t, caller.calls, 2, "multi-part edit should update every tracked message")
 }
 
+func TestSetMessageReaction_SendsConfiguredEmoji(t *testing.T) {
+	caller := &stubCaller{
+		callFn: func(ctx context.Context, url string, data *ta.RequestData) (*ta.Response, error) {
+			return successBoolResponse(t), nil
+		},
+	}
+	ch := newTestChannel(t, caller)
+
+	err := ch.SetMessageReaction(context.Background(), "12345", "99", "❤️")
+
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	require.Len(t, caller.calls, 1)
+	body := decodeCallBody(t, caller.calls[0])
+	assert.Equal(t, float64(99), body["message_id"])
+	reaction, ok := body["reaction"].([]any)
+	require.True(t, ok)
+	require.Len(t, reaction, 1)
+	first, ok := reaction[0].(map[string]any)
+	require.True(t, ok)
+	assert.Equal(t, "emoji", first["type"])
+	assert.Equal(t, "❤️", first["emoji"])
+}
+
 func TestStartTyping_ForumTopic_UsesThreadID(t *testing.T) {
 	caller := &stubCaller{
 		callFn: func(ctx context.Context, url string, data *ta.RequestData) (*ta.Response, error) {

pkg/config/config.go

@@ -262,16 +262,17 @@ type WhatsAppConfig struct {
 }
 
 type TelegramConfig struct {
-	Enabled            bool                           `json:"enabled"                 env:"PICOCLAW_CHANNELS_TELEGRAM_ENABLED"`
+	Enabled              bool                           `json:"enabled"                 env:"PICOCLAW_CHANNELS_TELEGRAM_ENABLED"`
-	Token              string                         `json:"token"                   env:"PICOCLAW_CHANNELS_TELEGRAM_TOKEN"`
+	Token                string                         `json:"token"                   env:"PICOCLAW_CHANNELS_TELEGRAM_TOKEN"`
-	BaseURL            string                         `json:"base_url"                env:"PICOCLAW_CHANNELS_TELEGRAM_BASE_URL"`
+	BaseURL              string                         `json:"base_url"                env:"PICOCLAW_CHANNELS_TELEGRAM_BASE_URL"`
-	Proxy              string                         `json:"proxy"                   env:"PICOCLAW_CHANNELS_TELEGRAM_PROXY"`
+	Proxy                string                         `json:"proxy"                   env:"PICOCLAW_CHANNELS_TELEGRAM_PROXY"`
-	AllowFrom          FlexibleStringSlice            `json:"allow_from"              env:"PICOCLAW_CHANNELS_TELEGRAM_ALLOW_FROM"`
+	AllowFrom            FlexibleStringSlice            `json:"allow_from"              env:"PICOCLAW_CHANNELS_TELEGRAM_ALLOW_FROM"`
-	Groups             map[string]TelegramGroupConfig `json:"groups,omitempty"`
+	AllowedReactionEmoji FlexibleStringSlice            `json:"allowed_reaction_emoji"  env:"PICOCLAW_CHANNELS_TELEGRAM_ALLOWED_REACTION_EMOJI"`
-	GroupTrigger       GroupTriggerConfig             `json:"group_trigger,omitempty"`
+	Groups               map[string]TelegramGroupConfig `json:"groups,omitempty"`
-	Typing             TypingConfig                   `json:"typing,omitempty"`
+	GroupTrigger         GroupTriggerConfig             `json:"group_trigger,omitempty"`
-	Placeholder        PlaceholderConfig              `json:"placeholder,omitempty"`
+	Typing               TypingConfig                   `json:"typing,omitempty"`
-	ReasoningChannelID string                         `json:"reasoning_channel_id"    env:"PICOCLAW_CHANNELS_TELEGRAM_REASONING_CHANNEL_ID"`
+	Placeholder          PlaceholderConfig              `json:"placeholder,omitempty"`
+	ReasoningChannelID   string                         `json:"reasoning_channel_id"    env:"PICOCLAW_CHANNELS_TELEGRAM_REASONING_CHANNEL_ID"`
 }
 
 type TelegramTopicConfig struct {
@@ -295,6 +296,30 @@ type FeishuConfig struct {
 	RandomReactionEmoji FlexibleStringSlice `json:"random_reaction_emoji"   env:"PICOCLAW_CHANNELS_FEISHU_RANDOM_REACTION_EMOJI"`
 }
 
