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Telegram ​

Telegram access uses Bot API long polling so users can DM the bot, mention it in a group, or reply to it to query and control devices; photo, voice, and document messages are received as hints but do not replace full vision or voice access.

Usage Modes ​

ModeTriggerNotes
Bot DMSend text directly to the botGood for personal remote status queries and control commands.
Group mentionType @bot_username with a messageGood for team collaboration. Group text triggers the device agent when the bot is mentioned or replied to.
Reply to botReply to the bot's previous messageUseful for continuing a group conversation without mentioning the bot every time.
Photos, voice, and filesSend a media message, optionally with textThe message enters the channel with a hint. Use dedicated device access capabilities for full vision or voice interactions.

Create a Telegram Bot ​

  1. Open the official @BotFather in Telegram.
  2. Send /newbot.
  3. Follow the prompts to set bot name and username.
  4. Copy the Bot Token.
  5. Add the bot to a group if group usage is needed.

Groups use Privacy Mode by default. First verify access by replying to a bot message. To trigger conversations with ordinary @bot_username text, disable Privacy Mode with /setprivacy in @BotFather, then remove and re-add the bot to the group. The bot will receive more group messages; Device Agent still only processes text that mentions or replies to the bot.

Configure Device Agent ​

Open Settings → Channels → Telegram and fill in:

Field.envDescription
EnabledTELEGRAM_ENABLEDStarts the Telegram channel
Bot TokenTELEGRAM_BOT_TOKENToken generated by @BotFather
Allow listTELEGRAM_ALLOW_FROMOptional numeric Telegram user ID allow list

You can also configure it in .env:

bash
TELEGRAM_ENABLED=true
TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN=123456:ABC-...
TELEGRAM_ALLOW_FROM=123456789,987654321

Restart the service after saving. For a platform deployment, ask the deployment administrator to restart the relevant services.

Verify Access ​

  1. Confirm that the saved configuration has taken effect.
  2. Check logs for Telegram: enabled and Bot started (long polling).
  3. Send a DM to the bot.
  4. Mention the bot in a group, or reply to a bot message.
  5. If the allow list is enabled, make sure the sender numeric ID is included.

In groups, mention the bot or reply to its message to start a conversation; see Usage Modes.

Checks ​

  • No DM response: confirm the Bot Token is correct and the service can reach Telegram Bot API.
  • No group response: mention the bot or reply to a bot message.
  • Allow list blocks messages: use the numeric Telegram user ID.