How to Build a Telegram Bot with n8n in Minutes

Telegram is the easiest messaging app to automate because bots are free and simple to create.

Step 1: Create the bot

Chat with Telegram’s BotFather, create a new bot and copy the token it gives you. Treat the token like a password.

Step 2: Add credentials in n8n

Create Telegram credentials with that token.

Step 3: Use a trigger or send a message

The Telegram Trigger starts a workflow when someone messages your bot. The Telegram node sends messages, photos or files.

Step 4: Find chat IDs

To message a person or group, you need their chat ID, which appears in the incoming message data.

Ideas

Alerts when a workflow fails (error workflows).
Daily summary to a team group.
A simple assistant using an AI node (AI agent).

Cautions

Do not share the token. If it leaks, revoke it through BotFather and create a new one. Bots in groups can see messages depending on settings, so consider privacy.

Quick answers

Is Telegram bot creation free?

Creating a bot is free through BotFather.

How do I find a chat ID?

It appears in the incoming message data from the Telegram Trigger.

What if my bot token leaks?

Revoke it in BotFather and create a new one.