diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 4193063e3a3..ccb5059bba8 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 - Minor: Added icons for newer versions of macOS. (#5148)
 - Minor: Added the `--incognito/--no-incognito` options to the `/openurl` command, allowing you to override the "Open links in incognito/private mode" setting. (#5149)
 - Minor: Added support for the `{input.text}` placeholder in the **Split** -> **Run a command** hotkey. (#5130)
+- Minor: Add a new Channel API for experimental plugins feature. (#5141)
 - Bugfix: Fixed an issue where certain emojis did not send to Twitch chat correctly. (#4840)
 - Bugfix: Fixed capitalized channel names in log inclusion list not being logged. (#4848)
 - Bugfix: Trimmed custom streamlink paths on all platforms making sure you don't accidentally add spaces at the beginning or end of its path. (#4834)
diff --git a/docs/chatterino.d.ts b/docs/chatterino.d.ts
index 23cbdc2bbbd..a2299e68220 100644
--- a/docs/chatterino.d.ts
+++ b/docs/chatterino.d.ts
@@ -12,13 +12,68 @@ declare module c2 {
     channel_name: String;
   }
 
+  enum Platform {
+    Twitch,
+  }
+  enum ChannelType {
+    None,
+    Direct,
+    Twitch,
+    TwitchWhispers,
+    TwitchWatching,
+    TwitchMentions,
+    TwitchLive,
+    TwitchAutomod,
+    Irc,
+    Misc,
+  }
+
+  interface IWeakResource {
+    is_valid(): boolean;
+  }
+
+  class RoomModes {
+    unique_chat: boolean;
+    subscriber_only: boolean;
+    emotes_only: boolean;
+    follower_only: null | number;
+    slow_mode: null | number;
+  }
+  class StreamStatus {
+    live: boolean;
+    viewer_count: number;
+    uptime: number;
+    title: string;
+    game_name: string;
+    game_id: string;
+  }
+
+  class Channel implements IWeakResource {
+    is_valid(): boolean;
+    get_name(): string;
+    get_type(): ChannelType;
+    get_display_name(): string;
+    send_message(message: string, execute_commands: boolean): void;
+    add_system_message(message: string): void;
+
+    is_twitch_channel(): boolean;
+
+    get_room_modes(): RoomModes;
+    get_stream_status(): StreamStatus;
+    get_twitch_id(): string;
+    is_broadcaster(): boolean;
+    is_mod(): boolean;
+    is_vip(): boolean;
+
+    static by_name(name: string, platform: Platform): null | Channel;
+    static by_twitch_id(id: string): null | Channel;
+  }
+
   function log(level: LogLevel, ...data: any[]): void;
   function register_command(
     name: String,
     handler: (ctx: CommandContext) => void
   ): boolean;
-  function send_msg(channel: String, text: String): boolean;
-  function system_msg(channel: String, text: String): boolean;
 
   class CompletionList {
     values: String[];
diff --git a/docs/plugin-meta.lua b/docs/plugin-meta.lua
index 78bdf759b2c..efdd47ae4aa 100644
--- a/docs/plugin-meta.lua
+++ b/docs/plugin-meta.lua
@@ -6,6 +6,15 @@
 
 c2 = {}
 
+---@class IWeakResource
+
+--- Returns true if the channel this object points to is valid.
+--- If the object expired, returns false
+--- If given a non-Channel object, it errors.
+---@return boolean
+function IWeakResource:is_valid() end
+
+
 ---@alias LogLevel integer
 ---@type { Debug: LogLevel, Info: LogLevel, Warning: LogLevel, Critical: LogLevel }
 c2.LogLevel = {}
@@ -20,6 +29,142 @@ c2.EventType = {}
 ---@class CompletionList
 ---@field values string[] The completions
 ---@field hide_others boolean Whether other completions from Chatterino should be hidden/ignored.
+-- Now including data from src/common/Channel.hpp.
+
+---@alias ChannelType integer
+---@type { None: ChannelType }
+ChannelType = {}
+-- Back to src/controllers/plugins/LuaAPI.hpp.
+-- Now including data from src/controllers/plugins/api/ChannelRef.hpp.
+--- This enum describes a platform for the purpose of searching for a channel.
+--- Currently only Twitch is supported because identifying IRC channels is tricky.
+
+---@alias Platform integer
+---@type { Twitch: Platform }
+Platform = {}
+---@class Channel: IWeakResource
+
+--- Returns true if the channel this object points to is valid.
+--- If the object expired, returns false
+--- If given a non-Channel object, it errors.
+---
+---@return boolean success
+function Channel:is_valid() end
+
+--- Gets the channel's name. This is the lowercase login name.
+---
+---@return string name
+function Channel:get_name() end
+
+--- Gets the channel's type
+---
+---@return ChannelType
+function Channel:get_type() end
+
+--- Get the channel owner's display name. This may contain non-lowercase ascii characters.
+---
+---@return string name
+function Channel:get_display_name() end
+
+--- Sends a message to the target channel.
+--- Note that this does not execute client-commands.
+---
+---@param message string
+---@param execute_commands boolean Should commands be run on the text?
+function Channel:send_message(message, execute_commands) end
+
+--- Adds a system message client-side
+---
+---@param message string
+function Channel:add_system_message(message) end
+
+--- Returns true for twitch channels.
+--- Compares the channel Type. Note that enum values aren't guaranteed, just
+--- that they are equal to the exposed enum.
+---
+---@return bool
+function Channel:is_twitch_channel() end
+
+--- Twitch Channel specific functions
+
+--- Returns a copy of the channel mode settings (subscriber only, r9k etc.)
+---
+---@return RoomModes
+function Channel:get_room_modes() end
+
+--- Returns a copy of the stream status.
+---
+---@return StreamStatus
+function Channel:get_stream_status() end
+
+--- Returns the Twitch user ID of the owner of the channel.
+---
+---@return string
+function Channel:get_twitch_id() end
+
+--- Returns true if the channel is a Twitch channel and the user owns it
+---
+---@return boolean
+function Channel:is_broadcaster() end
+
+--- Returns true if the channel is a Twitch channel and the user is a moderator in the channel
+--- Returns false for broadcaster.
+---
+---@return boolean
+function Channel:is_mod() end
+
+--- Returns true if the channel is a Twitch channel and the user is a VIP in the channel
+--- Returns false for broadcaster.
+---
+---@return boolean
+function Channel:is_vip() end
+
+--- Misc
+
+---@return string
+function Channel:__tostring() end
+
+--- Static functions
+
+--- Finds a channel by name.
+---
+--- Misc channels are marked as Twitch:
+--- - /whispers
+--- - /mentions
+--- - /watching
+--- - /live
+--- - /automod
+---
+---@param name string Which channel are you looking for?
+---@param platform Platform Where to search for the channel?
+---@return Channel?
+function Channel.by_name(name, platform) end
+
+--- Finds a channel by the Twitch user ID of its owner.
+---
+---@param string id ID of the owner of the channel.
+---@return Channel?
+function Channel.by_twitch_id(string) end
+
+---@class RoomModes
+---@field unique_chat boolean You might know this as r9kbeta or robot9000.
+---@field subscriber_only boolean
+---@field emotes_only boolean Whether or not text is allowed in messages.
+
+--- Note that "emotes" here only means Twitch emotes, not Unicode emoji, nor 3rd party text-based emotes
+
+---@field unique_chat number? Time in minutes you need to follow to chat or nil.
+
+---@field slow_mode number? Time in seconds you need to wait before sending messages or nil.
+
+---@class StreamStatus
+---@field live boolean
+---@field viewer_count number
+---@field uptime number Seconds since the stream started.
+---@field title string Stream title or last stream title
+---@field game_name string
+---@field game_id string
+-- Back to src/controllers/plugins/LuaAPI.hpp.
 
