diff --git a/EvoScientist/cli.py b/EvoScientist/cli.py
index b78271f..08b25fb 100644
--- a/EvoScientist/cli.py
+++ b/EvoScientist/cli.py
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ from prompt_toolkit import PromptSession  # type: ignore[import-untyped]
 from prompt_toolkit.history import FileHistory  # type: ignore[import-untyped]
 from prompt_toolkit.auto_suggest import AutoSuggestFromHistory  # type: ignore[import-untyped]
 from prompt_toolkit.formatted_text import HTML  # type: ignore[import-untyped]
+from rich.panel import Panel  # type: ignore[import-untyped]
 from rich.text import Text  # type: ignore[import-untyped]
 from rich.table import Table  # type: ignore[import-untyped]
 
@@ -234,8 +235,6 @@ def print_banner(
     info.append("/install-skill", style="bold")
     info.append(", ", style="dim")
     info.append("/uninstall-skill", style="bold")
-    info.append(", ", style="dim")
-    info.append("/channel", style="bold")
     console.print(info)
     console.print()
 
@@ -413,6 +412,69 @@ def _cmd_channel_stop() -> None:
 # CLI commands
 # =============================================================================
 
+def _print_channel_panel(channels: list[tuple[str, bool, str]]) -> None:
+    """Print a summary panel for active channels.
+
+    Args:
+        channels: List of (name, ok, detail) tuples.
+    """
+    lines: list[Text] = []
+    all_ok = True
+    for name, ok, detail in channels:
+        line = Text()
+        if ok:
+            line.append("● ", style="green")
+            line.append(name, style="bold")
+        else:
+            line.append("✗ ", style="yellow")
+            line.append(name, style="bold yellow")
+            all_ok = False
+        if detail:
+            line.append(f"  {detail}", style="dim")
+        lines.append(line)
+
+    body = Text("\n").join(lines)
+    border = "green" if all_ok else "yellow"
+    console.print(Panel(body, title="[bold]Channels[/bold]", border_style=border, expand=False))
+    console.print()
+
+
+def _auto_start_channel(agent: Any, thread_id: str, allowed_senders_csv: str) -> None:
+    """Start iMessage channel automatically from config.
+
+    Args:
+        agent: Compiled agent graph.
+        thread_id: Current thread ID.
+        allowed_senders_csv: Comma-separated allowed senders (empty = all).
+    """
+    try:
+        from .channels.imessage import IMessageConfig
+        from .channels.imessage.serve import IMessageServer
+
+        allowed: set[str] | None = None
+        if allowed_senders_csv.strip():
+            allowed = {s.strip() for s in allowed_senders_csv.split(",") if s.strip()}
+
+        config = IMessageConfig(allowed_senders=allowed if allowed else None)
+
+        _ChannelState.agent = agent
+        _ChannelState.thread_id = thread_id
+
+        server = IMessageServer(config, handler=_create_channel_handler())
+        _ChannelState.server = server
+        _ChannelState.thread = threading.Thread(
+            target=_run_channel_thread,
+            args=(server,),
+            daemon=True,
+        )
+        _ChannelState.thread.start()
+
+        detail = ", ".join(sorted(allowed)) if allowed else "all senders"
+        _print_channel_panel([("iMessage", True, detail)])
+    except Exception as e:
+        _print_channel_panel([("iMessage", False, str(e))])
+
+
 def cmd_interactive(
     agent: Any,
     show_thinking: bool = True,
@@ -421,6 +483,8 @@ def cmd_interactive(
     mode: str | None = None,
     model: str | None = None,
     provider: str | None = None,
+    imessage_enabled: bool = False,
+    imessage_allowed_senders: str = "",
 ) -> None:
     """Interactive conversation mode with streaming output.
 
