> This page location: Neon Functions > Example apps > Telegram bot
> Full Neon documentation index: https://neon.com/docs/llms.txt

> Summary: Host a Telegram bot on Neon Functions. Receive webhook updates, run bot commands, verify the webhook secret token, and store data in Postgres on the same branch.

# How to host a Telegram bot on Neon Functions

Receive Telegram messages, run bot commands and store data in Postgres

Telegram can send bot updates to an HTTPS webhook. A [Neon Function](https://neon.com/docs/compute/functions/overview) can receive those updates, run bot commands and query Postgres from the same branch.

The template verifies the secret token on each incoming update, handles messages and processes inline keyboard callbacks. See Telegram's [Bot API](https://core.telegram.org/bots/api) when you add other update types.

**Note: Webhook delivery only**

This guide uses Telegram webhooks. It doesn't run a polling process with `getUpdates`. Telegram disables `getUpdates` while a webhook is active.

## Prerequisites

- A Neon project in AWS US East (Ohio) (`aws-us-east-2`), AWS US East (N. Virginia) (`aws-us-east-1`), AWS Europe (Frankfurt) (`aws-eu-central-1`), or AWS Asia Pacific (Singapore) (`aws-ap-southeast-1`). Support is expanding toward [all regions](https://neon.com/docs/introduction/regions). See [Get started with Neon Functions](https://neon.com/docs/compute/functions/get-started).
- The latest [Neon CLI](https://neon.com/docs/cli), installed and authenticated. Upgrade with `npm install -g neon@latest`, then see [CLI login](https://neon.com/docs/cli/login).
- Node.js 24 (`node -v`). Deployed functions run on `nodejs24`, so 24 locally is the closest match. Node.js 20+ works.
- A Telegram account.

The template uses npm. Its scripts load Telegram values from `.env.local`, the same convention as Next.js and `vercel env pull`.

## Create a Telegram bot

Open [BotFather](https://t.me/BotFather) in Telegram and send `/newbot`. BotFather asks for a display name and username. Usernames must be 5 to 32 characters and end in `bot`. They can contain Latin letters, numbers and underscores. For example, use `example_neon_bot`. You can't change the username later.

After you choose a username, BotFather sends you an authentication token and a link to the bot. Save both for later.

**Warning:** Treat the bot token like a password. Anyone who has it can control your bot. Never commit it or paste it into screenshots, tickets or chat. If it leaks, use `/token` in BotFather to replace it.

For more BotFather options, see [Creating a new bot](https://core.telegram.org/bots/features#creating-a-new-bot).

## Scaffold the project

`neon bootstrap` copies the Telegram example into a new directory and prompts you to install dependencies and set up the project. Accept the prompts. Pass `--no-link` to skip linking for now; you'll [link](https://neon.com/docs/cli/link) in the next step, after creating `.env.local`, so Neon writes its variables straight into that file. The template ID is `telegram-bot-http`:

```bash
neon bootstrap my-telegram-bot --template telegram-bot-http --no-link
cd my-telegram-bot
```

See [`neon bootstrap`](https://neon.com/docs/cli/bootstrap) for flags. Later commands in this guide assume you're in that directory.

To start from the source instead, copy [bots/telegram-bot-http](https://github.com/neondatabase/examples/tree/main/bots/telegram-bot-http) from the [examples](https://github.com/neondatabase/examples) repo, `cd` into it, then install dependencies and run `neon link`.

`neon.ts` declares the `telegram` function and passes the bot token and webhook secret to it:

```ts filename="neon.ts"
import { defineConfig } from "@neon/config/v1";

export default defineConfig({
  functions: {
    telegram: {
      name: "Telegram webhook",
      source: "./functions/telegram.ts",
      env: {
        TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN: process.env.TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN!,
        TELEGRAM_WEBHOOK_SECRET: process.env.TELEGRAM_WEBHOOK_SECRET!,
      },
      dev: {
        port: 8787,
      },
    },
  },
});
```

The key `telegram` is the function slug. It's permanent after the first deploy and appears in CLI commands and the invocation URL. See the [neon.ts reference](https://neon.com/docs/reference/neon-ts).

