PyTelegramBotAPI: Your Python Telegram Bot Guide
Unlock the potential of Telegram bots with pyTelegramBotAPI, a comprehensive Python library. This guide will walk you through setup, usage, and advanced features.
Getting Started with pyTelegramBotAPI
pyTelegramBotAPI is a Python library that simplifies the creation of Telegram bots. It handles the underlying Telegram Bot API, allowing you to focus on your bot's logic.
Installation
Install the library using pip:
pip install pyTelegramBotAPI
Basic Usage
Here's a simple example to get you started:
import telebot
API_TOKEN = 'YOUR_TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN'
bot = telebot.TeleBot(API_TOKEN)
@bot.message_handler(commands=['start', 'hello'])
def send_welcome(message):
bot.reply_to(message, "Howdy, how are you doing?")
@bot.message_handler(func=lambda msg: True)
def echo_all(message):
bot.reply_to(message, message.text)
bot.infinity_polling()
Replace 'YOUR_TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN'
with your actual bot token obtained from BotFather on Telegram.
Key Features
- Message Handling: Easily handle different types of messages.
- Command Handling: Create commands that users can trigger.
- Inline Queries: Support inline queries for dynamic responses.
- Keyboards: Implement custom keyboards for user input.
Message Handlers
Message handlers are used to define how your bot responds to different types of messages. For example:
@bot.message_handler(commands=['help'])
def help_command(message):
bot.send_message(message.chat.id, "Available commands: /start, /help")
Inline Queries
Inline queries allow users to interact with your bot without adding it to a group or channel. Here's how to handle inline queries:
@bot.inline_handler(lambda query: len(query.query) > 0)
def query_text(inline_query):
results = [
telebot.types.InlineQueryResultArticle(
id='1',
title='Result',
input_message_content=telebot.types.InputTextMessageContent(message_text='Result message')
)
]
bot.answer_inline_query(inline_query.id, results)
Advanced Usage
Custom Keyboards
Custom keyboards can enhance user experience. Example:
keyboard = telebot.types.ReplyKeyboardMarkup(row_width=2)
itembtn1 = telebot.types.KeyboardButton('A')
itembtn2 = telebot.types.KeyboardButton('B')
keyboard.add(itembtn1, itembtn2)
@bot.message_handler(commands=['keyboard'])
def send_keyboard(message):
bot.send_message(message.chat.id, "Choose an option:", reply_markup=keyboard)
Webhooks
For production bots, use webhooks for real-time updates. Configure your bot to receive updates via a webhook:
bot = telebot.TeleBot(API_TOKEN)
bot.set_webhook(url='YOUR_WEBHOOK_URL')
Best Practices
- Secure Your Token: Keep your API token secure.
- Handle Errors: Implement error handling to prevent crashes.
- Rate Limiting: Be mindful of Telegram's rate limits.
Conclusion
pyTelegramBotAPI is a powerful tool for creating Telegram bots. With its simple interface and extensive features, you can build bots for various purposes. Dive in and start automating your Telegram interactions today!
For more information and detailed documentation, refer to the official pyTelegramBotAPI GitHub repository.