+var defaultTelegramReactionEmoji = FlexibleStringSlice{
+	"👍",
+	"👎",
+	"❤️",
+	"🔥",
+	"🥰",
+	"👏",
+	"😁",
+	"🤔",
+	"🤯",
+	"😱",
+	"🤬",
+	"😢",
+	"🎉",
+	"🤩",
+	"🤮",
+}
+
+func DefaultTelegramReactionEmoji() FlexibleStringSlice {
+	emojis := make(FlexibleStringSlice, len(defaultTelegramReactionEmoji))
+	copy(emojis, defaultTelegramReactionEmoji)
+	return emojis
+}
+
 type DiscordConfig struct {
 	Enabled            bool                `json:"enabled"                 env:"PICOCLAW_CHANNELS_DISCORD_ENABLED"`
 	Token              string              `json:"token"                   env:"PICOCLAW_CHANNELS_DISCORD_TOKEN"`
@@ -692,6 +717,7 @@ type ToolsConfig struct {
 	InstallSkill    ToolConfig         `json:"install_skill"                                            envPrefix:"PICOCLAW_TOOLS_INSTALL_SKILL_"`
 	ListDir         ToolConfig         `json:"list_dir"                                                 envPrefix:"PICOCLAW_TOOLS_LIST_DIR_"`
 	Message         ToolConfig         `json:"message"                                                  envPrefix:"PICOCLAW_TOOLS_MESSAGE_"`
+	Reaction        ToolConfig         `json:"reaction"                                                 envPrefix:"PICOCLAW_TOOLS_REACTION_"`
 	ReadFile        ReadFileToolConfig `json:"read_file"                                                envPrefix:"PICOCLAW_TOOLS_READ_FILE_"`
 	SendFile        ToolConfig         `json:"send_file"                                                envPrefix:"PICOCLAW_TOOLS_SEND_FILE_"`
 	Spawn           ToolConfig         `json:"spawn"                                                    envPrefix:"PICOCLAW_TOOLS_SPAWN_"`
@@ -970,6 +996,8 @@ func (t *ToolsConfig) IsToolEnabled(name string) bool {
 		return t.ListDir.Enabled
 	case "message":
 		return t.Message.Enabled
+	case "reaction":
+		return t.Reaction.Enabled
 	case "read_file":
 		return t.ReadFile.Enabled
 	case "spawn":

pkg/config/config_test.go

@@ -493,6 +493,20 @@ func TestDefaultConfig_DMScope(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestDefaultConfig_TelegramReactionEmojiDefaults(t *testing.T) {
+	cfg := DefaultConfig()
+
+	if len(cfg.Channels.Telegram.AllowedReactionEmoji) != 15 {
+		t.Fatalf("AllowedReactionEmoji len = %d, want 15", len(cfg.Channels.Telegram.AllowedReactionEmoji))
+	}
+	if cfg.Channels.Telegram.AllowedReactionEmoji[0] != "👍" {
+		t.Fatalf("first AllowedReactionEmoji = %q, want %q", cfg.Channels.Telegram.AllowedReactionEmoji[0], "👍")
+	}
+	if !cfg.Tools.Reaction.Enabled {
+		t.Fatal("DefaultConfig().Tools.Reaction.Enabled should be true")
+	}
+}
+
 func TestDefaultConfig_WorkspacePath_Default(t *testing.T) {
 	// Unset to ensure we test the default
 	t.Setenv("PICOCLAW_HOME", "")