 --- Registers a new command called `name` which when executed will call `handler`.
 ---
@@ -34,22 +179,6 @@ function c2.register_command(name, handler) end
 ---@param func fun(query: string, full_text_content: string, cursor_position: integer, is_first_word: boolean): CompletionList The callback to be invoked.
 function c2.register_callback(type, func) end
 
---- Sends a message to `channel` with the specified text. Also executes commands.
----
---- **Warning**: It is possible to trigger your own Lua command with this causing a potentially infinite loop.
----
----@param channel string The name of the Twitch channel
----@param text string The text to be sent
----@return boolean ok
-function c2.send_msg(channel, text) end
-
---- Creates a system message (gray message) and adds it to the Twitch channel specified by `channel`.
----
----@param channel string
----@param text string
----@return boolean ok
-function c2.system_msg(channel, text) end
-
 --- Writes a message to the Chatterino log.
 ---
 ---@param level LogLevel The desired level.
diff --git a/scripts/make_luals_meta.py b/scripts/make_luals_meta.py
index 6afa3c5e3bb..22240da1984 100644
--- a/scripts/make_luals_meta.py
+++ b/scripts/make_luals_meta.py
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@
 - Do not have any useful info on '/**' and '*/' lines.
 - Class members are not allowed to have non-@command lines and commands different from @lua@field
 
+When this scripts sees "@brief", any further lines of the comment will be ignored
+
 Valid commands are:
 1. @exposeenum [dotted.name.in_lua.last_part]
     Define a table with keys of the enum. Values behind those keys aren't
@@ -38,42 +40,54 @@
 -- Add the folder this file is in to "Lua.workspace.library".
 
 c2 = {}
+
+---@class IWeakResource
+
+--- Returns true if the channel this object points to is valid.
+--- If the object expired, returns false
+--- If given a non-Channel object, it errors.
+---@return boolean
+function IWeakResource:is_valid() end
+
 """
 
 repo_root = Path(__file__).parent.parent
 lua_api_file = repo_root / "src" / "controllers" / "plugins" / "LuaAPI.hpp"
 lua_meta = repo_root / "docs" / "plugin-meta.lua"
 
-print("Reading from", lua_api_file.relative_to(repo_root))
 print("Writing to", lua_meta.relative_to(repo_root))
-with lua_api_file.open("r") as f:
-    lines = f.read().splitlines()
 
-# Are we in a doc comment?
-comment: bool = False
 
-# Last `@lua@param`s seen - for @exposed generation
-last_params_names: list[str] = []
-# Are we in a `@lua@class` definition? - makes newlines around @lua@class and @lua@field prettier
-is_class = False
+def process_file(target, out):
+    print("Reading from", target.relative_to(repo_root))
+    with target.open("r") as f:
+        lines = f.read().splitlines()
 
-# The name of the next enum in lua world
-expose_next_enum_as: str | None = None
-# Name of the current enum in c++ world, used to generate internal typenames for
-current_enum_name: str | None = None
+    # Are we in a doc comment?
+    comment: bool = False
+    # This is set when @brief is encountered, making the rest of the comment be
+    # ignored
+    ignore_this_comment: bool = False
 
-with lua_meta.open("w") as out:
-    out.write(BOILERPLATE[1:])  # skip the newline after triple quote
+    # Last `@lua@param`s seen - for @exposed generation
+    last_params_names: list[str] = []
+    # Are we in a `@lua@class` definition? - makes newlines around @lua@class and @lua@field prettier
+    is_class = False
 