This walkthrough deploys the function before connecting Telegram. Telegram requires a public HTTPS webhook, so it can't reach `localhost` unless you use a tunnel.

## Add Telegram secrets

Bootstrap scaffolds a `.env.example` but no `.env.local`. Install dependencies, copy the example, then link. `neon link` loads `neon.ts` to pull the branch's variables, so the packages must be installed first:

```bash
npm install
cp .env.example .env.local
neon link
```

Linking merges `DATABASE_URL`, `DATABASE_URL_UNPOOLED`, `NEON_BRANCH`, and `NEON_FUNCTION_TELEGRAM_BASE_URL` (your function's public URL, ready before you deploy) into `.env.local`, leaving the Telegram keys untouched.

Generate a webhook secret:

```bash
openssl rand -hex 32
```

Uncomment and set `TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN` (the BotFather token) and `TELEGRAM_WEBHOOK_SECRET` (the value you just generated). Leave `TELEGRAM_WEBHOOK_URL` empty until you deploy:

```env filename=".env.local"
# Required. Add real values before deploying; a missing key throws at deploy, an empty one uploads "".
# TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN=
# TELEGRAM_WEBHOOK_SECRET=

# Local only, used by the set:webhook script. Set after you deploy.
TELEGRAM_WEBHOOK_URL=

# Written into `.env.local` by `neon link`.
NEON_BRANCH=
DATABASE_URL=
DATABASE_URL_UNPOOLED=
NEON_FUNCTION_TELEGRAM_BASE_URL=
```

The webhook secret can contain 1 to 256 characters from `A-Z`, `a-z`, `0-9`, `_` and `-`. The `openssl` command above produces a valid value.

Leave the pulled `NEON_*` and `DATABASE_URL*` values as written. See [Environment variables](https://neon.com/docs/compute/functions/environment-variables).

Only the local webhook setup script reads `TELEGRAM_WEBHOOK_URL`. Neon doesn't pass it to the function.

## Deploy the function

The `deploy` script runs `neon deploy --env .env.local`, which evaluates `neon.ts` with your Telegram secrets in `process.env`:

```bash
npm run deploy
```

The CLI applies the `neon.ts` policy, bundles the function and waits for the deployment to finish. You'll see `Applied changes` and a **Function URLs** list. If the deployment fails, check [function logs](https://neon.com/docs/compute/functions/logs) and [Deploy and manage functions](https://neon.com/docs/compute/functions/deploy).

## Apply the database schema

```bash
npm run db:push
```

`neon link` wrote `DATABASE_URL` into `.env.local`, so you can apply the schema any time after linking. `/ping` works without the tables; `/name` and `/profile` need them.

## Set the webhook

Telegram sends updates to `/api/webhook`. Your webhook URL is `NEON_FUNCTION_TELEGRAM_BASE_URL` (from `.env.local`) with `/api/webhook` appended. Set `TELEGRAM_WEBHOOK_URL` to it:

```env filename=".env.local"
TELEGRAM_WEBHOOK_URL=https://br-cool-darkness-123456-telegram.compute.us-east-2.aws.neon.tech/api/webhook
```

Register that URL and your webhook secret with Telegram:

```bash
npm run set:webhook
```

The script calls Telegram's [`setWebhook`](https://core.telegram.org/bots/api#setwebhook) method with the URL, webhook secret and the `message` and `callback_query` update types. Telegram returns `true` when it accepts the webhook.

The function URL must use HTTPS. Telegram includes your secret in the `X-Telegram-Bot-Api-Secret-Token` header on every update.

If you change the webhook secret, run `npm run deploy` first so the function has the new value. Then run `npm run set:webhook` again so Telegram sends the same value.

Open the webhook URL in a browser to check that the function is available. A GET request returns:

```json
{
  "ok": true,
  "service": "telegram-webhook",
  "webhookPath": "/api/webhook",
  "webhookUrl": "https://br-cool-darkness-123456-telegram.compute.us-east-2.aws.neon.tech/api/webhook"
}
```

`ok: true` confirms only that the function is reachable at that URL. `webhookUrl` echoes the public URL you requested; registering it with Telegram is still a separate step (`npm run set:webhook`). This GET doesn't verify the webhook secret or confirm webhook registration. A `true` result from `npm run set:webhook` confirms registration. Sending `/ping` verifies end-to-end delivery.