pkg/config/defaults.go

@@ -50,10 +50,11 @@ func DefaultConfig() *Config {
 				AllowFrom:        FlexibleStringSlice{},
 			},
 			Telegram: TelegramConfig{
-				Enabled:   false,
+				Enabled:              false,
-				Token:     "",
+				Token:                "",
-				AllowFrom: FlexibleStringSlice{},
+				AllowFrom:            FlexibleStringSlice{},
-				Typing:    TypingConfig{Enabled: true},
+				AllowedReactionEmoji: DefaultTelegramReactionEmoji(),
+				Typing:               TypingConfig{Enabled: true},
 				Placeholder: PlaceholderConfig{
 					Enabled: true,
 					Text:    "Thinking... 💭",
@@ -466,6 +467,9 @@ func DefaultConfig() *Config {
 			Message: ToolConfig{
 				Enabled: true,
 			},
+			Reaction: ToolConfig{
+				Enabled: true,
+			},
 			ReadFile: ReadFileToolConfig{
 				Enabled:         true,
 				MaxReadFileSize: 64 * 1024, // 64KB

pkg/tools/base.go

@@ -127,6 +127,13 @@ type SequentialTool interface {
 	ExecuteSequentially() bool
 }
 
+// AvailabilityAwareTool marks tools whose visibility depends on the current
+// request context, such as channel-specific tools.
+type AvailabilityAwareTool interface {
+	Tool
+	Available(ctx context.Context) bool
+}
+
 func ToolToSchema(tool Tool) map[string]any {
 	return map[string]any{
 		"type": "function",