@@ -432,6 +496,8 @@ def cmd_interactive(
         mode: Workspace mode ('daemon' or 'run'), displayed in banner
         model: Model name to display in banner
         provider: LLM provider name to display in banner
+        imessage_enabled: Whether to auto-start iMessage channel
+        imessage_allowed_senders: Comma-separated allowed senders
     """
     import nest_asyncio
     nest_asyncio.apply()
@@ -514,6 +580,10 @@ def cmd_interactive(
         # Start background queue checker
         queue_task = asyncio.create_task(_check_channel_queue())
 
+        # Auto-start iMessage channel if enabled in config
+        if imessage_enabled and not _ChannelState.is_running():
+            _auto_start_channel(state["agent"], state["thread_id"], imessage_allowed_senders)
+
         try:
             _print_separator()
             while state["running"]:
@@ -939,6 +1009,8 @@ def _main_callback(
             mode=effective_mode,
             model=config.model,
             provider=config.provider,
+            imessage_enabled=config.imessage_enabled,
+            imessage_allowed_senders=config.imessage_allowed_senders,
         )
 
 
diff --git a/EvoScientist/config.py b/EvoScientist/config.py
index 2620043..8737329 100644
--- a/EvoScientist/config.py
+++ b/EvoScientist/config.py
@@ -80,6 +80,10 @@ class EvoScientistConfig:
     # UI Settings
     show_thinking: bool = True
 
+    # Channel Settings
+    imessage_enabled: bool = False
+    imessage_allowed_senders: str = ""  # comma-separated, empty = allow all
+
 
 # =============================================================================
 # Config file operations
diff --git a/EvoScientist/onboard.py b/EvoScientist/onboard.py
index 8c9a3e5..6ccfa24 100644
--- a/EvoScientist/onboard.py
+++ b/EvoScientist/onboard.py
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ workspace settings, and agent parameters. Uses flow-style arrow-key selection UI
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import os
+import subprocess
+import sys
 
 import questionary
 from prompt_toolkit.styles import Style
@@ -51,7 +53,7 @@ CONFIRM_STYLE = Style.from_dict({
     "text": "",
 })
 
-STEPS = ["Provider", "API Key", "Model", "Tavily Key", "Workspace", "Parameters"]
+STEPS = ["Provider", "API Key", "Model", "Tavily Key", "Workspace", "Parameters", "Channels"]
 
 
 # =============================================================================
@@ -188,11 +190,15 @@ def validate_google_key(api_key: str) -> tuple[bool, str]:
         from google import genai
         client = genai.Client(api_key=api_key)
         # Make a minimal request to validate the key
-        list(client.models.list(config={"page_size": 1}))
+        pager = client.models.list(config={"page_size": 1})
+        next(iter(pager))  # fetch first model only
+        return True, "Valid"
+    except StopIteration:
+        # Empty result but request succeeded — key is valid
         return True, "Valid"
     except Exception as e:
         error_str = str(e).lower()
-        if "401" in error_str or "403" in error_str or "unauthorized" in error_str or "invalid" in error_str or "api key" in error_str:
+        if "400" in error_str or "401" in error_str or "403" in error_str or "unauthorized" in error_str or "invalid" in error_str or "api key" in error_str:
             return False, "Invalid API key"
         return False, f"Error: {e}"
 
@@ -611,6 +617,197 @@ def _step_parameters(config: EvoScientistConfig) -> tuple[int, int, bool]:
     return max_concurrent, max_iterations, show_thinking
 
