/start command. A Get Started message is the first automated reply users receive when they open your chatbot and send the /start command. In this guide, we will use a Telegram bot called Semibot to show how a telegram bot start button flow sends a friendly telegram start message automatically when a new conversation begins.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
- ● A BotSailor account that you can sign in to.
- ● A Telegram bot already connected to BotSailor (in this example, Semibot).
- ● The Telegram app, so you can test the message at the end.
- ● The welcome text you want new subscribers to receive.
Important
Your Telegram bot connection must be active before you configure the Get Started flow. Without it, users cannot begin a new conversation through the start action.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Log In to the BotSailor Dashboard
The dashboard is the main workspace where you manage connected bots, subscribers, automation, broadcasts, and AI usage.
- 1 Visit the BotSailor website.
- 2 Sign in to your account.
- 3 Confirm that you land on the main dashboard.
From here you can reach the tools needed for telegram bot commands, welcome messages, and subscriber engagement actions.
Step 2: Open the Chatbot Manager
The Chatbot Manager lets you view and manage the messaging accounts and bots connected to your BotSailor account.
- 1 In the left-hand navigation menu, click Chatbot Manager.
- 2 Review the list of messaging platforms available there.
Step 3: Select the Telegram Section
- 1 Inside the Chatbot Manager, find the available messaging platforms.
- 2 Click the Telegram section.
- 3 Confirm that your Telegram bot is already connected to BotSailor.
Once a Telegram bot is connected, users can interact with it using commands such as:
- ●/start
- ● Custom commands
- ● Trigger actions
These telegram bot commands define how users enter different chatbot flows.
Step 4: Select Your Telegram Bot
- 1 From the list of connected Telegram bots, click the bot you want to configure.
- 2 In this example, click Semibot.
- 3 Notice the management sections that appear for the selected bot.
These sections include:
- ●Automation
- ●Data Collection
- ●AI
- ●Engagement
- ●Group Manager
- ●Integrations
- ●Bot Settings
Important
Every automation, including your telegram bot auto welcome message flow, is connected to the specific bot you select here. Always double-check that you chose the correct bot.
Step 5: Go to the Automation Section
- 1 Click the Automation tab at the top of the bot management page.
- 2 Review the tools available for creating welcome flows, keyword responses, and other automated actions.
A Get Started flow is commonly the first step in a new conversation because it responds as soon as users interact with the bot.
Step 6: Open Quick Actions
- 1 Under the Automation section, click Quick Actions.
- 2 Review the predefined system actions listed there.
The Quick Actions panel may include:
- ●Get-started
- ●No Match
- ●Un-subscribe
- ●Re-subscribe
- ●Phone Reply
- ●Email Reply
- ●Location Reply
- ●Birthday Reply
- ●Chat with Human
- ●Chat with Bot
These action buttons are connected to the Visual Flow Builder, so you can edit their default messages and build more advanced response flows.
Step 7: Select the Get-Started Option
- 1 Find the Get-started option under Action Buttons.
- 2 Click Get-started to open its template in the Visual Flow Builder.
The Get Started action is the entry point for new users. It can be used to:
- ● Welcome subscribers
- ● Introduce your business or service
- ● Explain what the chatbot can do
- ● Ask users to provide information
- ● Direct users to another menu or flow
The /start command activates this initial flow, so users who tap the telegram bot start button are taken into this welcome sequence.
Step 8: Configure the Get Started Text Message
Inside the Flow Builder, you will see these connected components:
- ●Actions
- ●Start Bot Flow
- ●Text Message
- 1 Click the Text component to open the Configure Text Message panel.
- 2 Click the Reply Message field.
- 3 Type the message you want new subscribers to receive.
For example, you can use this simple message:
Hi! We are delighted to have you on board. We are grateful for your interest. If you have a question, we will do our best to answer it.
To make it more personal, use a subscriber variable such as the first name:
Hi {{first_name}}! Welcome to Semibot. We are delighted to have you here. Please send us your question or select an option below, and we will be happy to assist you.
Tip
A good telegram start message clearly explains the next step, whether users should select an option, ask a question, or explore your services.