pkg/tools/reaction.go

@@ -0,0 +1,184 @@
+package tools
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+	"sync/atomic"
+
+	"github.com/sipeed/picoclaw/pkg/config"
+)
+
+type ReactionCallback func(ctx context.Context, channel, chatID, messageID, emoji string) error
+
+const (
+	reactionTargetCurrent = "current"
+	reactionTargetParent  = "parent"
+	reactionTargetMessage = "message_id"
+)
+
+type ReactionTool struct {
+	allowedEmoji   []string
+	reactCallback  ReactionCallback
+	handledInRound atomic.Bool
+}
+
+func NewReactionTool(allowedEmoji []string) *ReactionTool {
+	emoji := normalizeAllowedEmoji(allowedEmoji)
+	if len(emoji) == 0 {
+		emoji = normalizeAllowedEmoji([]string(config.DefaultTelegramReactionEmoji()))
+	}
+	return &ReactionTool{allowedEmoji: emoji}
+}
+
+func normalizeAllowedEmoji(values []string) []string {
+	seen := make(map[string]struct{}, len(values))
+	out := make([]string, 0, len(values))
+	for _, value := range values {
+		value = strings.TrimSpace(value)
+		if value == "" {
+			continue
+		}
+		if _, ok := seen[value]; ok {
+			continue
+		}
+		seen[value] = struct{}{}
+		out = append(out, value)
+	}
+	return out
+}
+
+func (t *ReactionTool) Name() string {
+	return "reaction"
+}
+
+func (t *ReactionTool) Description() string {
+	if len(t.allowedEmoji) == 0 {
+		return "Add an emoji reaction to the current Telegram message instead of sending a text reply. Use this for short acknowledgements like thanks, ok, or got it."
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf(
+		"Add an emoji reaction to the current Telegram message instead of sending a text reply. Use this for short acknowledgements like thanks, ok, or got it. You MUST choose one of these configured emojis: %s.",
+		strings.Join(t.allowedEmoji, " "),
+	)
+}
+
+func (t *ReactionTool) Available(ctx context.Context) bool {
+	return t.reactCallback != nil && ToolChannel(ctx) == "telegram"
+}
+
+func (t *ReactionTool) Parameters() map[string]any {
+	emojiSchema := map[string]any{
+		"type":        "string",
+		"description": "Emoji reaction to add to the target Telegram message",
+	}
+	if len(t.allowedEmoji) > 0 {
+		emojiSchema["enum"] = append([]string(nil), t.allowedEmoji...)
+	}
+
+	return map[string]any{
+		"type": "object",
+		"properties": map[string]any{
+			"emoji": emojiSchema,
+			"target": map[string]any{
+				"type":        "string",
+				"description": "Which Telegram message to react to. Defaults to current.",
+				"enum":        []string{reactionTargetCurrent, reactionTargetParent, reactionTargetMessage},
+			},
+			"message_id": map[string]any{
+				"type":        "string",
+				"description": "Explicit Telegram message ID when target=message_id",
+			},
+		},
+		"required": []string{"emoji"},
+	}
+}
+
+func (t *ReactionTool) ExecuteSequentially() bool {
+	return true
+}
+
+func (t *ReactionTool) SetReactionCallback(callback ReactionCallback) {
+	t.reactCallback = callback
+}
+
+func (t *ReactionTool) ResetHandledInRound() {
+	t.handledInRound.Store(false)
+}
+
+func (t *ReactionTool) HasHandledInRound() bool {
+	return t.handledInRound.Load()
+}
+
+func (t *ReactionTool) Execute(ctx context.Context, args map[string]any) *ToolResult {
+	emoji, _ := args["emoji"].(string)
+	emoji = strings.TrimSpace(emoji)
+	if emoji == "" {
+		return ErrorResult("emoji is required")
+	}
+	if len(t.allowedEmoji) > 0 {
+		allowed := false
+		for _, candidate := range t.allowedEmoji {
+			if candidate == emoji {
+				allowed = true
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		if !allowed {
+			return ErrorResult(fmt.Sprintf("emoji %q is not allowed; use one of: %s", emoji, strings.Join(t.allowedEmoji, " ")))
+		}
+	}
+
+	channel := ToolChannel(ctx)
+	chatID := ToolChatID(ctx)
+	if channel == "" || chatID == "" {
+		return ErrorResult("reaction tool requires a current channel/chat context")
+	}
+	if channel != "telegram" {
+		return ErrorResult("reaction tool currently supports Telegram only")
+	}
+
+	messageID, err := resolveReactionTarget(ctx, args)
+	if err != nil {
+		return ErrorResult(err.Error()).WithError(err)
+	}
+	if t.reactCallback == nil {
+		return ErrorResult("reaction sending not configured")
+	}
+
+	if err := t.reactCallback(ctx, channel, chatID, messageID, emoji); err != nil {
+		return ErrorResult(fmt.Sprintf("adding reaction: %v", err)).WithError(err)
+	}
+
+	t.handledInRound.Store(true)
+	return SilentResult(fmt.Sprintf("Reaction %s added to telegram:%s message %s", emoji, chatID, messageID))
+}
+
+func resolveReactionTarget(ctx context.Context, args map[string]any) (string, error) {
+	target, _ := args["target"].(string)
+	target = strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(target))
+	if target == "" {
+		target = reactionTargetCurrent
+	}
+
+	switch target {
+	case reactionTargetCurrent:
+		if id := strings.TrimSpace(ToolCurrentMessageID(ctx)); id != "" {
+			return id, nil
+		}
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("target=current requested but current message id is unavailable")
+	case reactionTargetParent:
+		if id := strings.TrimSpace(ToolParentMessageID(ctx)); id != "" {
+			return id, nil
+		}
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("target=parent requested but parent message id is unavailable")
+	case reactionTargetMessage:
+		messageID, _ := args["message_id"].(string)
+		messageID = strings.TrimSpace(messageID)
+		if messageID == "" {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("target=message_id requires message_id")
+		}
+		return messageID, nil
+	default:
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("unsupported reaction target %q", target)
+	}
+}