 
+def validate_imessage() -> tuple[bool, str]:
+    """Validate iMessage environment by checking for the imsg CLI.
+
+    Returns:
+        Tuple of (is_valid, message).
+    """
+    # macOS only
+    if sys.platform != "darwin":
+        return False, "iMessage requires macOS"
+
+    from .channels.imessage.probe import find_cli
+
+    cli_path = find_cli()
+    if not cli_path:
+        return False, "not_installed"
+
+    # Check version
+    try:
+        result = subprocess.run(
+            [cli_path, "--version"],
+            capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=5,
+        )
+        version = result.stdout.strip() if result.returncode == 0 else None
+    except Exception:
+        version = None
+
+    # Check RPC support
+    try:
+        result = subprocess.run(
+            [cli_path, "rpc", "--help"],
+            capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=5,
+        )
+        rpc_ok = result.returncode == 0
+    except Exception:
+        rpc_ok = False
+
+    if not rpc_ok:
+        return False, f"imsg found at {cli_path} but RPC not supported (update with: brew upgrade imsg)"
+
+    version_str = f" ({version})" if version else ""
+    return True, f"imsg{version_str} at {cli_path}"
+
+
+def _install_imsg() -> bool:
+    """Run brew install for imsg CLI.
+
+    Returns:
+        True if installation succeeded.
+    """
+    try:
+        proc = subprocess.run(
+            ["brew", "install", "steipete/tap/imsg"],
+            timeout=120,
+        )
+        return proc.returncode == 0
+    except FileNotFoundError:
+        console.print("  [red]✗ Homebrew not found[/red]")
+        console.print("  [dim]Install Homebrew first: https://brew.sh[/dim]")
+        return False
+    except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
+        console.print("  [red]✗ Installation timed out[/red]")
+        return False
+    except Exception as e:
+        console.print(f"  [red]✗ Installation failed: {e}[/red]")
+        return False
+
+
+def _setup_imessage() -> bool:
+    """Guide the user through iMessage setup: install, validate, test.
+
+    Returns:
+        True if iMessage is ready to use.
+    """
+    # Step 1: Validate
+    console.print("  [dim]Checking iMessage environment...[/dim]")
+    valid, msg = validate_imessage()
+
+    if valid:
+        console.print(f"  [green]✓ {msg}[/green]")
+        return True
+
+    if msg == "iMessage requires macOS":
+        console.print(f"  [red]✗ {msg}[/red]")
+        return False
+
+    if msg == "not_installed":
+        console.print("  [yellow]✗ imsg CLI not installed[/yellow]")
+        console.print()
+
+        # Step 2: Offer to install
+        install = questionary.confirm(
+            "Install imsg via Homebrew? (brew install steipete/tap/imsg)",
+            default=True,
+            style=WIZARD_STYLE,
+            qmark="  ?",
+        ).ask()
+
+        if install is None:
+            raise KeyboardInterrupt()
+
+        if install:
+            console.print()
+            if _install_imsg():
+                console.print()
+                # Re-validate after install
+                valid, msg = validate_imessage()
+                if valid:
+                    console.print(f"  [green]✓ {msg}[/green]")
+                    return True
+                else:
+                    console.print(f"  [red]✗ {msg}[/red]")
+                    return False
+            else:
+                return False
+        else:
+            console.print("  [dim]Skipped. Install manually: brew install steipete/tap/imsg[/dim]")
+            return False
+    else:
+        # RPC not supported or other issue
+        console.print(f"  [red]✗ {msg}[/red]")
+        return False
+
+
+def _step_channels(config: EvoScientistConfig) -> tuple[bool, str]:
+    """Step 7: Select a channel to enable on startup.
+
+    Presents a single-select list with "Skip for now" as default.
+    Selecting a channel triggers validation and guided installation.
+
+    Args:
+        config: Current configuration.
+
+    Returns:
+        Tuple of (imessage_enabled, imessage_allowed_senders_csv).
+    """
+    # Determine default based on current config
+    default = "imessage" if config.imessage_enabled else "skip"
+
+    choices = [
+        Choice(title="Skip for now", value="skip"),
+        Choice(title="iMessage", value="imessage"),
+        # Future channels:
+        # Choice(title="Slack", value="slack"),
+        # Choice(title="Email", value="email"),
+    ]
+
+    selected = questionary.select(
+        "Select channel to enable on startup:",
+        choices=choices,
+        default=default,
+        style=WIZARD_STYLE,
+        use_indicator=True,
+    ).ask()
+
+    if selected is None:
+        raise KeyboardInterrupt()
+
+    if selected == "skip":
+        return False, ""
+
+    # iMessage selected — run guided setup
+    ready = _setup_imessage()
+
+    if not ready:
+        # Setup failed — ask if they want to enable anyway
+        console.print()
+        enable_anyway = questionary.confirm(
+            "Enable iMessage anyway? (will try to connect on startup)",
+            default=False,
+            style=WIZARD_STYLE,
+            qmark="  ?",
+        ).ask()
+        if enable_anyway is None:
+            raise KeyboardInterrupt()
+        if not enable_anyway:
+            return False, ""
+
+    # Ask for allowed senders (indented to align with ✓ status lines)
+    senders = questionary.text(
+        "Allowed senders (comma-separated, empty = all):",
+        default=config.imessage_allowed_senders,
+        style=WIZARD_STYLE,
+        qmark="  ?",
+    ).ask()
+
+    if senders is None:
+        raise KeyboardInterrupt()
+
+    return True, senders.strip()
+
+
 # =============================================================================
 # Progress Rendering (for tests and potential future use)
 # =============================================================================
@@ -727,6 +924,11 @@ def run_onboard(skip_validation: bool = False) -> bool:
         config.max_iterations = max_iterations
         config.show_thinking = show_thinking
 
