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name: telegram-bot-builder description: Build Telegram bots in Node.js. Use when a request mentions Telegram bot, BotFather, bot token, webhook, long polling, commands, inline keyboards, callback queries, or handling Telegram Bot API updates.

Telegram Bot Builder

Overview

Create production-ready Telegram bots in Node.js with clear setup steps, secure token handling, and reliable update processing. Default to telegraf unless the user specifies another library.

Workflow

1. Clarify requirements

• Ask for bot token availability (BotFather token) and whether commands are defined.
• Ask for hosting and update mode: webhook or long polling.
• Ask for features: commands, inline keyboards, callbacks, files, or integrations.
• Ask for data storage or state (sessions, database, or in-memory).

1. Choose library and update mode

• Use telegraf for modern middleware and strong typing support.
• Use node-telegram-bot-api only when explicitly requested.
• Prefer webhooks for production hosting, long polling for local or simple deployments.

1. Implement core bot flow

• Create command handlers and message routing.
• Validate inputs and avoid echoing secrets.
• Add error boundaries and logging.

1. Ship-ready details

• Provide install commands and env vars.
• Include webhook configuration or polling startup instructions.
• Provide quick test steps and sample output.

Common tasks

Build a basic bot

• Use references/telegraf.md for a minimal bot and message routing.

Add commands and keyboards

• Define commands in BotFather and mirror them in code.
• Use inline keyboards with callback queries; keep callback data small.

Webhooks and deployments

• Use references/webhooks.md for webhook setup and platform notes.

Alternate library

• If the user insists on node-telegram-bot-api, use references/node-telegram-bot-api.md.

Output expectations

• Provide runnable Node.js code (ESM by default; call out CJS if needed).
• List dependencies and install commands.
• List required env vars, especially TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN.
• Include a short verification checklist.

References

• references/telegraf.md
• references/webhooks.md
• references/node-telegram-bot-api.md