## Register bot commands

Register the command menu with Telegram:

```bash
npm run register:commands
```

The script calls Telegram's `setMyCommands` method with `/ping`, `/info`, `/help`, `/buttons`, `/name` and `/profile`. On success it prints `true`.

Run this command again after you change the command list.

## Try /ping

Open the bot link that BotFather gave you. If Telegram shows a **Start** button, click it. Then send `/ping`. The bot replies with `Pong` and an estimated webhook latency.

The template doesn't register a `/start` command, so tapping **Start** may return `Unknown command`. Send `/ping` instead.

If the bot doesn't reply:

- Confirm that `npm run set:webhook` returned `true`.
- Check that `TELEGRAM_WEBHOOK_URL` ends with `/api/webhook`.
- Check that `TELEGRAM_WEBHOOK_SECRET` matches the value used in the latest deployment.
- Redeploy after changing `TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN` or `TELEGRAM_WEBHOOK_SECRET`.
- Check [function logs](https://neon.com/docs/compute/functions/logs) for an invalid webhook secret, invalid update payload or Telegram API error.

Telegram retries webhook updates when your endpoint doesn't return a `2xx` response.

The template doesn't deduplicate Telegram `update_id` values. If you add a command with side effects, make it safe to run more than once.

## How it works

`functions/telegram.ts` handles GET and POST requests. GET returns the webhook URL. POST checks the secret header, validates the Telegram update and dispatches messages or button callbacks.

**Important: Verify the webhook secret**

Check `X-Telegram-Bot-Api-Secret-Token` before processing an update. The template compares it with `TELEGRAM_WEBHOOK_SECRET` using Node.js `timingSafeEqual`.

The POST path verifies the secret before parsing the update:

```ts filename="functions/telegram.ts"
  const isVerified = verifyTelegramRequest(
    getTelegramWebhookSecret(),
    request.headers.get("x-telegram-bot-api-secret-token"),
  );

  if (!isVerified) {
    return jsonResponse({ error: "invalid webhook secret" }, { status: 401 });
  }

  let payloadBody: unknown;

  try {
    payloadBody = await request.json();
  } catch {
    return jsonResponse({ error: "invalid json" }, { status: 400 });
  }
```

It handles callback queries, tracks recognized commands without delaying replies and sends `Unknown command. Try /help.` for unsupported commands.