pkg/tools/reaction_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,121 @@
+package tools
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestReactionTool_Parameters_ExposeAllowedEmojiEnum(t *testing.T) {
+	tool := NewReactionTool([]string{"❤️", "🔥"})
+
+	params := tool.Parameters()
+	properties, ok := params["properties"].(map[string]any)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("properties missing or invalid: %#v", params["properties"])
+	}
+	emojiProp, ok := properties["emoji"].(map[string]any)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("emoji property missing or invalid: %#v", properties["emoji"])
+	}
+	enumValues, ok := emojiProp["enum"].([]string)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("emoji enum missing or invalid: %#v", emojiProp["enum"])
+	}
+	if len(enumValues) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("emoji enum len = %d, want 2", len(enumValues))
+	}
+	if enumValues[0] != "❤️" || enumValues[1] != "🔥" {
+		t.Fatalf("emoji enum = %#v", enumValues)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestReactionTool_Execute_CurrentMessage(t *testing.T) {
+	tool := NewReactionTool([]string{"❤️", "🔥"})
+
+	var called bool
+	tool.SetReactionCallback(func(ctx context.Context, channel, chatID, messageID, emoji string) error {
+		called = true
+		if channel != "telegram" {
+			t.Fatalf("channel=%q", channel)
+		}
+		if chatID != "chat-1" {
+			t.Fatalf("chatID=%q", chatID)
+		}
+		if messageID != "910" {
+			t.Fatalf("messageID=%q", messageID)
+		}
+		if emoji != "❤️" {
+			t.Fatalf("emoji=%q", emoji)
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+
+	ctx := WithToolReplyContext(
+		WithToolContext(context.Background(), "telegram", "chat-1"),
+		"910",
+		"905",
+	)
+	result := tool.Execute(ctx, map[string]any{
+		"emoji": "❤️",
+	})
+
+	if !called {
+		t.Fatal("expected reaction callback to be called")
+	}
+	if result.IsError {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error result: %q", result.ForLLM)
+	}
+	if !result.Silent {
+		t.Fatal("expected silent result")
+	}
+	if !tool.HasHandledInRound() {
+		t.Fatal("expected handledInRound to be true")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestReactionTool_Execute_ParentMessage(t *testing.T) {
+	tool := NewReactionTool([]string{"❤️"})
+
+	var gotMessageID string
+	tool.SetReactionCallback(func(ctx context.Context, channel, chatID, messageID, emoji string) error {
+		gotMessageID = messageID
+		return nil
+	})
+
+	ctx := WithToolReplyContext(
+		WithToolContext(context.Background(), "telegram", "chat-1"),
+		"910",
+		"905",
+	)
+	result := tool.Execute(ctx, map[string]any{
+		"emoji":  "❤️",
+		"target": "parent",
+	})
+
+	if result.IsError {
+		t.Fatalf("unexpected error result: %q", result.ForLLM)
+	}
+	if gotMessageID != "905" {
+		t.Fatalf("gotMessageID=%q, want %q", gotMessageID, "905")
+	}
+}
+
+func TestReactionTool_Execute_RejectsEmojiOutsideAllowlist(t *testing.T) {
+	tool := NewReactionTool([]string{"❤️"})
+
+	ctx := WithToolReplyContext(
+		WithToolContext(context.Background(), "telegram", "chat-1"),
+		"910",
+		"905",
+	)
+	result := tool.Execute(ctx, map[string]any{
+		"emoji": "🔥",
+	})
+
+	if !result.IsError {
+		t.Fatal("expected error result")
+	}
+	if tool.HasHandledInRound() {
+		t.Fatal("handledInRound should remain false on error")
+	}
+}

pkg/tools/registry.go

@@ -141,13 +141,22 @@ func (r *ToolRegistry) sortedToolNames() []string {
 }
 
 func (r *ToolRegistry) GetDefinitions() []map[string]any {
+	return r.GetDefinitionsWithContext(context.Background(), "", "")
+}
+
+func (r *ToolRegistry) GetDefinitionsWithContext(ctx context.Context, channel, chatID string) []map[string]any {
 	r.mu.RLock()
 	defer r.mu.RUnlock()
 
+	ctx = availabilityContext(ctx, channel, chatID)
 	sorted := r.sortedToolNames()
 	definitions := make([]map[string]any, 0, len(sorted))
 	for _, name := range sorted {
-		definitions = append(definitions, ToolToSchema(r.tools[name]))
+		tool := r.tools[name]
+		if !toolAvailableInContext(tool, ctx) {
+			continue
+		}
+		definitions = append(definitions, ToolToSchema(tool))
 	}
 	return definitions
 }
@@ -155,13 +164,21 @@ func (r *ToolRegistry) GetDefinitions() []map[string]any {
 // ToProviderDefs converts tool definitions to provider-compatible format.
 // This is the format expected by LLM provider APIs.
 func (r *ToolRegistry) ToProviderDefs() []providers.ToolDefinition {
+	return r.ToProviderDefsWithContext(context.Background(), "", "")
+}
+
+func (r *ToolRegistry) ToProviderDefsWithContext(ctx context.Context, channel, chatID string) []providers.ToolDefinition {
 	r.mu.RLock()
 	defer r.mu.RUnlock()
 
