How to Set Up Automatic Replies for Telegram Bots?
· 3 min read
Step 1: Create a Bot via BotFather
- Search for
@BotFather
on Telegram (make sure it has the blue verified badge). - Send the command
/newbot
, then follow the prompts to enter a name (e.g.,MyAutoReplyBot
) and a username (must end withbot
, e.g.,myautoreply_bot
). - Save the generated API Token (e.g.,
123456789:ABCdefGHIJKL
) — you'll need it later.
2. Technical Self-Hosted Solution: Programming Auto Replies
Method 1: Write Auto Reply Script in Python
Step 1: Environment Setup
Install Python 3.8+ and required libraries:
pip install python-telegram-bot
Step 2: Write Core Code
from telegram.ext import Updater, MessageHandler, Filters
def auto_reply(update, context):
message = update.message.text
reply_text = f"Received your message: {message}"
context.bot.send_message(chat_id=update.effective_chat.id, text=reply_text)
def main():
updater = Updater("YOUR_API_TOKEN") # Replace with your API Token
dispatcher = updater.dispatcher
dispatcher.add_handler(MessageHandler(Filters.text, auto_reply))
updater.start_polling()
updater.idle()
if __name__ == '__main__':
main()
Step 3: Deploy and Run
- Run locally: Execute with
python bot.py
- Deploy on a server: Use
systemd
or Docker for background running (see Docker example)
Feature Extensions
- Keyword triggers: Match specific words like "help" and return predefined responses
- Multimedia support: Use
send_photo()
orsend_document()
to send images/files
Method 2: Integrate with Crisp (Requires Coding)
Step 1: Register on Crisp and Get Credentials
- Sign up on Crisp → Save your Website ID (e.g.,
12345678-1234-1234-1234-1234567890ab
) - Create a plugin in the Crisp Marketplace → Get your Plugin ID and Secret
Step 2: Configure the Telegram Bot
- Clone the GitHub repo and install dependencies:
git clone https://github.com/DyAxy/Crisp_Telegram_Bot.git
pip install -r requirements.txt
- Edit the
config.yml
file and fill in the Telegram API Token and Crisp credentials.
Step 3: Deploy the Service
- Use
systemd
or Docker to run it as a background service.
3. No-Code Solutions: Use Third-Party Platforms
Option 1: SaleSmartly Integration
- Link your Telegram account:
- Log in to SaleSmartly → Go to "Bot" → "Automation Flow" → Select Telegram as a channel
- Set up auto-reply rules:
- Define a trigger (e.g., "New message received") → Set the reply content (text, image, button)
Option 2: Midouke Integration
- Connect the bot:
- Log in to Midouke → "Settings Center" → "Channel Access" → Enter your Telegram API Token
- Feature setup:
- Supports keyword-based replies, bulk messaging, and user data management
Option 3: Respond.io Workflow Automation
- Build an auto-reply flow:
- Log in to Respond.io → "Automation Builder" → Choose "Conversation Opened" as the trigger
- Configure replies based on business hours (e.g., welcome message, away message)
- Advanced features:
- Use pre-chat surveys to collect user info → Auto-assign support agents accordingly
4. Notes and Optimization Tips
- Testing:
- Send a test message after deployment to confirm the bot's response logic
- Permission Management:
- Use @BotFather's
/setprivacy
to configure privacy mode and avoid reading group messages if not needed
- Use @BotFather's
- Performance Optimization:
- For high traffic bots, consider using Webhooks instead of polling (
updater.start_webhook()
)
- For high traffic bots, consider using Webhooks instead of polling (
- Compliance:
- Avoid spammy behavior to prevent account bans
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: The bot doesn’t respond to messages?
- Check if your API Token is correct, and make sure the server can reach Telegram API servers.
Q2: How to support multiple languages in replies?
- Use language recognition features on third-party platforms like SaleSmartly, or implement logic to detect and reply in the user’s language.
Q3: Can the bot send images or documents?
- Yes. Use
context.bot.send_photo()
in Python, or upload media via third-party platform interfaces.