-    for line in lines:
+    # The name of the next enum in lua world
+    expose_next_enum_as: str | None = None
+    # Name of the current enum in c++ world, used to generate internal typenames for
+    current_enum_name: str | None = None
+    for line_num, line in enumerate(lines):
         line = line.strip()
+        loc = f'{target.relative_to(repo_root)}:{line_num}'
         if line.startswith("enum class "):
             line = line.removeprefix("enum class ")
             temp = line.split(" ", 2)
             current_enum_name = temp[0]
             if not expose_next_enum_as:
                 print(
-                    f"Skipping enum {current_enum_name}, there wasn't a @exposeenum command"
+                    f"{loc} Skipping enum {current_enum_name}, there wasn't a @exposeenum command"
                 )
                 current_enum_name = None
                 continue
@@ -94,7 +108,7 @@
                     out.write(", ")
                 out.write(entry + ": " + current_enum_name)
             out.write(" }\n" f"{expose_next_enum_as} = {{}}\n")
-            print(f"Wrote enum {expose_next_enum_as} => {current_enum_name}")
+            print(f"{loc} Wrote enum {expose_next_enum_as} => {current_enum_name}")
             current_enum_name = None
             expose_next_enum_as = None
             continue
@@ -104,28 +118,40 @@
             continue
         elif "*/" in line:
             comment = False
+            ignore_this_comment = False
+
             if not is_class:
                 out.write("\n")
             continue
         if not comment:
             continue
+        if ignore_this_comment:
+            continue
         line = line.replace("*", "", 1).lstrip()
         if line == "":
             out.write("---\n")
+        elif line.startswith('@brief '):
+            # Doxygen comment, on a C++ only method
+            ignore_this_comment = True
         elif line.startswith("@exposeenum "):
             expose_next_enum_as = line.split(" ", 1)[1]
         elif line.startswith("@exposed "):
             exp = line.replace("@exposed ", "", 1)
             params = ", ".join(last_params_names)
             out.write(f"function {exp}({params}) end\n")
-            print(f"Wrote function {exp}(...)")
+            print(f"{loc} Wrote function {exp}(...)")
             last_params_names = []
+        elif line.startswith("@includefile "):
+            filename = line.replace("@includefile ", "", 1)
+            output.write(f"-- Now including data from src/{filename}.\n")
+            process_file(repo_root / 'src' / filename, output)
+            output.write(f'-- Back to {target.relative_to(repo_root)}.\n')
         elif line.startswith("@lua"):
             command = line.replace("@lua", "", 1)
             if command.startswith("@param"):
                 last_params_names.append(command.split(" ", 2)[1])
             elif command.startswith("@class"):
-                print(f"Writing {command}")
+                print(f"{loc} Writing {command}")
                 if is_class:
                     out.write("\n")
                 is_class = True
@@ -140,3 +166,8 @@
 
             # note the space difference from the branch above
             out.write("--- " + line + "\n")
+
+
+with lua_meta.open("w") as output:
+    output.write(BOILERPLATE[1:])  # skip the newline after triple quote
+    process_file(lua_api_file, output)
diff --git a/src/CMakeLists.txt b/src/CMakeLists.txt
index 03f88f6024a..f7140387d61 100644
--- a/src/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -220,6 +220,8 @@ set(SOURCE_FILES
         controllers/pings/MutedChannelModel.cpp
         controllers/pings/MutedChannelModel.hpp
 
+        controllers/plugins/api/ChannelRef.cpp
+        controllers/plugins/api/ChannelRef.hpp
         controllers/plugins/LuaAPI.cpp
         controllers/plugins/LuaAPI.hpp
         controllers/plugins/Plugin.cpp
diff --git a/src/common/Channel.hpp b/src/common/Channel.hpp
index de134b121d3..66e587fff9e 100644
--- a/src/common/Channel.hpp
+++ b/src/common/Channel.hpp
@@ -30,6 +30,10 @@ enum class TimeoutStackStyle : int {
 class Channel : public std::enable_shared_from_this<Channel>
 {
 public:
+    // This is for Lua. See scripts/make_luals_meta.py
+    /**
+     * @exposeenum ChannelType
+     */
     enum class Type {
         None,
         Direct,
diff --git a/src/controllers/plugins/LuaAPI.cpp b/src/controllers/plugins/LuaAPI.cpp
index 5f4c66dd50a..e087fa111d1 100644
--- a/src/controllers/plugins/LuaAPI.cpp
+++ b/src/controllers/plugins/LuaAPI.cpp
@@ -126,97 +126,6 @@ int c2_register_callback(lua_State *L)
     return 0;
 }
 
-int c2_send_msg(lua_State *L)
-{
-    QString text;
-    QString channel;
-    if (lua_gettop(L) != 2)
-    {
-        luaL_error(L, "send_msg needs exactly 2 arguments (channel and text)");
-        lua::push(L, false);
-        return 1;
-    }
-    if (!lua::pop(L, &text))
-    {
-        luaL_error(
-            L, "cannot get text (2nd argument of send_msg, expected a string)");
-        lua::push(L, false);
-        return 1;
-    }
-    if (!lua::pop(L, &channel))
-    {
-        luaL_error(
-            L,
-            "cannot get channel (1st argument of send_msg, expected a string)");
-        lua::push(L, false);
-        return 1;
-    }
-
-    const auto chn = getApp()->twitch->getChannelOrEmpty(channel);
-    if (chn->isEmpty())
-    {
-        auto *pl = getIApp()->getPlugins()->getPluginByStatePtr(L);
-
-        qCWarning(chatterinoLua)
-            << "Plugin" << pl->id
-            << "tried to send a message (using send_msg) to channel" << channel
-            << "which is not known";
-        lua::push(L, false);
-        return 1;
-    }
-    QString message = text;
-    message = message.replace('\n', ' ');
-    QString outText =
-        getIApp()->getCommands()->execCommand(message, chn, false);
-    chn->sendMessage(outText);
-    lua::push(L, true);
-    return 1;
-}
-
-int c2_system_msg(lua_State *L)
-{
-    if (lua_gettop(L) != 2)
-    {
-        luaL_error(L,
-                   "system_msg needs exactly 2 arguments (channel and text)");
-        lua::push(L, false);
-        return 1;
-    }
-    QString channel;
-    QString text;
-
-    if (!lua::pop(L, &text))
-    {
-        luaL_error(
-            L,
-            "cannot get text (2nd argument of system_msg, expected a string)");
-        lua::push(L, false);
-        return 1;
-    }
-    if (!lua::pop(L, &channel))
-    {
-        luaL_error(L, "cannot get channel (1st argument of system_msg, "
-                      "expected a string)");
-        lua::push(L, false);
-        return 1;
-    }
-
-    const auto chn = getApp()->twitch->getChannelOrEmpty(channel);
-    if (chn->isEmpty())
-    {
-        auto *pl = getIApp()->getPlugins()->getPluginByStatePtr(L);
-        qCWarning(chatterinoLua)
-            << "Plugin" << pl->id
-            << "tried to show a system message (using system_msg) in channel"
-            << channel << "which is not known";
-        lua::push(L, false);
-        return 1;
-    }
-    chn->addMessage(makeSystemMessage(text));
-    lua::push(L, true);
-    return 1;
-}
-
 int c2_log(lua_State *L)
 {
     auto *pl = getIApp()->getPlugins()->getPluginByStatePtr(L);
diff --git a/src/controllers/plugins/LuaAPI.hpp b/src/controllers/plugins/LuaAPI.hpp
index 95a998f79c2..e1f686e21eb 100644
--- a/src/controllers/plugins/LuaAPI.hpp
+++ b/src/controllers/plugins/LuaAPI.hpp
@@ -1,8 +1,12 @@
 #pragma once
 
