---
title: "Connect Telegram"
sidebarTitle: "Telegram"
description: "Create a Telegram bot with BotFather and connect it to Eliza."
---

## You need

- a Telegram account
- a working Eliza backend

## 1. Create the bot

1. Open Telegram.
2. Start a chat with `@BotFather`.
3. Send `/newbot`.
4. Pick a display name.
5. Pick a bot username ending in `bot`.
6. Copy the token.

<Warning>
Treat the token like a password.
</Warning>

## 2. Connect it in Eliza

1. Open the connectors section.
2. Pick `Telegram`.
3. Paste the bot token.
4. Optionally restrict it to specific chat IDs.
5. Save.

## 3. Test it

Find the bot by username and send:

```text
hey, are you there?
```

## Group chats

If the bot is silent in groups, Telegram privacy mode is usually the reason. Use BotFather's `/setprivacy` flow if you want broader group visibility.

## Restrict to specific chats

If you only want the bot in specific chats, fetch updates and read `message.chat.id` after sending it a message:

```text
https://api.telegram.org/bot<YOUR_TOKEN>/getUpdates
```

## If it fails

### Bot never replies

The token is usually wrong or the connector never came online.

### It works in DMs but not groups

Check privacy mode and group permissions.

### It replies in the wrong places

Use the allowed chat list.

## Next

[Set Up LifeOps](/user/lifeops-setup)