+	ctx = availabilityContext(ctx, channel, chatID)
 	sorted := r.sortedToolNames()
 	definitions := make([]providers.ToolDefinition, 0, len(sorted))
 	for _, name := range sorted {
 		tool := r.tools[name]
+		if !toolAvailableInContext(tool, ctx) {
+			continue
+		}
 		schema := ToolToSchema(tool)
 
 		// Safely extract nested values with type checks
@@ -186,6 +203,21 @@ func (r *ToolRegistry) ToProviderDefs() []providers.ToolDefinition {
 	return definitions
 }
 
+func availabilityContext(ctx context.Context, channel, chatID string) context.Context {
+	if ctx == nil {
+		ctx = context.Background()
+	}
+	return WithToolContext(ctx, channel, chatID)
+}
+
+func toolAvailableInContext(tool Tool, ctx context.Context) bool {
+	conditional, ok := tool.(AvailabilityAwareTool)
+	if !ok {
+		return true
+	}
+	return conditional.Available(ctx)
+}
+
 // List returns a list of all registered tool names.
 func (r *ToolRegistry) List() []string {
 	r.mu.RLock()

pkg/tools/registry_test.go

@@ -54,6 +54,17 @@ func (m *mockSequentialRegistryTool) ExecuteSequentially() bool {
 	return m.sequential
 }
 
+type mockAvailabilityTool struct {
+	mockRegistryTool
+	allowedChannel string
+	lastCtx        context.Context
+}
+
+func (m *mockAvailabilityTool) Available(ctx context.Context) bool {
+	m.lastCtx = ctx
+	return ToolChannel(ctx) == m.allowedChannel
+}
+
 // --- helpers ---
 
 func newMockTool(name, desc string) *mockRegistryTool {
@@ -295,6 +306,35 @@ func TestToolRegistry_ToProviderDefs(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestToolRegistry_ToProviderDefsWithContext_FiltersUnavailableTools(t *testing.T) {
+	r := NewToolRegistry()
+	r.Register(newMockTool("always", "always visible"))
+	rt := &mockAvailabilityTool{
+		mockRegistryTool: *newMockTool("reaction", "telegram only"),
+		allowedChannel:   "telegram",
+	}
+	r.Register(rt)
+
+	defs := r.ToProviderDefsWithContext(context.Background(), "cli", "direct")
+	if len(defs) != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("defs len = %d, want 1", len(defs))
+	}
+	if defs[0].Function.Name != "always" {
+		t.Fatalf("visible tool = %q, want %q", defs[0].Function.Name, "always")
+	}
+	if rt.lastCtx == nil {
+		t.Fatal("expected availability check to receive context")
+	}
+	if got := ToolChannel(rt.lastCtx); got != "cli" {
+		t.Fatalf("availability context channel = %q, want %q", got, "cli")
+	}
+
+	defs = r.ToProviderDefsWithContext(context.Background(), "telegram", "chat-1")
+	if len(defs) != 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("telegram defs len = %d, want 2", len(defs))
+	}
+}
+
 func TestToolRegistry_List(t *testing.T) {
 	r := NewToolRegistry()
 	r.Register(newMockTool("x", ""))

pkg/tools/toolloop.go

@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ func RunToolLoop(
 		// 1. Build tool definitions
 		var providerToolDefs []providers.ToolDefinition
 		if config.Tools != nil {
-			providerToolDefs = config.Tools.ToProviderDefs()
+			providerToolDefs = config.Tools.ToProviderDefsWithContext(ctx, channel, chatID)
 		}
 
 		// 2. Set default LLM options