 #ifdef CHATTERINO_HAVE_PLUGINS
+
+#    include <lua.h>
 #    include <QString>
 
+#    include <cassert>
+#    include <memory>
 #    include <vector>
 
 struct lua_State;
@@ -49,6 +53,11 @@ struct CompletionList {
     bool hideOthers{};
 };
 
+/**
+ * @includefile common/Channel.hpp
+ * @includefile controllers/plugins/api/ChannelRef.hpp
+ */
+
 /**
  * Registers a new command called `name` which when executed will call `handler`.
  *
@@ -68,27 +77,6 @@ int c2_register_command(lua_State *L);
  */
 int c2_register_callback(lua_State *L);
 
-/**
- * Sends a message to `channel` with the specified text. Also executes commands.
- *
- * **Warning**: It is possible to trigger your own Lua command with this causing a potentially infinite loop.
- *
- * @lua@param channel string The name of the Twitch channel
- * @lua@param text string The text to be sent
- * @lua@return boolean ok
- * @exposed c2.send_msg
- */
-int c2_send_msg(lua_State *L);
-/**
- * Creates a system message (gray message) and adds it to the Twitch channel specified by `channel`.
- *
- * @lua@param channel string
- * @lua@param text string
- * @lua@return boolean ok
- * @exposed c2.system_msg
- */
-int c2_system_msg(lua_State *L);
-
 /**
  * Writes a message to the Chatterino log.
  *
@@ -107,6 +95,115 @@ int g_print(lua_State *L);
 int searcherAbsolute(lua_State *L);
 int searcherRelative(lua_State *L);
 
+// This is a fat pointer that allows us to type check values given to functions needing a userdata.
+// Ensure ALL userdata given to Lua are a subclass of this! Otherwise we garbage as a pointer!
+struct UserData {
+    enum class Type { Channel };
+    Type type;
+    bool isWeak;
+};
+
+template <UserData::Type T, typename U>
+struct WeakPtrUserData : public UserData {
+    std::weak_ptr<U> target;
+
+    WeakPtrUserData(std::weak_ptr<U> t)
+        : UserData()
+        , target(t)
+    {
+        this->type = T;
+        this->isWeak = true;
+    }
+
+    static WeakPtrUserData<T, U> *create(lua_State *L, std::weak_ptr<U> target)
+    {
+        void *ptr = lua_newuserdata(L, sizeof(WeakPtrUserData<T, U>));
+        return new (ptr) WeakPtrUserData<T, U>(target);
+    }
+
+    static WeakPtrUserData<T, U> *from(UserData *target)
+    {
+        if (!target->isWeak)
+        {
+            return nullptr;
+        }
+        if (target->type != T)
+        {
+            return nullptr;
+        }
+        return reinterpret_cast<WeakPtrUserData<T, U> *>(target);
+    }
+
+    static WeakPtrUserData<T, U> *from(void *target)
+    {
+        return from(reinterpret_cast<UserData *>(target));
+    }
+
+    static int destroy(lua_State *L)
+    {
+        auto self = WeakPtrUserData<T, U>::from(lua_touserdata(L, -1));
+        // Note it is safe to only check the weakness of the pointer, as
+        // std::weak_ptr seems to have identical representation regardless of
+        // what it points to
+        assert(self->isWeak);
+
+        self->target.reset();
+        lua_pop(L, 1);  // Lua deallocates the memory for full user data
+        return 0;
+    }
+};
+
+template <UserData::Type T, typename U>
+struct SharedPtrUserData : public UserData {
+    std::shared_ptr<U> target;
+
+    SharedPtrUserData(std::shared_ptr<U> t)
+        : UserData()
+        , target(t)
+    {
+        this->type = T;
+        this->isWeak = false;
+    }
+
+    static SharedPtrUserData<T, U> *create(lua_State *L,
+                                           std::shared_ptr<U> target)
+    {
+        void *ptr = lua_newuserdata(L, sizeof(SharedPtrUserData<T, U>));
+        return new (ptr) SharedPtrUserData<T, U>(target);
+    }
+
+    static SharedPtrUserData<T, U> *from(UserData *target)
+    {
+        if (target->isWeak)
+        {
+            return nullptr;
+        }
+        if (target->type != T)
+        {
+            return nullptr;
+        }
+        return reinterpret_cast<SharedPtrUserData<T, U> *>(target);
+    }
+
+    static SharedPtrUserData<T, U> *from(void *target)
+    {
+        return from(reinterpret_cast<UserData *>(target));
+    }
+
+    static int destroy(lua_State *L)
+    {
+        auto self = SharedPtrUserData<T, U>::from(lua_touserdata(L, -1));
+        // Note it is safe to only check the weakness of the pointer, as
+        // std::shared_ptr seems to have identical representation regardless of
+        // what it points to
+        assert(!self->isWeak);
+
+        self->target.reset();
+        lua_pop(L, 1);  // Lua deallocates the memory for full user data
+        return 0;
+    }
+};
+
 }  // namespace chatterino::lua::api
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/controllers/plugins/LuaUtilities.hpp b/src/controllers/plugins/LuaUtilities.hpp
index c7bd0270eae..4dd25ee1962 100644
--- a/src/controllers/plugins/LuaUtilities.hpp
+++ b/src/controllers/plugins/LuaUtilities.hpp
@@ -137,6 +137,17 @@ class StackGuard
 
