In simple terms, a Telegram bot is a third-party application that runs inside the Telegram messaging app. Think of it as an automated program or robot that you can interact with in your chats.
Instead of being a human on the other end, it's a piece of software that can understand commands, send and receive messages, and perform automated tasks. You can use them in private chats, group chats, or channels.
Key Characteristics of Telegram Bots
-
@Username: Every bot has a unique username that always ends with
bot, like@WeatherBotor@QuizBot. - Powered by the Bot API: Telegram provides developers with a powerful Bot API—a set of tools and methods—to build these bots.
- No Inner AI (Usually): Most bots are not intelligent on their own. They follow a strict set of rules and commands programmed by their creator. However, many modern bots now integrate with external AI services (like ChatGPT) to provide intelligent responses.
- Interactive: Bots can use custom keyboards, buttons, and inline queries to make interaction smooth and user-friendly.
Example: Zojax Trading Bot
Zojax has developed a Telegram bot that integrates with the dYdX Perpetuals trading platform. It monitors the net profit of perpetual positions on dYdX and automatically takes profit when the combined profit of all positions reaches a user-specified profit threshold.
This is a screenshot of a pair of open perpetual positions on DYDX.
This is the Telegram bot that allows a user to set a profit threshold. When the net profit of both positions reaches the threshold, the bot automatically closes both DYDX positions.
Conclusion
Telegram bots transform chats into interactive, automated experiences. From simple utilities like weather updates to advanced financial trading assistants like the Zojax bot, they are versatile tools that combine convenience, automation, and in some cases, AI intelligence.