Skip to main content
This enables you to use Telegram to securely connect with your local computer via the gateway. The Telegram adapter uses the Bot API to poll Telegram for new messages so your computer does not need to be publicly accessible (e.g. to listen for incoming messages from Telegram). It supports DMs and groups.

​
Requirements

  • A Telegram bot token from BotFather.
  • The bot must be added to any group you want to handle.

​
Get a bot token (BotFather)

  1. Open Telegram and start a chat with @BotFather.
  2. Send /newbot and follow the prompts (name + username).
  3. Copy the bot token it gives you and keep it private.
  4. (Optional) If you want the bot to read all group messages, send /setprivacy and turn privacy mode off.

​
Basic configuration

{
  "channels": {
    "telegram": {
      "enabled": true,
      "bot_token": "<telegram-bot-token>",
      "allow_from": [],
      "groups": [],
      "require_mention": true
    }
  }
}
Telegram uses outbound polling, so you do not need a public webhook or tunnel just to receive messages. We recommend keeping the gateway local-only unless you explicitly need remote access. 
{
  "gateway": {
    "bind": "loopback",
    "public_access": false,
    "auth": { "mode": "token", "token": "<gateway-token>" }
  },
  "channels": {
    "telegram": {
      "enabled": true,
      "bot_token": "<telegram-bot-token>",
      "require_mention": true
    }
  }
}
Need to use the gateway from another device (same Wi-Fi)?
Set gateway.bind=lan and keep gateway.public_access=false.

​
Security tips

  • Keep gateway.public_access=false unless you truly need internet exposure.
  • Use pairing.dm_policy=pairing so unknown senders must be approved.
  • If you only want a few people to message the bot, add them to allow_from.

​
Group mention gating

If require_mention is enabled, the adapter only processes messages that mention the bot (or slash commands). This helps avoid noisy group traffic. If you add the bot to a large group, anyone in that group can message it, which may expose it to untrusted prompts. Keep require_mention=true, use pairing/allowlists, and avoid adding the bot to public or untrusted groups.

​
Pairing and allowlists

Telegram uses the shared pairing and allowlist rules. See Security and pairing.

​
Notes

  • If you want the bot to read all group messages, disable privacy mode in BotFather.