How to Create a Telegram Bot With BotFather

To create a Telegram bot, open the official @BotFather bot, send it the /newbot command, and choose a name and a username ending in "bot". BotFather then gives you a token, a secret key your program uses to control the bot. Creating the bot takes a few minutes; making it do something useful is the next step.

This guide walks through creating the bot, setting it up properly, and keeping it secure.

What BotFather is

@BotFather is Telegram's own bot for creating and managing bots. Every Telegram bot, whether it is a huge service or a small hobby project, was registered through it.

You talk to BotFather the same way you talk to any bot: by sending commands and tapping buttons. It can create new bots, change their names and pictures, set their command lists, and issue or revoke tokens. Telegram has also been adding a more visual interface to BotFather, so you may see menus and buttons as well as text commands. The exact layout can change, so follow what your app shows you.

Make sure you have the real one

Scammers create look-alike accounts with similar names. The genuine BotFather has the username @BotFather exactly and carries Telegram's verification mark. Type the username yourself in search rather than following a link from a stranger.

Before you start

You need only a Telegram account. Still, a little planning saves time.

• Decide what the bot is for. A one-line purpose helps you write the name, description and commands.
• Pick a display name. This is what people see at the top of the chat. It can contain spaces and can be changed later.
• Pick a username. This must be unique across Telegram and must end in "bot". It is how people find and link to your bot.
• Know where the code will run. A bot needs a program running somewhere to reply. That might be your own server, a hosting service, or a no-code tool. If you do not want to code, see How to Build a Telegram Bot Without Coding.

Step by step: create the bot

1. Open Telegram and search for @BotFather. Check that the username is exact and the account is verified.
2. Press Start to open the conversation.
3. Send /newbot, or use the matching button if your app shows one.
4. When asked, type the display name for your bot.
5. When asked, type a username. It must end in "bot". If it is taken, BotFather will ask you to try another.
6. BotFather confirms the bot is created and shows its link and its token.
7. Copy the token and store it somewhere safe, such as a password manager. Do not paste it into chats or public places.

At this point the bot exists, but it will not answer anyone yet. It replies only once a program is running with its token.

Set up your bot's profile

A bot with no description or picture looks unfinished and less trustworthy. BotFather lets you fill in several details. You can usually reach these by sending /mybots, choosing your bot, and opening its settings.

Description and about text

There are two pieces of text worth writing:

• The description appears in an empty chat before someone presses Start. Use it to say what the bot does and what happens when they start it.
• The about text appears on the bot's profile. Keep it short and factual.

Plain, specific wording works best. Say what the bot does, who runs it, and how to get help.

Profile picture

Upload a clear, simple image. A recognisable picture helps people confirm they found the right bot, especially if it belongs to a known channel or brand.

Command list

You can register a list of commands with short descriptions. Telegram then shows them in a menu when users type a slash. A good starting set is:

• /start, to welcome the user and explain the bot
• /help, to list what the bot can do
• one command for each main feature

Keep commands short and lowercase. Registering them in BotFather only shows them in the menu; your program still has to handle each one.

Settings worth knowing about

BotFather has more settings than most people need at first. A few matter early.

Group privacy

By default, a bot added to a group only receives messages addressed to it, such as commands and replies to its messages. This is called privacy mode. Some bots, like moderation tools, need to see every message, so their developers turn privacy mode off in BotFather. A bot that is an admin in a group generally receives all messages anyway.

Leave privacy mode on unless your bot truly needs everything. It protects members and reduces the data you handle.

Allowing groups

You can control whether your bot may be added to groups at all. If your bot is meant only for private chats, turning this off avoids confusion.

Inline mode

If you want people to use your bot from any chat by typing its username, you enable inline mode in BotFather. Our guide to inline bots covers how that works.

Mini Apps and payments

BotFather is also where developers connect a Mini App to their bot and set up payment options. Read Telegram Mini Apps Explained and Telegram Bot Payments and Stars for Developers before using these.

Connect your bot to a program

The token is what links your code to the bot. In general terms, the program does this:

1. It reads the token from a safe place, such as an environment setting, never from the code itself.
2. It asks Telegram for new messages, either by checking regularly or by receiving them at a web address you give Telegram.
3. It decides how to reply to each message.
4. It sends replies back through Telegram's Bot API.

Telegram publishes official documentation for the Bot API. Many programming languages also have community libraries that handle the details for you. Start with a bot that simply answers /start, then add features one at a time.

Keep your token safe

The token is the single most important thing to protect. Anyone who has it can read messages sent to your bot and send messages as it.

• Store it in a password manager or your hosting provider's secret settings.
• Never commit it to a public code repository.
• Never share it in a chat, screenshot or support request.
• Only give it to tools and people you trust completely.

If you think your token has leaked, use BotFather to revoke it and generate a new one straight away. The old token stops working, and you update your program with the new one.

Common mistakes

• Messaging a fake BotFather. Always check for the exact username @BotFather and the verification mark.
• Publishing the token. It is the most common way bots get hijacked. Treat it like a password.
• Leaving the profile empty. No description and no picture makes people unsure whether to press Start.
• Choosing a confusing username. Pick something short, readable and close to your channel or brand name.
• Turning off privacy mode by default. Only do it if the bot's job requires reading every message.
• Forgetting /start and /help. These are the first commands people try. Make sure they answer clearly.
• Promising features the bot does not have. Your description should match what the bot actually does today.

FAQ

Does creating a bot cost anything?

Creating a bot with BotFather is free. Running it may have costs, such as hosting, depending on how you build it.

Can I change my bot's username later?

You can change the display name, description and picture through BotFather. Changing the username is more limited and has its own rules, so check BotFather's current options before relying on it.

Why is my new bot not replying?

A bot only replies when a program is running with its token. If nothing is running, or the token is wrong, the bot stays silent.

What should I do if my token leaks?

Open BotFather, select your bot, and revoke the token to get a new one. Then update your program. The leaked token stops working once revoked.

Can I delete a bot?

Yes. BotFather has an option to delete a bot you own. This cannot be undone, so make sure you no longer need it.

Where can I list my bot once it works?

You can submit it to TGDirectory for free on the submit page. Every submission is reviewed by a person before it appears.

Summary

Creating a Telegram bot starts with the official @BotFather. Send /newbot, choose a display name and a username ending in "bot", and save the token you receive. Fill in the description, about text, picture and command list so people know what the bot does. Leave privacy mode on unless you need it off. Keep the token secret and revoke it at once if it leaks. Then connect a program, test /start and /help, and build from there. For ideas on what to build, see What Are Telegram Bots and How Do They Work?.