# Telegram

Source: https://docs.generalaugment.com/channels/telegram/
Description: Configure Telegram as a GA messaging channel.

Telegram is the recommended channel for fast live testing.

## Create a bot

1. Open BotFather in Telegram.
2. Run `/newbot`.
3. Copy the bot token.
4. Paste it into the dashboard channel setup page or use the CLI.

```bash
genaug channels connect \
  --project demo-agent \
  --channel telegram \
  --bot-token "$TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN"
genaug channels status --project demo-agent
```

## Webhook

General Augment sets the webhook to:

```text
https://api.generalaugment.com/api/v1/webhooks/telegram
```

The gateway validates the Telegram secret token before processing updates.

## Test

Send `hello` to the Telegram bot from your Telegram account, then verify usage on the
[dashboard billing page](https://app.generalaugment.com/dashboard/billing).