> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.chain.fm/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.chain.fm/docs/how-to-create-a-telegram-bot.md).

# How to create a Telegram bot

This guide will walk you through the process of creating a Telegram bot and obtaining your bot token. No coding experience required!

### Prerequisites

* A Telegram account
* A smartphone or computer with Telegram installed

### Step 1: Start a Chat with BotFather

<figure><img src="/files/gUVxZpZJjXmyyXASsDtG" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

1. Open Telegram
2. In the search bar at the top, type: `@BotFather`
3. Click on the verified BotFather account (it has a blue checkmark)
4. Click the "Start" button or send `/start`

### Step 2: Create a New Bot

<figure><img src="/files/w9nrI4YUgRrpycIlhiUl" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

1. Send the command `/newbot` to BotFather
2. BotFather will ask you to choose a name for your bot
   * This is the display name that appears in conversations
   * Example: "My Awesome Bot"
3. After setting the name, BotFather will ask for a username for your bot
   * Must end in 'bot' (e.g., `my_awesome_bot` or `MyAwesomeBot`)
   * Must be unique across all of Telegram
   * Can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores

### Step 3: Get Your Bot Token

<figure><img src="/files/4EDAVLvPASdwL2pX9CQt" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

1. If everything is successful, BotFather will respond with a message containing:
   * A congratulations message
   * Your bot's link (t.me/YourBotsUsername)
   * Your bot token (Looks like: `123456789:ABCdefGHIjklmNOPQrstUVwxyz`)
2. **Important**: Keep your token secret! It's like a password for your bot
   * Never share it publicly
   * Store it somewhere safe
   * If compromised, you can get a new one using `/token` command

### Step 4: Basic Bot Management Commands

You can use these commands with BotFather to manage your bot:

* `/mybots` - Lists all your bots and provides management options
* `/setname` - Change your bot's name
* `/setdescription` - Change your bot's description
* `/setabouttext` - Change the bot's about info
* `/setuserpic` - Change your bot's profile picture
* `/setcommands` - Set up command suggestions for your bot

### What's Next?

* Your bot is now created and ready to be programmed
* The bot token you received will be used in your bot's code to authenticate with Telegram's API
* Keep your bot token secure - you'll need it for development

### Troubleshooting Tips

1. If the username is taken, try another one
2. If you lost your token, use `/token` command with BotFather to get it
3. If your bot is compromised, use `/revoke` to revoke the old token and get a new one

### Safety Notes

* Never share your bot token publicly
* Don't commit your token to public repositories
* If you accidentally expose your token, revoke it immediately using BotFather