diff --git a/nanobot/channels/base.py b/nanobot/channels/base.py
index dd29c0851..b6b50681c 100644
--- a/nanobot/channels/base.py
+++ b/nanobot/channels/base.py
@@ -116,7 +116,10 @@ class BaseChannel(ABC):
 
     def is_allowed(self, sender_id: str) -> bool:
         """Check if *sender_id* is permitted.  Empty list → deny all; ``"*"`` → allow all."""
-        allow_list = getattr(self.config, "allow_from", [])
+        if isinstance(self.config, dict):
+            allow_list = self.config.get("allow_from") or self.config.get("allowFrom") or []
+        else:
+            allow_list = getattr(self.config, "allow_from", [])
         if not allow_list:
             logger.warning("{}: allow_from is empty — all access denied", self.name)
             return False
diff --git a/nanobot/channels/manager.py b/nanobot/channels/manager.py
index aaec5e335..58531c412 100644
--- a/nanobot/channels/manager.py
+++ b/nanobot/channels/manager.py
@@ -75,7 +75,12 @@ class ChannelManager:
 
     def _validate_allow_from(self) -> None:
         for name, ch in self.channels.items():
-            if getattr(ch.config, "allow_from", None) == []:
+            cfg = ch.config
+            if isinstance(cfg, dict):
+                allow = cfg.get("allow_from") or cfg.get("allowFrom")
+            else:
+                allow = getattr(cfg, "allow_from", None)
+            if allow == []:
                 raise SystemExit(
                     f'Error: "{name}" has empty allowFrom (denies all). '
                     f'Set ["*"] to allow everyone, or add specific user IDs.'