 /// TEMPLATES
 
+template <typename T>
+StackIdx push(lua_State *L, std::optional<T> val)
+{
+    if (val.has_value())
+    {
+        return lua::push(L, *val);
+    }
+    lua_pushnil(L);
+    return lua_gettop(L);
+}
+
 template <typename T>
 bool peek(lua_State *L, std::optional<T> *out, StackIdx idx = -1)
 {
@@ -262,7 +273,7 @@ StackIdx push(lua_State *L, QList<T> vec)
  *
  * @return Stack index of newly created string.
  */
-template <typename T, std::enable_if<std::is_enum_v<T>>>
+template <typename T, typename std::enable_if_t<std::is_enum_v<T>, bool> = true>
 StackIdx push(lua_State *L, T inp)
 {
     std::string_view name = magic_enum::enum_name<T>(inp);
diff --git a/src/controllers/plugins/PluginController.cpp b/src/controllers/plugins/PluginController.cpp
index 14d9131c3a5..59a2f4956a4 100644
--- a/src/controllers/plugins/PluginController.cpp
+++ b/src/controllers/plugins/PluginController.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #    include "common/QLogging.hpp"
 #    include "controllers/commands/CommandContext.hpp"
 #    include "controllers/commands/CommandController.hpp"
+#    include "controllers/plugins/api/ChannelRef.hpp"
 #    include "controllers/plugins/LuaAPI.hpp"
 #    include "controllers/plugins/LuaUtilities.hpp"
 #    include "messages/MessageBuilder.hpp"
@@ -143,10 +144,8 @@ void PluginController::openLibrariesFor(lua_State *L, const PluginMeta &meta,
 
     // NOLINTNEXTLINE(*-avoid-c-arrays)
     static const luaL_Reg c2Lib[] = {
-        {"system_msg", lua::api::c2_system_msg},
         {"register_command", lua::api::c2_register_command},
         {"register_callback", lua::api::c2_register_callback},
-        {"send_msg", lua::api::c2_send_msg},
         {"log", lua::api::c2_log},
         {nullptr, nullptr},
     };
@@ -164,6 +163,13 @@ void PluginController::openLibrariesFor(lua_State *L, const PluginMeta &meta,
     lua::pushEnumTable<lua::api::EventType>(L);
     lua_setfield(L, c2libIdx, "EventType");
 
+    lua::pushEnumTable<lua::api::LPlatform>(L);
+    lua_setfield(L, c2libIdx, "Platform");
+
+    // Initialize metatables for objects
+    lua::api::ChannelRef::createMetatable(L);
+    lua_setfield(L, c2libIdx, "Channel");
+
     lua_setfield(L, gtable, "c2");
 
