Telegram

The best messenger

What is Telegram

Telegram is a messenger that allows for the creation of advanced chatbots. Let's explore how you can create a Telegram bot using Directual.

Directual–Telegram basics

Step 1. Create a bot

Open the messenger and go to the BotFather and type /newbot

Secret token is red. Here on the screenshot it is masked partially :)

The BotFather will give you an HPPT API secret token (the red one).

Step 2. Connect your bot to the app

Go to Directual app, Plugins section → Telegram , insert the secret token you copied and click Install.

Step 3. Find Telegram structures in Directual

Go to Database section, Integrations/Telegram folder (it appears automatically). Here you will find five data structures:

• Incoming Telegram messages (system name TMessageIn). Stores all messages that users have sent to the bot.

• Outcoming Telegram messages (system name TMessageOut). Stores all messages that the bot have sent to users.

• Users Telegram (system name TUser). Stores Users who have sent messages to the bot.

• Chats Telegram (system name TChat). Stores Chat-objects. That is the object which is used by scenario Telegram step as a 'destination'.

• Keyboards Telegram (Legacy) (system name TKeyboard).

Also, a webhook for receiving Telegram messages has been added, and a new System scenario Parse incoming telegram messages has appeared (do not edit them!).

Step 4. Test the integration and investigate TMessageIn structure

Type something to the bot! Send a picture, a file, or location details. Then check the TMessageIn structure.

Different messages are being sent to the bot

Let's have a look at new objects which appeared in TMessageIn!

The clue field for text messages is text — it contains the message. Also there is information referring to images, files and locations.

Information about files and images are stored as Telegram file IDs, further in this manual we'll figure out how to download and process them.

Step 5. Creating a simple scenario

Create a new scenario, which triggers new objects in TMessageIn structure. (See scenarios documentation):

Put the Telegram step in scenario and configure it as follows (don't forget to publish and run the scenario):

The bot will behave as follows:

Check out some useful techniques for building Telegram bots with Directual