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

# Connect a Telegram bot

> Let customers reach your support team through a Telegram bot.

<Note>
  This guide includes features awaiting release. If an option is not available in your workspace, contact StackShift Support.
</Note>

## What you can do

Let customers reach your support team through a Telegram bot. Where to find it: Settings → Channels → Telegram.

## Before you start

* A bot created through Telegram’s BotFather and its bot token.
* Permission to manage integrations and an inbox for the messages.

## Steps

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Create or select your bot in BotFather. Keep the token private; it controls the bot.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Create a Telegram channel in Support, choose the brand and inbox, and enter the token only in the protected setup form.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Verify the bot identity. If another service already receives its updates, decide whether to replace that webhook before confirming; replacing it affects that service.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Complete the readiness checks and activate the channel. Open the bot as a separate Telegram user, start the chat and send a message.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Reply from the Support inbox and confirm the user receives it. A bot cannot simply start a new private conversation with an arbitrary Telegram user.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    For groups, add the bot and explicitly approve each group. Choose whole-group routing or only selected observed forum topics, then test the intended topic.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Example

Customers open your @businesssupportbot, start the chat and ask a question. Your staff answer inside StackShift Support.

## Things to know

* Telegram privacy mode affects what the bot receives in groups. The topic picker contains observed topics, not necessarily every topic in the group.
* Unapproved groups and new unapproved topics are not routed. Group conversations are separate from private customer AI and private customer transcripts.
* If you rotate the bot token, update the existing connection and test it again. Never post the token in a ticket.

## What happens next

<Check>
  Authorized bot messages reach your inbox and replies return to the correct chat or topic.
</Check>

## If something goes wrong

<Warning>
  * Bot verification fails: check the token against BotFather and whether it was revoked.
  * Private messages do not arrive: confirm the customer started the bot and the channel is active.
  * Group messages are missing: check group approval, topic selection and Telegram privacy mode.
</Warning>

## Related guides

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Support channels and message recovery" href="/stackshift-support/channel-reliability">
    Connect supported inboxes, preserve message history, and recover interrupted delivery safely.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


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