Watchbird · from your phoneApprove from your phone.Your agents keep going.
When an agent waits for you and you’re not at your desk, Watchbird sends the request to your phone. With Telegram you answer right in the message; ntfy tells you what happened.
- The situation
You’re getting a coffee. Claude wants to run npm install, and the session sits there until you’re back.
- What Watchbird does
Watchbird sends the request through your own Telegram bot, with buttons. You tap “Allow once”, and the session carries on at your PC.
- How you use it
Settings → Phone: connect Telegram with a bot token, or turn on ntfy. Choose what is sent and whether only while you’re away.
- What you need
The Telegram app with your own bot, or the ntfy app. Your PC is on and Watchbird running. An agent that can be approved in the notch.
- Your data
Only what you choose leaves your PC: titles by default, at most the command or a file name — never diffs or file contents.
Step by step
With Telegram
- 01In Telegram, open @BotFather, send /newbot and pick a name and a user name for your bot.
- 02Copy the token BotFather sends you.
- 03In Watchbird, open Settings → Phone, paste the token under Telegram and press Connect.
- 04Watchbird shows a short code. Send it to your new bot — your private chat is now connected, and only this chat is accepted.
- 05Press “Send test notification”.
With ntfy
- 01Install the ntfy app on your iPhone or Android phone.
- 02In Watchbird, open Settings → Phone and turn on ntfy. Watchbird picks a random topic that is hard to guess.
- 03Scan the QR code with your phone, or subscribe to the topic in the ntfy app by hand.
- 04Optional: your own ntfy server and an access token for protected topics.
- 05Press “Send test notification”.
npm install zod
14:05
Approve from your phone
Examples
- A command
Claude wants to run “npm install zod” in shopfront. Deny · Allow once.
- A question
Codex asks which environment comes first. Pick 1, 2 or 3 — or reply with your own answer.
- A plan
Claude has a plan ready. Approve, or reply with feedback to keep planning.
- Done
invoice-export finished after 23 minutes. Reply to the message to send a follow-up.
Security & data
- Telegram: Watchbird only accepts your private chat with your own bot, connected with a one-time code. Every request can be answered once; a late tap does nothing.
- Risky commands such as rm -rf or a force push can only be approved at the PC.
- ntfy: anyone who knows the topic could read the messages, so ntfy never gets buttons. Keep the topic to yourself, or use your own server with an access token.
- The bot token and the access token are stored encrypted on your PC.
- Quiet hours apply to your phone too. “Only when I’m away” sends nothing while you use the PC.
FAQ
Questions about it
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes, both: Telegram and ntfy exist for both.
Do I need a server?
No. Telegram delivers to your bot; ntfy.sh is a free public server. If you like, run your own ntfy server.
What if my PC is asleep?
Then nothing can be sent or answered. During a night shift Watchbird keeps the PC awake.
Can I answer in the terminal anyway?
Yes. Whoever answers first wins; the other side is told that it’s done.
More features
The agents are installed separately. Watchbird is an independent product and is not affiliated with or endorsed by their makers; all product names are trademarks of their respective owners.