+        # Step 7: Channels
+        imessage_enabled, imessage_allowed_senders = _step_channels(config)
+        config.imessage_enabled = imessage_enabled
+        config.imessage_allowed_senders = imessage_allowed_senders
+
         # Confirm save
         console.print()
         save = questionary.confirm(
diff --git a/tests/test_config.py b/tests/test_config.py
index 2b729f6..3993acb 100644
--- a/tests/test_config.py
+++ b/tests/test_config.py
@@ -76,6 +76,8 @@ class TestEvoScientistConfig:
         assert config.max_concurrent == 3
         assert config.max_iterations == 3
         assert config.show_thinking is True
+        assert config.imessage_enabled is False
+        assert config.imessage_allowed_senders == ""
 
     def test_custom_values(self):
         """Test that custom values can be set."""
@@ -241,6 +243,23 @@ class TestGetSetValues:
         set_config_value("max_concurrent", "5")
         assert get_config_value("max_concurrent") == 5
 
+    def test_set_imessage_enabled_coercion(self, temp_config_dir, clean_env):
+        """Test that imessage_enabled is coerced from string to bool."""
+        save_config(EvoScientistConfig())
+
+        set_config_value("imessage_enabled", "true")
+        assert get_config_value("imessage_enabled") is True
+
+        set_config_value("imessage_enabled", "false")
+        assert get_config_value("imessage_enabled") is False
+
+    def test_set_imessage_allowed_senders(self, temp_config_dir, clean_env):
+        """Test that imessage_allowed_senders stores comma-separated string."""
+        save_config(EvoScientistConfig())
+
+        set_config_value("imessage_allowed_senders", "+1234567890,+0987654321")
+        assert get_config_value("imessage_allowed_senders") == "+1234567890,+0987654321"
+
     def test_list_config(self, temp_config_dir, clean_env):
         """Test listing all config values."""
         config = EvoScientistConfig(provider="openai", model="gpt-4o")
diff --git a/tests/test_onboard.py b/tests/test_onboard.py
index 15ab9c8..d883213 100644
--- a/tests/test_onboard.py
+++ b/tests/test_onboard.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 """Tests for EvoScientist onboarding wizard."""
 
+import subprocess
 from unittest import mock
 
 import pytest
@@ -21,10 +22,10 @@ from EvoScientist.config import EvoScientistConfig
 
 
 class TestConstants:
-    def test_steps_has_six_items(self):
-        """Test that STEPS contains exactly 6 steps."""
-        assert len(STEPS) == 6
-        assert STEPS == ["Provider", "API Key", "Model", "Tavily Key", "Workspace", "Parameters"]
+    def test_steps_has_seven_items(self):
+        """Test that STEPS contains exactly 7 steps."""
+        assert len(STEPS) == 7
+        assert STEPS == ["Provider", "API Key", "Model", "Tavily Key", "Workspace", "Parameters", "Channels"]
 
     def test_wizard_style_is_style_instance(self):
         """Test that WIZARD_STYLE is a prompt_toolkit Style."""
@@ -293,6 +294,238 @@ class TestStepWorkspace:
         assert result == ("run", "/custom/path")
 