     // ban functions
diff --git a/src/controllers/plugins/api/ChannelRef.cpp b/src/controllers/plugins/api/ChannelRef.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..ecace8df81e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/controllers/plugins/api/ChannelRef.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,394 @@
+#ifdef CHATTERINO_HAVE_PLUGINS
+#    include "controllers/plugins/api/ChannelRef.hpp"
+
+#    include "common/Channel.hpp"
+#    include "controllers/commands/CommandController.hpp"
+#    include "controllers/plugins/LuaAPI.hpp"
+#    include "controllers/plugins/LuaUtilities.hpp"
+#    include "messages/MessageBuilder.hpp"
+#    include "providers/twitch/TwitchChannel.hpp"
+#    include "providers/twitch/TwitchIrcServer.hpp"
+
+#    include <lauxlib.h>
+#    include <lua.h>
+
+#    include <cassert>
+#    include <memory>
+#    include <optional>
+
+namespace chatterino::lua::api {
+// NOLINTBEGIN(*vararg)
+
+// NOLINTNEXTLINE(*-avoid-c-arrays)
+static const luaL_Reg CHANNEL_REF_METHODS[] = {
+    {"is_valid", &ChannelRef::is_valid},
+    {"get_name", &ChannelRef::get_name},
+    {"get_type", &ChannelRef::get_type},
+    {"get_display_name", &ChannelRef::get_display_name},
+    {"send_message", &ChannelRef::send_message},
+    {"add_system_message", &ChannelRef::add_system_message},
+    {"is_twitch_channel", &ChannelRef::is_twitch_channel},
+
+    // Twitch
+    {"get_room_modes", &ChannelRef::get_room_modes},
+    {"get_stream_status", &ChannelRef::get_stream_status},
+    {"get_twitch_id", &ChannelRef::get_twitch_id},
+    {"is_broadcaster", &ChannelRef::is_broadcaster},
+    {"is_mod", &ChannelRef::is_mod},
+    {"is_vip", &ChannelRef::is_vip},
+
+    // misc
+    {"__tostring", &ChannelRef::to_string},
+
+    // static
+    {"by_name", &ChannelRef::get_by_name},
+    {"by_twitch_id", &ChannelRef::get_by_twitch_id},
+    {nullptr, nullptr},
+};
+
+void ChannelRef::createMetatable(lua_State *L)
+{
+    lua::StackGuard guard(L, 1);
+
+    luaL_newmetatable(L, "c2.Channel");
+    lua_pushstring(L, "__index");
+    lua_pushvalue(L, -2);  // clone metatable
+    lua_settable(L, -3);   // metatable.__index = metatable
+
+    // Generic IWeakResource stuff
+    lua_pushstring(L, "__gc");
+    lua_pushcfunction(
+        L, (&WeakPtrUserData<UserData::Type::Channel, ChannelRef>::destroy));
+    lua_settable(L, -3);  // metatable.__gc = WeakPtrUserData<...>::destroy
+
+    luaL_setfuncs(L, CHANNEL_REF_METHODS, 0);
+}
+
+ChannelPtr ChannelRef::getOrError(lua_State *L, bool expiredOk)
+{
+    if (lua_gettop(L) < 1)
+    {
+        luaL_error(L, "Called c2.Channel method without a channel object");
+        return nullptr;
+    }
+    if (lua_isuserdata(L, lua_gettop(L)) == 0)
+    {
+        luaL_error(
+            L, "Called c2.Channel method with a non Channel 'self' argument.");
+        return nullptr;
+    }
+    auto *data = WeakPtrUserData<UserData::Type::Channel, Channel>::from(
+        lua_touserdata(L, lua_gettop(L)));
+    if (data == nullptr)
+    {
+        luaL_error(L,
+                   "Called c2.Channel method with an invalid channel pointer");
+        return nullptr;
+    }
+    lua_pop(L, 1);
+    if (data->target.expired())
+    {
+        if (!expiredOk)
+        {
+            luaL_error(L,
+                       "Usage of expired c2.Channel object. Underlying "
+                       "resource was freed. Use Channel:is_valid() to check");
+        }
+        return nullptr;
+    }
+    return data->target.lock();
+}
+
+std::shared_ptr<TwitchChannel> ChannelRef::getTwitchOrError(lua_State *L)
+{
+    auto ref = ChannelRef::getOrError(L);
+    auto ptr = dynamic_pointer_cast<TwitchChannel>(ref);
+    if (ptr == nullptr)
+    {
+        luaL_error(L,
+                   "c2.Channel Twitch-only operation on non-Twitch channel.");
+    }
+    return ptr;
+}
+
+int ChannelRef::is_valid(lua_State *L)
+{
+    ChannelPtr that = ChannelRef::getOrError(L, true);
+    lua::push(L, that != nullptr);
+    return 1;
+}
+
+int ChannelRef::get_name(lua_State *L)
+{
+    ChannelPtr that = ChannelRef::getOrError(L);
+    lua::push(L, that->getName());
+    return 1;
+}
+
+int ChannelRef::get_type(lua_State *L)
+{
+    ChannelPtr that = ChannelRef::getOrError(L);
+    lua::push(L, that->getType());
+    return 1;
+}
+
+int ChannelRef::get_display_name(lua_State *L)
+{
+    ChannelPtr that = ChannelRef::getOrError(L);
+    lua::push(L, that->getDisplayName());
+    return 1;
+}
+
+int ChannelRef::send_message(lua_State *L)
+{
+    if (lua_gettop(L) != 2 && lua_gettop(L) != 3)
+    {
+        luaL_error(L, "Channel:send_message needs 1 or 2 arguments (message "
+                      "text and optionally execute_commands flag)");
+        return 0;
+    }
+    bool execcmds = false;
+    if (lua_gettop(L) == 3)
+    {
+        if (!lua::pop(L, &execcmds))
+        {
+            luaL_error(L, "cannot get execute_commands (2nd argument of "
+                          "Channel:send_message)");
+            return 0;
+        }
+    }
+
+    QString text;
+    if (!lua::pop(L, &text))
+    {
+        luaL_error(L, "cannot get text (1st argument of Channel:send_message)");
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    ChannelPtr that = ChannelRef::getOrError(L);
+
+    text = text.replace('\n', ' ');
+    if (execcmds)
+    {
+        text = getIApp()->getCommands()->execCommand(text, that, false);
+    }
+    that->sendMessage(text);
+    return 0;
+}
+
+int ChannelRef::add_system_message(lua_State *L)
+{
+    // needs to account for the hidden self argument
+    if (lua_gettop(L) != 2)
+    {
+        luaL_error(
+            L, "Channel:add_system_message needs exactly 1 argument (message "
+               "text)");
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    QString text;
+    if (!lua::pop(L, &text))
+    {
+        luaL_error(
+            L, "cannot get text (1st argument of Channel:add_system_message)");
+        return 0;
+    }
+    ChannelPtr that = ChannelRef::getOrError(L);
+    text = text.replace('\n', ' ');
+    that->addMessage(makeSystemMessage(text));
+    return 0;
+}
+
+int ChannelRef::is_twitch_channel(lua_State *L)
+{
+    ChannelPtr that = ChannelRef::getOrError(L);
+    lua::push(L, that->isTwitchChannel());
+    return 1;
+}
+
+int ChannelRef::get_room_modes(lua_State *L)
+{
+    auto tc = ChannelRef::getTwitchOrError(L);
+    const auto m = tc->accessRoomModes();
+    const auto modes = LuaRoomModes{
+        .unique_chat = m->r9k,
+        .subscriber_only = m->submode,
+        .emotes_only = m->emoteOnly,
+        .follower_only = (m->followerOnly == -1)
