How to Connect OpenClaw to Telegram

Introduction

Telegram is ideal for mobile-first AI interaction. With over 800 million active users, it is one of the most popular messaging platforms worldwide. Connecting your OpenClaw agent to Telegram gives you an AI assistant you can talk to from your phone, tablet, or desktop -- anywhere with an internet connection.

Prerequisites

• A KiwiClaw account with an active agent (setup guide)
• A Telegram account
• Access to @BotFather on Telegram

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Open BotFather on Telegram

Search for @BotFather in Telegram or open t.me/BotFather. BotFather is Telegram's official tool for creating and managing bots.

Step 2: Create a New Bot

Send /newbot to BotFather. It will ask you for a display name (e.g., "My AI Agent") and a username (e.g., "myaiagent_bot"). The username must end in "bot".

Step 3: Copy the Bot Token

BotFather responds with an API token -- a long string of numbers and letters. Copy this token. You will paste it into KiwiClaw next.

Step 4: Open Your KiwiClaw Dashboard

Log in at app.kiwiclaw.app, select your agent, and click the Channels tab. Find the Telegram card.

Step 5: Paste the Bot Token

Click Connect to Telegram and paste the bot token from BotFather. KiwiClaw validates the token and establishes the connection.

Step 6: Start Chatting

Open your new bot in Telegram (search for its username) and send a message. The agent responds through Telegram just as it would through the dashboard chat.

Pro Tips

• Add to groups -- You can add the bot to Telegram groups for team Q&A. Configure whether it responds to all messages or only when @mentioned.
• Use on mobile -- Telegram's mobile app gives you AI assistance on the go, perfect for quick research or task delegation.
• Set a bot description -- Send /setdescription to BotFather to add a description that appears when users first open your bot.
• Combine with scheduled tasks to receive daily briefings, reminders, or reports directly in Telegram.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my OpenClaw agent in Telegram group chats?

Yes. Add the bot to any Telegram group and configure it to respond to @mentions or all messages. Group mode works well for team Q&A and community management.

Is the Telegram connection secure?

Yes. Telegram uses end-to-end encryption for secret chats and TLS for all API communication. Your bot token is stored encrypted in KiwiClaw and never exposed to other tenants.

Can the Telegram bot send images and files?

Yes. Your agent can send images, documents, and other files through Telegram. If you install image generation skills like OpenAI Image Gen, the agent can create and send images directly in the chat.