How to Create a Telegram Bot with BotFather: Step-by-Step Guide

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Every Telegram bot starts the same way: a conversation with BotFather. When you create Telegram bot accounts, BotFather generates the API token you need to bring your bot online. The entire process takes about two minutes and requires zero coding.

This guide walks you through every step with clear instructions anyone can follow.

What You Need Before You Create Telegram Bot Accounts

The requirements are minimal. You need a Telegram account on any device — phone, tablet, or desktop. That is the only requirement. There are no paid plans, no developer accounts, and no approval processes.

If you do not have Telegram yet, download it from your app store or visit the Telegram website. Create an account with your phone number. After that, you are ready to start.

What Is BotFather?

BotFather is the official Telegram tool for creating and managing bots. It is itself a bot — you interact with it through a normal Telegram chat. You type commands, and BotFather responds with instructions and confirmations.

Every single Telegram bot in existence was created through BotFather. There is no alternative method. Moreover, BotFather is the only way to generate the API token your bot needs to function. Think of it as the registration office for all Telegram bots.

Step 1: Open BotFather in Telegram

Open your Telegram app. Tap the search bar at the top. Type “BotFather” and look for the account with a blue verified checkmark next to the name. Tap it to open a chat.

Importantly, make sure you select the real BotFather with the verification badge. Fake accounts exist that try to steal tokens. The official BotFather has the username @BotFather and always shows the blue checkmark.

Once you open the chat, tap the Start button or type /start to begin. BotFather responds with a list of available commands.

Step 2: Send the /newbot Command

Type /newbot and send it. BotFather asks you two questions in sequence.

Choose a Display Name

First, BotFather asks for your bot’s display name. This is the name people see in conversations. For example, you might type “My Store Support” or “Customer Chat Bot.” You can use spaces and special characters here.

Additionally, you can change this name later. So do not worry about picking the perfect name right now.

Choose a Username

Next, BotFather asks for a username. This must end in “bot” or “_bot” and contain only letters, numbers, and underscores. For example: “my_store_support_bot” or “CustomerChatBot.”

The username must be unique across all of Telegram. If someone else already took your preferred username, BotFather tells you to try another one. In that case, add numbers or make the name more specific.

Step 3: Receive Your API Token

After you provide both names, BotFather creates your bot immediately. It responds with a message that contains your API token. The token looks something like this:

6123456789:AAHxyz1234567890abcdefghijklmnop

This token is your bot’s password. It allows any application to control your bot. Therefore, keep it private. Do not share it publicly, post it on social media, or include it in code repositories.

Most importantly, copy the token and save it somewhere safe. You will need it every time you connect your bot to a service like Cnvrse, a website, or a custom application.

Step 4: Customize Your Bot (Optional)

Your bot is already functional at this point. However, you can customize it further using these BotFather commands:

Set a Description

Type /setdescription and select your bot. Then type a short description that explains what the bot does. Visitors see this when they open the bot for the first time.

Set a Profile Picture

Type /setuserpic and select your bot. Then send an image. This becomes your bot’s profile picture in chats and search results. Essentially, it gives your bot a visual identity that matches your brand.

Set an About Text

Type /setabouttext and select your bot. This short text appears on the bot’s profile page. Use it to describe the bot’s purpose in one or two sentences.

Enable Inline Mode

Type /setinline if you want your bot to respond to inline queries. This is an advanced feature that most basic bots do not need. Skip it unless you have a specific use case for it.

Step 5: Test Your Bot

Search for your bot by its username in Telegram. Open the chat and tap Start. Your bot is now live, but it will not respond to messages yet. That is normal.

A bot without a connected service just sits there. It receives messages but has no logic to process them. To make your bot respond, you need to connect it to a platform or build a custom integration using the Telegram Bot API.

For example, connecting your bot to Cnvrse means website chat messages arrive in your Telegram app. Connecting it to a custom webhook means you can build any automated response system you want.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

People run into the same problems when creating their first Telegram bot. Here is how to avoid them.

Using the Wrong BotFather

Always verify the blue checkmark. Fake BotFather accounts exist specifically to steal bot tokens. If someone gets your token, they control your bot completely. Consequently, only interact with the verified @BotFather account.

Losing Your Token

BotFather shows the token once during creation. You can retrieve it later using the /token command, but many people panic when they cannot find it. Save your token in a password manager or secure note immediately after creation.

Sharing the Token Publicly

Never paste your bot token in public chat groups, forums, or GitHub repositories. Anyone with the token can send messages as your bot, delete your webhook, or change your bot’s settings. Instead, treat it with the same care as a password.

Choosing a Username That Is Already Taken

Telegram has millions of bots. Simple usernames like “support_bot” or “chat_bot” are long gone. Be creative and specific. Add your brand name or a unique identifier to ensure the username is available.

What to Do With Your Bot Next

Your bot is created. You have the token. Now what? Here are the most common next steps.

Connect It to a Live Chat Plugin

If you use Cnvrse on your WordPress site, paste your bot token into the Cnvrse Telegram settings. From there, every website chat message arrives in your Telegram app. You reply from Telegram, and the visitor sees your response on the website. The setup takes about one minute.

Build a Custom Bot

If you have programming skills, use the Telegram Bot API to build custom functionality. Bots can process commands, send automated replies, manage groups, handle payments, and much more. The API documentation covers everything you need to get started.

Add It to a Group

You can add your bot to a Telegram group so multiple team members receive and respond to messages. First, create a group. Then add the bot as a member. Finally, configure your integration to send messages to that group instead of a personal chat.

Managing Your Bot After Creation

BotFather gives you ongoing control over your bot. Here are the management commands you should know.

  • /mybots — lists all bots you have created.
  • /setname — changes the bot’s display name.
  • /setdescription — updates the bot’s description.
  • /setuserpic — changes the profile picture.
  • /deletebot — permanently deletes a bot.
  • /token — shows the current API token.
  • /revoke — generates a new token and invalidates the old one.

Notably, the /revoke command is critical if you suspect your token has leaked. It immediately creates a new token and makes the old one useless. Any service using the old token will stop working until you update it.

How Long Does the Whole Process Take?

From opening BotFather to holding a working API token, the entire process takes about two minutes. Customizing the bot with a picture, description, and about text adds another two minutes. Connecting it to a service like Cnvrse takes one more minute.

In total, you can go from zero to a fully functional, connected Telegram bot in under five minutes. No approvals, no waiting periods, and no costs.

Start Building Your Bot Today

Now you know exactly how to create Telegram bot accounts through BotFather. The process is free, fast, and requires no technical skills. Open BotFather, type /newbot, answer two questions, and save your token.

From there, the possibilities are wide open. Connect your bot to Cnvrse for live chat, build a custom integration, or experiment with the Telegram Bot API. Your bot is ready. The only step left is to put it to work.

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