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Connect a messaging bot

Telegram and Discord each require their own bot setup. You need permission to manage the worker’s channel and the relevant provider application or server.
Bot tokens are secrets. Enter them only in the channel’s secret field, never in a prompt, screenshot, or public repository. Rotate exposed tokens with the provider and update Odella.

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Telegram

  1. In Telegram, open the official @BotFather and send /newbot.
  2. Provide a display name and an available bot username following BotFather’s requirements.
  3. Copy the bot token into the Telegram channel editor in Odella, along with the requested bot details.
  4. Complete the create/activation flow and review Channel Access.
  5. Open the bot using its displayed username/link, start the conversation, and send a low-risk direct request.
Use the bot username returned by Telegram, not an assumed username based on the worker’s display name. If activation fails, verify the token and bot identity before creating another bot.

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Discord

  1. Open the Discord Developer Portal and create an application.
  2. Review the bot’s name and profile. In the bot settings, obtain the bot token.
  3. Follow the Odella setup guide’s gateway-intent checklist, including its Message Content, Server Members, and Presence settings. Review privileged-intent requirements with your Discord administrator.
  4. Paste the bot token into Odella and complete channel creation. The setup derives the application identity during activation; do not guess an Application ID.
  5. Use the generated installation link once available to add the bot to the intended server and approve the required permissions.
  6. Test a direct request or allowed message path, then confirm the response and Activity in Odella.
Discord’s server/channel permissions still apply. A bot installed on a server may not have permission to read or reply in every channel.

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Troubleshooting

  • Invalid token: Verify it in the provider dashboard; if rotated, update the Odella secret too.
  • Discord installation link unavailable: Complete activation so the application identity can be resolved.
  • Bot present but not responding: Check provider intents/permissions, Odella publication, inbound policy, and worker availability.
  • Message send needs approval: Review the actual request through Approvals.
For broader channel policy, see Communication channels.