diff --git a/src/channels/adapter.ts b/src/channels/adapter.ts
index de95700..d8859c9 100644
--- a/src/channels/adapter.ts
+++ b/src/channels/adapter.ts
@@ -20,7 +20,11 @@ export interface ChannelSetup {
   conversations: ConversationConfig[];
 
   /** Called when an inbound message arrives from the platform. */
-  onInbound(platformId: string, threadId: string | null, message: InboundMessage): void;
+  onInbound(
+    platformId: string,
+    threadId: string | null,
+    message: InboundMessage,
+  ): void | Promise<void>;
 
   /** Called when the adapter discovers metadata about a conversation. */
   onMetadata(platformId: string, name?: string, isGroup?: boolean): void;
diff --git a/src/channels/chat-sdk-bridge.ts b/src/channels/chat-sdk-bridge.ts
index 727a942..ed3a781 100644
--- a/src/channels/chat-sdk-bridge.ts
+++ b/src/channels/chat-sdk-bridge.ts
@@ -165,20 +165,20 @@ export function createChatSdkBridge(config: ChatSdkBridgeConfig): ChannelAdapter
       // Subscribed threads — forward all messages
       chat.onSubscribedMessage(async (thread, message) => {
         const channelId = adapter.channelIdFromThreadId(thread.id);
-        setupConfig.onInbound(channelId, thread.id, await messageToInbound(message));
+        await setupConfig.onInbound(channelId, thread.id, await messageToInbound(message));
       });
 
       // @mention in unsubscribed thread — forward + subscribe
       chat.onNewMention(async (thread, message) => {
         const channelId = adapter.channelIdFromThreadId(thread.id);
-        setupConfig.onInbound(channelId, thread.id, await messageToInbound(message));
+        await setupConfig.onInbound(channelId, thread.id, await messageToInbound(message));
         await thread.subscribe();
       });
 
       // DMs — always forward + subscribe
       chat.onDirectMessage(async (thread, message) => {
         const channelId = adapter.channelIdFromThreadId(thread.id);
-        setupConfig.onInbound(channelId, null, await messageToInbound(message));
+        await setupConfig.onInbound(channelId, null, await messageToInbound(message));
         await thread.subscribe();
       });
 
diff --git a/src/channels/telegram.ts b/src/channels/telegram.ts
index 72bb5c0..a974ca8 100644
--- a/src/channels/telegram.ts
+++ b/src/channels/telegram.ts
@@ -115,8 +115,8 @@ function createPairingInterceptor(
   hostOnInbound: ChannelSetup['onInbound'],
   token: string,
 ): ChannelSetup['onInbound'] {
-  return (platformId, threadId, message) => {
-    void (async () => {
+  return async (platformId, threadId, message) => {
+    try {
       const botUsername = await botUsernamePromise;
       if (!botUsername) {
         hostOnInbound(platformId, threadId, message);
@@ -187,11 +187,11 @@ function createPairingInterceptor(
       });
 
       await sendPairingConfirmation(token, platformId);
-    })().catch((err) => {
+    } catch (err) {
       log.error('Telegram pairing interceptor error', { err });
       // Fail open: pass through so a pairing bug doesn't break normal traffic.
       hostOnInbound(platformId, threadId, message);
-    });
+    }
   };
 }