+                             ? std::nullopt
+                             : std::optional(m->followerOnly),
+        .slow_mode =
+            (m->slowMode == 0) ? std::nullopt : std::optional(m->slowMode),
+
+    };
+    lua::push(L, modes);
+    return 1;
+}
+
+int ChannelRef::get_stream_status(lua_State *L)
+{
+    auto tc = ChannelRef::getTwitchOrError(L);
+    const auto s = tc->accessStreamStatus();
+    const auto status = LuaStreamStatus{
+        .live = s->live,
+        .viewer_count = static_cast<int>(s->viewerCount),
+        .uptime = s->uptimeSeconds,
+        .title = s->title,
+        .game_name = s->game,
+        .game_id = s->gameId,
+    };
+    lua::push(L, status);
+    return 1;
+}
+
+int ChannelRef::get_twitch_id(lua_State *L)
+{
+    auto tc = ChannelRef::getTwitchOrError(L);
+    lua::push(L, tc->roomId());
+    return 1;
+}
+
+int ChannelRef::is_broadcaster(lua_State *L)
+{
+    auto tc = ChannelRef::getTwitchOrError(L);
+    lua::push(L, tc->isBroadcaster());
+    return 1;
+}
+
+int ChannelRef::is_mod(lua_State *L)
+{
+    auto tc = ChannelRef::getTwitchOrError(L);
+    lua::push(L, tc->isMod());
+    return 1;
+}
+
+int ChannelRef::is_vip(lua_State *L)
+{
+    auto tc = ChannelRef::getTwitchOrError(L);
+    lua::push(L, tc->isVip());
+    return 1;
+}
+
+int ChannelRef::get_by_name(lua_State *L)
+{
+    if (lua_gettop(L) != 2)
+    {
+        luaL_error(L, "Channel.by_name needs exactly 2 arguments (channel "
+                      "name and platform)");
+        lua_pushnil(L);
+        return 1;
+    }
+    LPlatform platform{};
+    if (!lua::pop(L, &platform))
+    {
+        luaL_error(L, "cannot get platform (2nd argument of Channel.by_name, "
+                      "expected a string)");
+        lua_pushnil(L);
+        return 1;
+    }
+    QString name;
+    if (!lua::pop(L, &name))
+    {
+        luaL_error(L,
+                   "cannot get channel name (1st argument of Channel.by_name, "
+                   "expected a string)");
+        lua_pushnil(L);
+        return 1;
+    }
+    auto chn = getApp()->twitch->getChannelOrEmpty(name);
+    if (chn->isEmpty())
+    {
+        lua_pushnil(L);
+        return 1;
+    }
+    // pushes onto stack
+    WeakPtrUserData<UserData::Type::Channel, Channel>::create(
+        L, chn->weak_from_this());
+    luaL_getmetatable(L, "c2.Channel");
+    lua_setmetatable(L, -2);
+    return 1;
+}
+
+int ChannelRef::get_by_twitch_id(lua_State *L)
+{
+    if (lua_gettop(L) != 1)
+    {
+        luaL_error(
+            L, "Channel.by_twitch_id needs exactly 1 arguments (channel owner "
+               "id)");
+        lua_pushnil(L);
+        return 1;
+    }
+    QString id;
+    if (!lua::pop(L, &id))
+    {
+        luaL_error(L,
+                   "cannot get channel name (1st argument of Channel.by_name, "
+                   "expected a string)");
+        lua_pushnil(L);
+        return 1;
+    }
+    auto chn = getApp()->twitch->getChannelOrEmptyByID(id);
+    if (chn->isEmpty())
+    {
+        lua_pushnil(L);
+        return 1;
+    }
+    // pushes onto stack
+    WeakPtrUserData<UserData::Type::Channel, Channel>::create(
+        L, chn->weak_from_this());
+    luaL_getmetatable(L, "c2.Channel");
+    lua_setmetatable(L, -2);
+    return 1;
+}
+
+int ChannelRef::to_string(lua_State *L)
+{
+    ChannelPtr that = ChannelRef::getOrError(L, true);
+    if (that == nullptr)
+    {
+        lua_pushstring(L, "<c2.Channel expired>");
+        return 1;
+    }
+    QString formated = QString("<c2.Channel %1>").arg(that->getName());
+    lua::push(L, formated);
+    return 1;
+}
+}  // namespace chatterino::lua::api
+// NOLINTEND(*vararg)
+//
+namespace chatterino::lua {
+StackIdx push(lua_State *L, const api::LuaRoomModes &modes)
+{
+    auto out = lua::pushEmptyTable(L, 6);
+#    define PUSH(field)            \
+        lua::push(L, modes.field); \
+        lua_setfield(L, out, #field)
+    PUSH(unique_chat);
+    PUSH(subscriber_only);
+    PUSH(emotes_only);
+    PUSH(follower_only);
+    PUSH(slow_mode);
+#    undef PUSH
+    return out;
+}
+
+StackIdx push(lua_State *L, const api::LuaStreamStatus &status)
+{
+    auto out = lua::pushEmptyTable(L, 6);
+#    define PUSH(field)             \
+        lua::push(L, status.field); \
+        lua_setfield(L, out, #field)
+    PUSH(live);
+    PUSH(viewer_count);
+    PUSH(uptime);
+    PUSH(title);
+    PUSH(game_name);
+    PUSH(game_id);
+#    undef PUSH
+    return out;
+}
+
+}  // namespace chatterino::lua
+#endif
diff --git a/src/controllers/plugins/api/ChannelRef.hpp b/src/controllers/plugins/api/ChannelRef.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..b60c9c72a77
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/controllers/plugins/api/ChannelRef.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,275 @@
+#pragma once
+#include "providers/twitch/TwitchChannel.hpp"
+
+#include <optional>
+#ifdef CHATTERINO_HAVE_PLUGINS
+#    include "common/Channel.hpp"
+#    include "controllers/plugins/LuaUtilities.hpp"
+#    include "controllers/plugins/PluginController.hpp"
+
+namespace chatterino::lua::api {
+// NOLINTBEGIN(readability-identifier-naming)
+
+/**
+ * This enum describes a platform for the purpose of searching for a channel.
+ * Currently only Twitch is supported because identifying IRC channels is tricky.
+ * @exposeenum Platform
+ */
+enum class LPlatform {
+    Twitch,
+    //IRC,
+};
+
+/**
+ * @lua@class Channel: IWeakResource
+ */
+struct ChannelRef {
+    static void createMetatable(lua_State *L);
+    friend class chatterino::PluginController;
+
+    /**
+     * @brief Get the content of the top object on Lua stack, usually first argument to function as a ChannelPtr.
+     * If the object given is not a userdatum or the pointer inside that
+     * userdatum doesn't point to a Channel, a lua error is thrown.
+     *
+     * @param expiredOk Should an expired return nullptr instead of erroring
+     */
+    static ChannelPtr getOrError(lua_State *L, bool expiredOk = false);
+
+    /**
+     * @brief Casts the result of getOrError to std::shared_ptr<TwitchChannel>
+     * if that fails thows a lua error.
+     */
+    static std::shared_ptr<TwitchChannel> getTwitchOrError(lua_State *L);
+
+public:
+    /**
+     * Returns true if the channel this object points to is valid.
+     * If the object expired, returns false
+     * If given a non-Channel object, it errors.
+     *
+     * @lua@return boolean success
+     * @exposed Channel:is_valid
+     */
+    static int is_valid(lua_State *L);
+
+    /**
+     * Gets the channel's name. This is the lowercase login name.
+     *
