If you want a terminal-first Telegram setup, keep the whole flow in the CLI: add the bot, probe the channel, inspect logs for IDs, then decide whether you want pairing or an explicit allowlist.
Quick answer
Use openclaw channels add --channel telegram --token ..., then verify with openclaw channels status --probe and openclaw logs --follow.
Command line steps
1. Add the Telegram bot token
This is the cleanest CLI-only way to attach Telegram.
BASH
$openclaw channels add --channel telegram --token "$TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN"
2. Probe the channel and follow the logs
Logs are the fastest way to confirm that Telegram traffic is reaching the gateway.
BASH
$openclaw channels status --probe
openclaw logs --follow
3. Read your Telegram user ID before you build allowlists
Use the live logs or the Bot API to avoid guessing.
BASH
$curl "https://api.telegram.org/bot$TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN/getUpdates"
What to check if it still fails
- If you prefer not to rely on pairing, move to
allowFromonce you know your numeric Telegram ID. - If the bot sees DMs but not groups, revisit privacy mode or admin permissions in Telegram itself.
- If the probe passes but replies still fail, the problem is probably the model layer, not Telegram.