diff --git a/gateway/config.py b/gateway/config.py
index e4f04d891..98b191805 100644
--- a/gateway/config.py
+++ b/gateway/config.py
@@ -581,6 +581,12 @@ def load_gateway_config() -> GatewayConfig:
                     if isinstance(ic, list):
                         ic = ",".join(str(v) for v in ic)
                     os.environ["DISCORD_IGNORED_CHANNELS"] = str(ic)
+                # allowed_channels: if set, bot ONLY responds in these channels (whitelist)
+                ac = discord_cfg.get("allowed_channels")
+                if ac is not None and not os.getenv("DISCORD_ALLOWED_CHANNELS"):
+                    if isinstance(ac, list):
+                        ac = ",".join(str(v) for v in ac)
+                    os.environ["DISCORD_ALLOWED_CHANNELS"] = str(ac)
                 # no_thread_channels: channels where bot responds directly without creating thread
                 ntc = discord_cfg.get("no_thread_channels")
                 if ntc is not None and not os.getenv("DISCORD_NO_THREAD_CHANNELS"):
diff --git a/gateway/platforms/discord.py b/gateway/platforms/discord.py
index 74aaa75a4..0e51fc75e 100644
--- a/gateway/platforms/discord.py
+++ b/gateway/platforms/discord.py
@@ -2234,6 +2234,7 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         #   discord.require_mention: Require @mention in server channels (default: true)
         #   discord.free_response_channels: Channel IDs where bot responds without mention
         #   discord.ignored_channels: Channel IDs where bot NEVER responds (even when mentioned)
+        #   discord.allowed_channels: If set, bot ONLY responds in these channels (whitelist)
         #   discord.no_thread_channels: Channel IDs where bot responds directly without creating thread
         #   discord.auto_thread: Auto-create thread on @mention in channels (default: true)
 
@@ -2245,12 +2246,21 @@ class DiscordAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
             parent_channel_id = self._get_parent_channel_id(message.channel)
 
         if not isinstance(message.channel, discord.DMChannel):
-            # Check ignored channels first - never respond even when mentioned
-            ignored_channels_raw = os.getenv("DISCORD_IGNORED_CHANNELS", "")
-            ignored_channels = {ch.strip() for ch in ignored_channels_raw.split(",") if ch.strip()}
             channel_ids = {str(message.channel.id)}
             if parent_channel_id:
                 channel_ids.add(parent_channel_id)
+
+            # Check allowed channels - if set, only respond in these channels
+            allowed_channels_raw = os.getenv("DISCORD_ALLOWED_CHANNELS", "")
+            if allowed_channels_raw:
+                allowed_channels = {ch.strip() for ch in allowed_channels_raw.split(",") if ch.strip()}
+                if not (channel_ids & allowed_channels):
+                    logger.debug("[%s] Ignoring message in non-allowed channel: %s", self.name, channel_ids)
+                    return
+
+            # Check ignored channels - never respond even when mentioned
+            ignored_channels_raw = os.getenv("DISCORD_IGNORED_CHANNELS", "")
+            ignored_channels = {ch.strip() for ch in ignored_channels_raw.split(",") if ch.strip()}
             if channel_ids & ignored_channels:
                 logger.debug("[%s] Ignoring message in ignored channel: %s", self.name, channel_ids)
                 return
diff --git a/hermes_cli/config.py b/hermes_cli/config.py
index a54d07562..93aa1cc0c 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/config.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/config.py
@@ -552,6 +552,7 @@ DEFAULT_CONFIG = {
     "discord": {
         "require_mention": True,       # Require @mention to respond in server channels
         "free_response_channels": "",  # Comma-separated channel IDs where bot responds without mention
+        "allowed_channels": "",        # If set, bot ONLY responds in these channel IDs (whitelist)
         "auto_thread": True,           # Auto-create threads on @mention in channels (like Slack)
         "reactions": True,             # Add 👀/✅/❌ reactions to messages during processing
     },