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OpenClaw Telegram Setup Guide

Telegram is still the fastest way to verify that OpenClaw is installed correctly, the gateway can answer messages, and your first real channel workflow is ready. This guide covers the full OpenClaw Telegram setup flow, from bot creation and bot token configuration to restart, pairing, and no-reply troubleshooting.

Why start with Telegram

  • Telegram is usually the easiest OpenClaw channel to validate after installation
  • You only need a bot token and one successful reply to confirm the gateway loop is working
  • It is a practical first step before you add more channels, skills, or browser relay workflows

What you’ll achieve

  • Create a Telegram bot and get the Bot Token
  • Enable Telegram channel in OpenClaw
  • Restart gateway and verify responses
  • Fix common issues such as no replies, blocked network access, and pairing failures

Step 0: Ensure the OpenClaw gateway is running

Command
openclaw gateway status || trueopenclaw gateway --detach

If the gateway is already running, this check confirms that your OpenClaw runtime is available before you connect Telegram. If the process does not stay up, go to /docs/troubleshooting first.

Step 1: Create a bot with BotFather

  • Search for @BotFather
  • Run /newbot
  • Copy the Telegram Bot Token you receive

Step 2: Configure the Telegram bot token

Command
openclaw config set channels.telegram.botToken "YOUR_TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN"openclaw config set channels.telegram.enabled true

This is the key OpenClaw Telegram setting. If the token is wrong or missing, the bot may appear online but normal messages will never receive a reply.

Step 3: Restart the gateway

Command
openclaw gateway restart

Restarting forces the gateway to reload the updated Telegram channel config. If you skip this step, your new bot token may not be picked up.

Step 4: Test in Telegram

  • Find your bot
  • Send /start
  • Send a normal text message and confirm the bot replies

Step 5: Approve pairing if required

Command
openclaw pairing approve telegram <PAIRING_CODE>

Fix no replies, blocked networks, or token issues

  • Re-check the saved bot token with openclaw config get channels.telegram.botToken
  • Restart the gateway again after each Telegram config change
  • Confirm your server can reach https://api.telegram.org
  • If the bot still does not answer, compare the gateway token and runtime checks in /docs/advanced-config and /docs/troubleshooting

Proxy tip for restricted networks

Command
export https_proxy=http://127.0.0.1:7890export http_proxy=http://127.0.0.1:7890openclaw gateway restart

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