 
+class TestValidateImessage:
+    def test_valid_when_cli_found_with_rpc(self):
+        """Test validate_imessage returns valid when imsg CLI found and RPC works."""
+        from EvoScientist.onboard import validate_imessage
+
+        version_result = mock.Mock(returncode=0, stdout="imsg 1.2.3")
+        rpc_result = mock.Mock(returncode=0)
+
+        with mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.sys") as mock_sys, \
+             mock.patch("EvoScientist.channels.imessage.probe.shutil") as mock_shutil, \
+             mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.subprocess") as mock_sub:
+            mock_sys.platform = "darwin"
+            mock_shutil.which.return_value = "/opt/homebrew/bin/imsg"
+            mock_sub.run.side_effect = [version_result, rpc_result]
+            valid, msg = validate_imessage()
+
+        assert valid is True
+        assert "imsg" in msg
+        assert "1.2.3" in msg
+
+    def test_invalid_when_cli_not_found(self):
+        """Test validate_imessage returns not_installed when imsg CLI missing."""
+        from EvoScientist.onboard import validate_imessage
+
+        with mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.sys") as mock_sys, \
+             mock.patch("EvoScientist.channels.imessage.probe.shutil") as mock_shutil:
+            mock_sys.platform = "darwin"
+            mock_shutil.which.return_value = None
+            valid, msg = validate_imessage()
+
+        assert valid is False
+        assert msg == "not_installed"
+
+    def test_invalid_on_non_macos(self):
+        """Test validate_imessage returns invalid on non-macOS."""
+        from EvoScientist.onboard import validate_imessage
+
+        with mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.sys") as mock_sys:
+            mock_sys.platform = "linux"
+            valid, msg = validate_imessage()
+
+        assert valid is False
+        assert "macOS" in msg
+
+    def test_invalid_when_rpc_not_supported(self):
+        """Test validate_imessage returns invalid when RPC check fails."""
+        from EvoScientist.onboard import validate_imessage
+
+        version_result = mock.Mock(returncode=0, stdout="imsg 0.1.0")
+        rpc_result = mock.Mock(returncode=1)
+
+        with mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.sys") as mock_sys, \
+             mock.patch("EvoScientist.channels.imessage.probe.shutil") as mock_shutil, \
+             mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.subprocess") as mock_sub:
+            mock_sys.platform = "darwin"
+            mock_shutil.which.return_value = "/usr/local/bin/imsg"
+            mock_sub.run.side_effect = [version_result, rpc_result]
+            valid, msg = validate_imessage()
+
+        assert valid is False
+        assert "RPC not supported" in msg
+
+
+class TestInstallImsg:
+    def test_install_success(self):
+        """Test _install_imsg returns True on success."""
+        from EvoScientist.onboard import _install_imsg
+
+        with mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.subprocess") as mock_sub:
+            mock_sub.run.return_value = mock.Mock(returncode=0)
+            mock_sub.TimeoutExpired = subprocess.TimeoutExpired
+            result = _install_imsg()
+
+        assert result is True
+
+    def test_install_brew_not_found(self):
+        """Test _install_imsg handles missing Homebrew."""
+        from EvoScientist.onboard import _install_imsg
+
+        with mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.subprocess") as mock_sub, \
+             mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.console"):
+            mock_sub.run.side_effect = FileNotFoundError()
+            mock_sub.TimeoutExpired = subprocess.TimeoutExpired
+            result = _install_imsg()
+
+        assert result is False
+
+    def test_install_failure(self):
+        """Test _install_imsg returns False on non-zero exit."""
+        from EvoScientist.onboard import _install_imsg
+
+        with mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.subprocess") as mock_sub:
+            mock_sub.run.return_value = mock.Mock(returncode=1)
+            mock_sub.TimeoutExpired = subprocess.TimeoutExpired
+            result = _install_imsg()
+
+        assert result is False
+
+
+class TestSetupImessage:
+    def test_already_installed(self):
+        """Test _setup_imessage returns True when already installed."""
+        from EvoScientist.onboard import _setup_imessage
+
+        with mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.validate_imessage", return_value=(True, "imsg at /bin/imsg")), \
+             mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.console"):
+            result = _setup_imessage()
+
+        assert result is True
+
+    def test_not_macos(self):
+        """Test _setup_imessage returns False on non-macOS."""
+        from EvoScientist.onboard import _setup_imessage
+
+        with mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.validate_imessage", return_value=(False, "iMessage requires macOS")), \
+             mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.console"):
+            result = _setup_imessage()
+
+        assert result is False
+
+    def test_install_then_valid(self):
+        """Test _setup_imessage installs and re-validates successfully."""
+        from EvoScientist.onboard import _setup_imessage
+
+        with mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.validate_imessage") as mock_val, \
+             mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard._install_imsg", return_value=True), \
