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Getting Started

So, you want to build a Telegram bot. But you probably don't want to rent a virtual server, figure out SSL certificates, or explain to your friends why a simple "hello world" bot needs a database and Docker setup.

Good news: you don't have to. That is exactly why TeleBotHost exists.

This guide will take you from absolute zero to a live, working bot in under five minutes. No coding required for your very first command.

1. Create a Bot on Telegram

Before TeleBotHost can run your bot, we need to register it with Telegram. We do this using Telegram’s official bot manager: @BotFather. Yes, the name is a Godfather reference.

  1. Open Telegram and search for @BotFather. (Make sure it has the blue verification checkmark!)
  2. Click Start and send the command /newbot.
  3. Give your bot a friendly display name (e.g., My Cool Support Assistant).
  4. Choose a unique username that ends with the word bot (e.g., super_helper_xyz_bot).
  5. BotFather will send you a message with an API Token (a long string of letters and numbers).
  6. Copy that token and keep it secret. Treat it like a password!

2. Connect Your Bot to TeleBotHost

Now, let's give your bot a brain:

  1. Open the TeleBotHost Console.
  2. Log in or create a quick free account.
  3. On your dashboard, click Add Bot.
  4. Paste the API Token you copied from BotFather.
  5. Click Create.

Your bot is now registered in your dashboard!

3. Add Your First Command

Let's teach your bot how to say hello:

  1. Click on your new bot in the dashboard to open its panel.
  2. Go to the Commands section and click Add Command.
  3. In the Command field, type /start (this is the button users click when they first open your bot).
  4. In the Answer field, type what you want the bot to reply with: 
    Hello! Welcome to my first Telegram bot. Send me /start to see this message again!
  5. Click Save Command.

4. Turn the Bot On!

Your command is saved, but the bot is still sleeping:

  1. Look at the top right of your bot's panel in the dashboard.
  2. Click Launch Bot (or click the start button).
  3. The status will change to show your bot is Online.

5. Test It!

Now for the best part:

  1. Open Telegram.
  2. Search for your bot's username (e.g., @super_helper_xyz_bot) and open the chat.
  3. Click the Start button at the bottom (or send /start).
  4. Watch your bot respond instantly with the text you set up!

Congratulations, you are officially a bot developer. Take a screenshot, show your friends, or just celebrate.

What's Next?

Now that your bot is alive, let's make it smart:

  • Learning TBL — Take your first steps into writing simple JavaScript logic to make your bot interactive.
  • Your First Bot Tutorial — A hands-on walkthrough to build a /hello command with some custom logic.
  • Adding Keyboards — Give your users nice buttons to click instead of typing commands.