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