# About Telegram Group Bots

ConnectiveOne allows creating bots that can listen and respond in Telegram groups. This allows automating work in groups, processing commands, and forwarding messages to operators.

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## Context and Problem

In many cases, you need automation in Telegram groups:
- Bot that executes commands in groups (`/command@mybot`)
- Bot that recognizes mentions to itself (`@mybot pay attention`)
- Bot that listens to all messages in the group and forwards them to operators

Group bots solve this task by allowing automating work and providing operator support in groups.

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## Key Concepts

### Types of Group Bots

**Command bot:**
- Responds to commands like `/command@mybot`
- Executes specific actions by commands
- Uses action for command processing

**Mention bot:**
- Recognizes mentions to itself through `@mybot`
- Can save information or forward to operators
- Uses text message checking

**Listener bot:**
- Listens to all messages in the group
- Forwards messages to operator panel
- Allows operators to respond on behalf of the bot

### Group Privacy Settings

For a bot to listen to all messages in a group, you need to disable "Group Privacy" in BotFather:
1. Open BotFather
2. Select bot
3. "Bot Settings" → "Group Privacy"
4. Disable "Group Privacy"

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## Approach Options

### Commands vs Mentions vs Listener

**Commands:**
- ✅ Pros: Clear structure, easy to process
- ❌ Cons: Limited flexibility

**Mentions:**
- ✅ Pros: More natural interaction
- ❌ Cons: Requires text processing

**Listener:**
- ✅ Pros: Full control, operator support possibility
- ❌ Cons: Requires Group Privacy configuration

**Why we use different approaches:**
Each approach suits different usage scenarios and client needs.

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## Adopted Solutions

### Using Action for Processing

For processing commands and mentions, Action blocks are used that:
- Analyze message text
- Determine command type or mention
- Return events for scenario transition

### Forwarding to Operator Panel

For forwarding messages to the operator panel, action `operator_panel__connect_to_operator_with_msg` is used, which allows:
- Creating chat in operator panel
- Forwarding message and user data
- Allowing operator to respond on behalf of the bot

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## Implications for Users and Implementation

### For Integrators

When creating group bots, it's important to:

1. **Configure Group Privacy** — for listener bots, disable Group Privacy in BotFather
2. **Create Action for processing** — for commands and mentions
3. **Configure forwarding to operator panel** — if operator support is needed
4. **Handle different message types** — text, media, commands

### Common Errors

**Error:** Bot does not respond to commands  
**Problem:** Commands are not configured in BotFather or incorrect Action processing  
**Solution:** Check command settings and Action processing

**Error:** Bot does not see messages in group  
**Problem:** Group Privacy is not disabled  
**Solution:** Disable Group Privacy in BotFather

**Error:** Operator cannot respond on behalf of bot  
**Problem:** Forwarding to operator panel is not configured  
**Solution:** Use `operator_panel__connect_to_operator_with_msg` to create chat

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## Usage Examples

### Command Processing

```javascript
const action_handle_command = function() {
    const j = this.getCurrentStateJSON();
    const command = j.user_request?.text || '';
    
    if (command === '/start@mybot') {
        return 'start';
    } else if (command === '/help@mybot') {
        return 'help';
    }
    
    return 'unknown';
};
```

### Mention Check

```javascript
const action_check_mention = function() {
    const j = this.getCurrentStateJSON();
    const message = j.user_request?.text || '';
    const bot_username = 'mybot';
    
    if (message.includes(`@${bot_username}`)) {
        return 'mentioned';
    }
    
    return 'not_mentioned';
};
```

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## Related Documents

- **Reference:** [Telegram Bot API Documentation](https://core.telegram.org/bots/api#available-methods) — official Telegram documentation about bots
- **Explanation:** [Connecting Chat with Operator](/en/operatorline/explanation/connect-chat-to-operator.md) — forwarding messages to operator panel