> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.xpressbot.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect a Telegram Bot

> Create a bot with @BotFather and connect it to your workspace so Telegram messages arrive in your Inbox.

## What is this?

To use Telegram you connect a **bot** — a special Telegram account made for businesses. You create it for free with Telegram's own **@BotFather**, copy its **token**, and paste the token into **Channels**. The platform then connects to Telegram for you.

Each channel connects **one bot**, and a bot can only be connected to one workspace.

\[SCREENSHOT: telegram-connect-dialog — The Connect Telegram bot dialog with the Bot token field]

## What can I do here?

* Connect a bot with its token
* See the bot's username, ID, when it was connected, and when it last received a message
* Check the connection status
* Open the bot in Telegram
* Disconnect the bot

## How to use it

### 1. Create your bot in Telegram

1. Open Telegram and search for **@BotFather** (it has a blue verified tick).
2. Send `/newbot`.
3. Choose a **name** (what people see) and a **username** (it must end in `bot`, for example `AcmeSupportBot`).
4. BotFather replies with a **token** — a long code like `123456789:AA…`. Copy it.

<Warning>
  Keep the token private. Anyone with it can control your bot. The platform stores it encrypted and never shows it again.
</Warning>

### 2. Connect it in Channels

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Channels">
    Click your profile picture in the top-right corner and choose **Channels**, then select **Telegram**. You can also open **Bot settings** in the Telegram sidebar menu and use **Connect Telegram bot**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the bot">
    Click **Add new Telegram bot** (or **Connect Telegram bot**).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paste the token">
    Paste the token into **Bot token** and click **Connect**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm">
    You'll see **Telegram connected** — "@yourbot is now connected." The bot's card shows its details.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Now open your bot in Telegram, press **Start**, and send a message. It appears in your Inbox.

<Info>
  You need permission to connect bots, a plan that includes Telegram, and a platform set up with a secure (HTTPS) address — Telegram only sends messages to secure addresses.
</Info>

### The connection card

Once connected, **Channels → Telegram** shows:

| Detail                      | Meaning                                                 |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Username** and **Bot ID** | Which bot is connected                                  |
| **Connected**               | When you connected it                                   |
| **Last update received**    | When Telegram last sent a message to you (or **Never**) |
| **Webhook** status          | **Active**, **Pending**, **Error**, or **Removed**      |

Buttons:

* **Open in Telegram** — opens the bot's chat
* **Check status** — asks Telegram for the bot's current state and refreshes it. It also repairs the connection if it needs re-registering, so use it if messages stop arriving.
* **Disconnect** — removes the bot from this workspace

### Disconnect a bot

Click **Disconnect** and confirm. The connection is removed and the bot stops receiving messages here. **Existing conversations are kept.** You can connect the same bot again later.

## Troubleshooting / Technical Notes

* **"Could not connect Telegram."** Check that you pasted the full token with nothing extra, and that it belongs to a bot (not a person's account).
* **The bot is already connected somewhere else.** A bot can only belong to one workspace. Disconnect it there first, or create a new bot.
* **The Add button is disabled.** You may not have permission to connect bots, or your plan doesn't include Telegram. Hover over the button for the reason.
* **Status shows Error or Pending.** Click **Check status**. If it stays in error, disconnect and reconnect with the token.
* **Messages stopped arriving.** Click **Check status**. If you regenerated the token in BotFather, the old one no longer works — disconnect and connect again with the new token.
* **Nothing appears after I message the bot.** Make sure you pressed **Start** in the bot's chat, and check **Last update received** on the card.
* **I want a new token.** In BotFather, use `/revoke`, then disconnect and reconnect here with the new token.

## Related docs

* [Telegram Overview](/workspace/telegram/overview)
* [Bot Settings](/workspace/telegram/bot-settings)
* [Channels](/workspace/channels)
* [Telegram in the Inbox](/workspace/telegram/inbox)