> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://aibotkit.gitbook.io/documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://aibotkit.gitbook.io/documentation/channels-and-integrations/telegram.md).

# Telegram

Run your chatbot inside Telegram. Customers message your bot, the AI replies using your knowledge base, and conversations show up in your dashboard for review or human takeover.

## What you need

* A Telegram **bot token** from [@BotFather](https://t.me/BotFather)
* A paid plan (Basic, Essential, or Business)

## Get a bot token in 60 seconds

1. Open Telegram and start a chat with **@BotFather**.
2. Send `/newbot` and follow the prompts to choose a display name and a username (must end in `bot`, e.g., `acme_support_bot`).
3. BotFather returns a bot token that looks like `123456789:AAH...`. **Copy it.**

## Connect to AI Bot Kit

1. Open your chatbot → **INTEGRATIONS** → **Telegram**.
2. Paste the bot token and click **Connect**.
3. AI Bot Kit automatically registers a webhook at `/api/telegram/callback/<token>` so Telegram knows where to deliver messages.
4. Send a test message to your bot in Telegram. The reply should arrive within a few seconds.

When connected, you'll see:

* **Feature bullets:**
  * **Token encrypted at rest** -- Your token is never exposed in plain text
  * **Instant setup** -- Your bot goes live immediately
  * **950M+ Telegram users** -- Reach customers on one of the world's largest messaging platforms

The token is hashed and encrypted before being stored — it's never shown back to you in plain text.

## What happens behind the scenes

* **Inbound:** Telegram POSTs to `/api/telegram/callback/<token>`. The token in the URL identifies the chatbot. The endpoint returns 200 immediately and processes the message asynchronously.
* **Session ID format:** `tg_<chat_id>` — one continuous thread per Telegram chat.
* **Outbound:** Replies are sent via Telegram's Bot API, including basic Markdown formatting where supported.

## Sharing your bot

Tell customers to message your bot directly via `https://t.me/<your_bot_username>`. You can embed this link on your website, email signature, or business card.

## Tips

* **Test in private first.** Use Telegram's "Test Bot" feature in BotFather settings to validate before publishing.
* **Disconnect cleanly.** Removing the integration also unregisters the webhook from Telegram.
* **One bot per chatbot.** If you connect the same token to a second chatbot, AI Bot Kit detects the conflict and asks you to confirm a transfer.

## Limits

* Counts toward your **Monthly AI Messages** quota.
* No per-channel rate limit on top of Telegram's own (currently 30 messages/sec to different users).


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