+     * @lua@return string name
+     * @exposed Channel:get_name
+     */
+    static int get_name(lua_State *L);
+
+    /**
+     * Gets the channel's type
+     *
+     * @lua@return ChannelType
+     * @exposed Channel:get_type
+     */
+    static int get_type(lua_State *L);
+
+    /**
+     * Get the channel owner's display name. This may contain non-lowercase ascii characters.
+     *
+     * @lua@return string name
+     * @exposed Channel:get_display_name
+     */
+    static int get_display_name(lua_State *L);
+
+    /**
+     * Sends a message to the target channel.
+     * Note that this does not execute client-commands.
+     *
+     * @lua@param message string
+     * @lua@param execute_commands boolean Should commands be run on the text?
+     * @exposed Channel:send_message
+     */
+    static int send_message(lua_State *L);
+
+    /**
+     * Adds a system message client-side
+     *
+     * @lua@param message string
+     * @exposed Channel:add_system_message
+     */
+    static int add_system_message(lua_State *L);
+
+    /**
+     * Returns true for twitch channels.
+     * Compares the channel Type. Note that enum values aren't guaranteed, just
+     * that they are equal to the exposed enum.
+     *
+     * @lua@return bool
+     * @exposed Channel:is_twitch_channel
+     */
+    static int is_twitch_channel(lua_State *L);
+
+    /**
+     * Twitch Channel specific functions
+     */
+
+    /**
+     * Returns a copy of the channel mode settings (subscriber only, r9k etc.)
+     *
+     * @lua@return RoomModes
+     * @exposed Channel:get_room_modes
+     */
+    static int get_room_modes(lua_State *L);
+
+    /**
+     * Returns a copy of the stream status.
+     *
+     * @lua@return StreamStatus
+     * @exposed Channel:get_stream_status
+     */
+    static int get_stream_status(lua_State *L);
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the Twitch user ID of the owner of the channel.
+     *
+     * @lua@return string
+     * @exposed Channel:get_twitch_id
+     */
+    static int get_twitch_id(lua_State *L);
+
+    /**
+     * Returns true if the channel is a Twitch channel and the user owns it
+     *
+     * @lua@return boolean
+     * @exposed Channel:is_broadcaster
+     */
+    static int is_broadcaster(lua_State *L);
+
+    /**
+     * Returns true if the channel is a Twitch channel and the user is a moderator in the channel
+     * Returns false for broadcaster.
+     *
+     * @lua@return boolean
+     * @exposed Channel:is_mod
+     */
+    static int is_mod(lua_State *L);
+
+    /**
+     * Returns true if the channel is a Twitch channel and the user is a VIP in the channel
+     * Returns false for broadcaster.
+     *
+     * @lua@return boolean
+     * @exposed Channel:is_vip
+     */
+    static int is_vip(lua_State *L);
+
+    /**
+      * Misc
+      */
+
+    /**
+     * @lua@return string
+     * @exposed Channel:__tostring
+     */
+    static int to_string(lua_State *L);
+
+    /**
+     * Static functions
+     */
+
+    /**
+     * Finds a channel by name.
+     *
+     * Misc channels are marked as Twitch:
+     *  - /whispers
+     *  - /mentions
+     *  - /watching
+     *  - /live
+     *  - /automod
+     *
+     * @lua@param name string Which channel are you looking for?
+     * @lua@param platform Platform Where to search for the channel?
+     * @lua@return Channel?
+     * @exposed Channel.by_name
+     */
+    static int get_by_name(lua_State *L);
+
+    /**
+     * Finds a channel by the Twitch user ID of its owner.
+     *
+     * @lua@param string id ID of the owner of the channel.
+     * @lua@return Channel?
+     * @exposed Channel.by_twitch_id
+     */
+    static int get_by_twitch_id(lua_State *L);
+};
+
+// This is a copy of the TwitchChannel::RoomModes structure, except it uses nicer optionals
+/**
+ * @lua@class RoomModes
+ */
+struct LuaRoomModes {
+    /**
+     * @lua@field unique_chat boolean You might know this as r9kbeta or robot9000.
+     */
+    bool unique_chat = false;
+
+    /**
+     * @lua@field subscriber_only boolean
+     */
+    bool subscriber_only = false;
+
+    /**
+     * @lua@field emotes_only boolean Whether or not text is allowed in messages.
+     * Note that "emotes" here only means Twitch emotes, not Unicode emoji, nor 3rd party text-based emotes
+     */
+    bool emotes_only = false;
+
+    /**
+     * @lua@field unique_chat number? Time in minutes you need to follow to chat or nil.
+     */
+    std::optional<int> follower_only;
+    /**
+     * @lua@field slow_mode number? Time in seconds you need to wait before sending messages or nil.
+     */
+    std::optional<int> slow_mode;
+};
+
+/**
+ * @lua@class StreamStatus
+ */
+struct LuaStreamStatus {
+    /**
+     * @lua@field live boolean
+     */
+    bool live = false;
+
+    /**
+     * @lua@field viewer_count number
+     */
+    int viewer_count = 0;
+
+    /**
+     * @lua@field uptime number Seconds since the stream started.
+     */
+    int uptime = 0;
+
+    /**
+     * @lua@field title string Stream title or last stream title
+     */
+    QString title;
+
+    /**
+     * @lua@field game_name string
+     */
+    QString game_name;
+
+    /**
+     * @lua@field game_id string
+     */
+    QString game_id;
+};
+
+// NOLINTEND(readability-identifier-naming)
+}  // namespace chatterino::lua::api
+namespace chatterino::lua {
+StackIdx push(lua_State *L, const api::LuaRoomModes &modes);
+StackIdx push(lua_State *L, const api::LuaStreamStatus &status);
+}  // namespace chatterino::lua
+#endif
diff --git a/src/providers/twitch/TwitchChannel.cpp b/src/providers/twitch/TwitchChannel.cpp
index a8eace253ed..e99bdd2285f 100644
--- a/src/providers/twitch/TwitchChannel.cpp
+++ b/src/providers/twitch/TwitchChannel.cpp
@@ -467,6 +467,7 @@ void TwitchChannel::updateStreamStatus(
             auto diff = since.secsTo(QDateTime::currentDateTime());
             status->uptime = QString::number(diff / 3600) + "h " +
                              QString::number(diff % 3600 / 60) + "m";
+            status->uptimeSeconds = diff;
 
             status->rerun = false;
             status->streamType = stream.type;
diff --git a/src/providers/twitch/TwitchChannel.hpp b/src/providers/twitch/TwitchChannel.hpp
index a331812af78..cfeef74cedb 100644
--- a/src/providers/twitch/TwitchChannel.hpp
+++ b/src/providers/twitch/TwitchChannel.hpp
@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@ class TwitchChannel final : public Channel, public ChannelChatters
         QString game;
         QString gameId;
         QString uptime;
+        int uptimeSeconds = 0;
         QString streamType;
     };