Step 9: Add Other Content to the Welcome Flow
Your Get Started flow does not have to contain only text. The Flow Builder supports several content types:
- ● Images
- ● Videos
- ● Audio messages
- ● Downloadable files
- ● Buttons
- ● Quick replies
- ● External URL buttons
- ● Interactive options
- ● API connections
For example, you could add a company introduction video, a product catalogue, a service menu, or a button that connects users with customer support. You may also integrate BotSailor’s AI Agent for more dynamic, context-aware responses.
Remember
This step is optional. A simple text message is enough for a working welcome flow, and you can add more content later.
Step 10: Save the Text Message
- 1 Click the Save Changes button at the bottom of the Configure Text Message panel.
- 2 Check that the text block is connected to the Start Bot Flow component.
Saving stores the content inside the selected Text component so your message appears when users start the flow.
Step 11: Save the Complete Flow
- 1 Click the main Save button in the upper-right corner of the Flow Builder.
- 2 Confirm that you have completed both save actions: Save Changes for the message and Save for the whole flow.
Important
BotSailor’s official instructions recommend saving and publishing the flow after editing an Action Button response. Make sure both saves are done, or your telegram bot commands may not trigger the new message.
Step 12: Test the Get Started Message in Telegram
- 1 Open the Telegram app.
- 2 Search for your connected bot, Semibot, and open the conversation.
- 3 Send the /start command.
- 4 Check that the bot immediately replies with the Get Started message you configured.
If you used the simple example message, the reply should look like this:
Hi! We are delighted to have you on board. We are grateful for your interest. If you have a question, we will do our best to answer it.
Step 13: Review and Improve the Message
- 1 Read the message carefully in the Telegram app.
- 2 Check the points listed in the Success Verification section below.
- 3 If anything needs to change, go back to Automation → Quick Actions → Get-started.
- 4 Update the flow, then click Save Changes and Save again.
Success Verification
Your Get Started message is working correctly when all of these are true:
- ● The complete message is displayed in Telegram.
- ● The spelling and grammar are correct.
- ● Any images, videos, or files open properly.
- ● Buttons lead users to the correct destination.
- ● The next connected components are triggered correctly.
- ● The message clearly tells users what to do next.
Remember
Whenever you change the flow, save it again and send /start to Semibot to confirm the update. Testing after every change is the best way to catch mistakes early.
Troubleshooting
The bot does not reply when I send /start
Possible cause: The Telegram bot is not connected, or the flow was not saved.
Solution:
- 1 Open the Chatbot Manager and confirm your Telegram bot is connected.
- 2 Return to Automation → Quick Actions → Get-started.
- 3 Click Save Changes and then Save.
- 4 Send /start again in Telegram.
My changes do not appear in Telegram
Possible cause: Only one of the two saving actions was completed.
Solution: Click Save Changes in the Configure Text Message panel, then click the main Save button in the upper-right corner of the Flow Builder.
The bot sends an empty or wrong message
Possible cause: The text block is not connected to the Start Bot Flow component, or the Reply Message field is empty or incorrect.
Solution: Open the Text component, check the Reply Message field, and confirm it is connected to Start Bot Flow. Then save the flow again.
Buttons or media do not work as expected
Possible cause: A button, image, video, or file was added to the flow but not configured correctly.
Solution: Open the flow, review each added component, fix any wrong links or files, save the flow, and test it again in Telegram.
The welcome message is sent from the wrong bot
Possible cause: A different bot was selected in the Chatbot Manager.
Solution: Go back to the Telegram section, select the correct bot (in this example, Semibot), and edit its Get-started flow.
Next Steps
Now that your welcome flow is live, you can build on it:
- ●Add richer content: include images, videos, buttons, and quick replies in the Flow Builder.
- ●Try the AI Agent: use BotSailor’s AI features for more dynamic, context-aware replies.
- ●Create support pathways: add a button that connects users with customer support.
- ●Explore other Quick Actions: edit actions such as No Match or Un-subscribe in the same way.
- ●Keep testing: send /start to your bot after each update to confirm everything works.
To continue building your Telegram automation, read this related BotSailor guide on sequence messages: https://botsailor.com/knowledgebase/article/how-to-send-sequence-messages-on-telegram-using-botsailor
