Mini-Guide on Implementing Telegram Bot Commands ​

A common way to interact with bots is through commands. Commands start with “/” and consist of latin letters, digits, and underscores.

The commands are highlighted similarly to links. A user can tap on a command to send it.

Commands in groups ​

To distinguish commands for different bots in groups, Telegram suggests ending commands with bot usernames. For example, /start@examplebot

When a user clicks on a command in a bot message, they will automatically send a command with bot username appended.

A bot can't see commands ending with other usernames.

Command lists ​

Through BotFather, a bot developer can specify a list of command hints with short descriptions. In this case, whenever a user starts typing a command in chat with the bot, they will see autocomplete menu.

In addition, users will see a "menu" button in personal dialogs and groups with the bot. The button will open the autocomplete menu.

If there is /help in the command list, a "Help with bot" button which sends this command appears in bot profile. Similarly, /settings command creates a "Settings" button and /privacy creates a "Privacy policy" button.

Alternative way to specify command hints is through API. This way, a bot may show different menus depending on users and groups. The menus can also depend on user language (which is convenient for localizing command descriptions) or user admin status (which can be used for group moderation features.)

Command arguments ​

It is not forbidden to ask users to enter additional text after a command, like /weather London.

However, it's difficult for users to enter commands such way. If a user chooses a command in the auto-completion menu, they normally send it immediately. To complete the command but not send it, a user should press tab key in the desktop apps or long-tap the command in case of the mobile apps. This is a feature of which many users are not aware.

Telegram recommends implementing specific commands that can be used without arguments.

If this is not a way for you, you can consider other ways of interaction. Buttons or inline mode may fit for selecting from multiple options. For some additional information from the user, the bot can simply ask a question in the next message.