<details>

<summary>View full code: </summary>

```typescript
import { TELEGRAM_WEBHOOK_PATH } from "../src/constants/telegram.js";
import { getTelegramBotToken, getTelegramWebhookSecret } from "../src/env.js";
import { telegramUpdateSchema } from "../src/schemas/telegram.js";
import { commandHandlers, trackTelegramCommandRun } from "../src/utils/telegramCommands.js";
import {
  createButtonTestClickMessage,
  parseButtonTestCallbackData,
} from "../src/utils/generalComponents.js";
import { jsonResponse } from "../src/utils/jsonResponse.js";
import {
  answerTelegramCallbackQuery,
  editTelegramMessageText,
  sendTelegramMessage,
} from "../src/utils/telegramApi.js";
import { createErrorMessage } from "../src/utils/telegramResponses.js";
import { parseTelegramCommand } from "../src/utils/telegramText.js";
import { verifyTelegramRequest } from "../src/utils/verifyTelegramRequest.js";

const handleCallbackQuery = async (
  botToken: string,
  update: Awaited<ReturnType<typeof telegramUpdateSchema.parse>>,
): Promise<Response> => {
  const callbackQuery = update.callback_query;

  if (!callbackQuery) {
    return jsonResponse({ ok: true });
  }

  const action = callbackQuery.data ? parseButtonTestCallbackData(callbackQuery.data) : undefined;

  if (!action) {
    await answerTelegramCallbackQuery({
      botToken,
      callbackQueryId: callbackQuery.id,
      text: "That button is not handled by this bot.",
    });

    return jsonResponse({ ok: true });
  }

  if (!callbackQuery.message) {
    await answerTelegramCallbackQuery({
      botToken,
      callbackQueryId: callbackQuery.id,
      text: "The original message is not available.",
    });

    return jsonResponse({ ok: true });
  }

  const responseMessage = createButtonTestClickMessage(callbackQuery.message.chat.id, action);

  await Promise.all([
    answerTelegramCallbackQuery({ botToken, callbackQueryId: callbackQuery.id }),
    editTelegramMessageText({
      botToken,
      chatId: responseMessage.chatId,
      messageId: callbackQuery.message.message_id,
      replyMarkup: responseMessage.replyMarkup,
      text: responseMessage.text,
    }),
  ]);

  return jsonResponse({ ok: true });
};

export default async function handler(request: Request): Promise<Response> {
  const url = new URL(request.url);

  switch (request.method) {
    case "GET":
      return jsonResponse({
        ok: true,
        service: "telegram-webhook",
        webhookPath: TELEGRAM_WEBHOOK_PATH,
        webhookUrl: `${url.origin}${TELEGRAM_WEBHOOK_PATH}`,
      });
    case "POST":
      break;
    default:
      return jsonResponse({ error: "method not allowed" }, { status: 405 });
  }

  const isVerified = verifyTelegramRequest(
    getTelegramWebhookSecret(),
    request.headers.get("x-telegram-bot-api-secret-token"),
  );

  if (!isVerified) {
    return jsonResponse({ error: "invalid webhook secret" }, { status: 401 });
  }

  let payloadBody: unknown;

  try {
    payloadBody = await request.json();
  } catch {
    return jsonResponse({ error: "invalid json" }, { status: 400 });
  }

  const parsedPayload = telegramUpdateSchema.safeParse(payloadBody);

  if (!parsedPayload.success) {
    return jsonResponse({ error: "invalid telegram update payload" }, { status: 400 });
  }

  const update = parsedPayload.data;
  const botToken = getTelegramBotToken();

  if (update.callback_query) {
    return handleCallbackQuery(botToken, update);
  }

  const message = update.message;
  const command = parseTelegramCommand(message?.text);

  if (!message || !command) {
    return jsonResponse({ ok: true });
  }

  const commandHandler = commandHandlers[command.name];

  if (commandHandler) {
    void trackTelegramCommandRun(message, command.name);

    const responseMessage = await commandHandler({
      args: command.args,
      botToken,
      command: command.name,
      message,
      request,
      update,
      url,
    });

    await sendTelegramMessage({ botToken, ...responseMessage });

    return jsonResponse({ ok: true });
  }

  await sendTelegramMessage({
    botToken,
    ...createErrorMessage(message.chat.id, "Unknown command. Try /help."),
  });

  return jsonResponse({ ok: true });
}

```

</details>

View it on [GitHub](https://github.com/neondatabase/examples/blob/main/bots/telegram-bot-http/functions/telegram.ts).

## Commands

- `/ping`: replies with Pong and an estimated webhook latency.
- `/info`: Node.js version, platform, request method, function URL and Neon branch.
- `/help`: lists the template's commands.
- `/buttons`: inline keyboard with refresh, echo, time and confirm callbacks.
- `/name <your name>`: stores a display name. `/name` without an argument shows the stored name.
- `/profile`: stored name, total command count and per-command usage.

The template stores Telegram user IDs, display names and usage counts in the `profiles` and `command_usage` tables. Usage tracking is best-effort and doesn't block replies. If the database misses a 2.5-second deadline, the bot replies "Warming up"; run the command again once the branch is warm.

## Related templates

- [Discord HTTP bot](https://github.com/neondatabase/examples/tree/main/bots/discord-bot-http)
- [WhatsApp HTTP bot](https://github.com/neondatabase/examples/tree/main/bots/whatsapp-bot-http)

## Example

Create a copy of the example with the Neon CLI:

```bash
neon bootstrap my-telegram-bot --template telegram-bot-http
cd my-telegram-bot
```

You can find the example in [`bots/telegram-bot-http`](https://github.com/neondatabase/examples/tree/main/bots/telegram-bot-http).

---

## Related docs (Example apps)

- [Discord bot](https://neon.com/docs/compute/functions/discord-bot)
- [WhatsApp bot](https://neon.com/docs/compute/functions/whatsapp-bot)

---

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