+             mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.questionary") as mock_q, \
+             mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.console"):
+            mock_val.side_effect = [
+                (False, "not_installed"),  # First check
+                (True, "imsg at /bin/imsg"),  # After install
+            ]
+            mock_q.confirm.return_value.ask.return_value = True  # Yes, install
+            result = _setup_imessage()
+
+        assert result is True
+
+    def test_user_declines_install(self):
+        """Test _setup_imessage returns False when user declines install."""
+        from EvoScientist.onboard import _setup_imessage
+
+        with mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.validate_imessage", return_value=(False, "not_installed")), \
+             mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.questionary") as mock_q, \
+             mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.console"):
+            mock_q.confirm.return_value.ask.return_value = False
+            result = _setup_imessage()
+
+        assert result is False
+
+
+class TestStepChannels:
+    def test_returns_disabled_when_skip(self):
+        """Test channels step returns disabled when user selects skip."""
+        from EvoScientist.onboard import _step_channels
+
+        config = EvoScientistConfig()
+
+        with mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.questionary") as mock_q:
+            mock_q.select.return_value.ask.return_value = "skip"
+            result = _step_channels(config)
+
+        assert result == (False, "")
+
+    def test_returns_enabled_when_setup_passes(self):
+        """Test channels step returns enabled when setup succeeds."""
+        from EvoScientist.onboard import _step_channels
+
+        config = EvoScientistConfig()
+
+        with mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.questionary") as mock_q, \
+             mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard._setup_imessage", return_value=True):
+            mock_q.select.return_value.ask.return_value = "imessage"
+            mock_q.text.return_value.ask.return_value = ""
+            result = _step_channels(config)
+
+        assert result == (True, "")
+
+    def test_returns_enabled_with_senders(self):
+        """Test channels step returns enabled with specific senders."""
+        from EvoScientist.onboard import _step_channels
+
+        config = EvoScientistConfig()
+
+        with mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.questionary") as mock_q, \
+             mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard._setup_imessage", return_value=True):
+            mock_q.select.return_value.ask.return_value = "imessage"
+            mock_q.text.return_value.ask.return_value = "+1234567890,+0987654321"
+            result = _step_channels(config)
+
+        assert result == (True, "+1234567890,+0987654321")
+
+    def test_setup_fails_user_declines(self):
+        """Test channels step returns disabled when setup fails and user declines."""
+        from EvoScientist.onboard import _step_channels
+
+        config = EvoScientistConfig()
+
+        with mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.questionary") as mock_q, \
+             mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard._setup_imessage", return_value=False):
+            mock_q.select.return_value.ask.return_value = "imessage"
+            mock_q.confirm.return_value.ask.return_value = False
+            result = _step_channels(config)
+
+        assert result == (False, "")
+
+    def test_setup_fails_user_enables_anyway(self):
+        """Test channels step enables when setup fails but user confirms."""
+        from EvoScientist.onboard import _step_channels
+
+        config = EvoScientistConfig()
+
+        with mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.questionary") as mock_q, \
+             mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard._setup_imessage", return_value=False):
+            mock_q.select.return_value.ask.return_value = "imessage"
+            mock_q.confirm.return_value.ask.return_value = True
+            mock_q.text.return_value.ask.return_value = ""
+            result = _step_channels(config)
+
+        assert result == (True, "")
+
+    def test_raises_keyboard_interrupt_on_cancel(self):
+        """Test channels step raises KeyboardInterrupt on cancel."""
+        from EvoScientist.onboard import _step_channels
+
+        config = EvoScientistConfig()
+
+        with mock.patch("EvoScientist.onboard.questionary") as mock_q:
+            mock_q.select.return_value.ask.return_value = None
+            with pytest.raises(KeyboardInterrupt):
+                _step_channels(config)
+
+
 class TestStepParameters:
     def test_returns_parameters(self):
         """Test parameters step returns all values."""
@@ -344,6 +577,7 @@ class TestRunOnboard:
                 "claude-sonnet-4-5",  # Model
                 "daemon",  # Workspace mode
                 True,  # Show thinking
+                "skip",  # Channels: skip
             ]
             mock_q.password.return_value.ask.side_effect = [
                 "",  # Provider API key (keep current)
@@ -394,6 +628,7 @@ class TestRunOnboard:
                 "claude-sonnet-4-5",
                 "daemon",
                 True,  # Show thinking
+                "skip",  # Channels: skip
             ]
             mock_q.password.return_value.ask.side_effect = ["", ""]
             mock_q.confirm.return_value.ask.side_effect = [