/start command. Step 1: Log In to the BotSailor Dashboard
Visit the BotSailor website and sign in to your account.
After logging in, you will be taken to the main dashboard, where you can manage your connected bots, subscribers, automation, broadcasts, AI usage, and other chatbot features.
Step 2: Open the Chatbot Manager
From the left-hand navigation menu, go to the Chatbot Manager section.
The Chatbot Manager allows you to view and manage the messaging accounts and bots connected to your BotSailor account.
Step 3: Select the Telegram Section
Inside the Chatbot Manager, locate the available messaging platforms and select the Telegram section.
Make sure your Telegram bot is already connected to BotSailor. Once a Telegram bot is connected, BotSailor allows you to create automated conversations, manage subscribers, build chatbot flows, and send messages through the bot.
Step 4: Select Your Telegram Bot
From the list of connected Telegram bots, click the bot you want to configure.
In this example, the selected bot is called Semibot .
After selecting Semibot, you will see different management sections, including:
- Automation
- Data Collection
- AI
- Engagement
- Group Manager
- Integrations
- Bot Settings
Step 5: Go to the Automation Section
Click the Automation tab at the top of the bot management page.
The Automation section contains the tools needed to create and manage automated responses for your Telegram bot.
Step 6: Open Quick Actions
Under the Automation section, click Quick Actions .
The Quick Actions panel contains predefined system actions that respond to different subscriber activities. These actions may include:
- Get-started
- No Match
- Un-subscribe
- Re-subscribe
- Phone Reply
- Email Reply
- Location Reply
- Birthday Reply
- Chat with Human
- Chat with Bot
BotSailor’s action buttons are connected to the Visual Flow Builder, allowing you to edit their default messages and create more advanced response flows.
Step 7: Select the Get-Started Option
Find the Get-started option under Action Buttons and click it.
The Get Started action works as 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
Selecting the option will open the Get-Started template in the Visual Flow Builder.
Step 8: Configure the Get Started Text Message
Inside the Flow Builder, you will see the following connected components:
- Actions
- Start Bot Flow
- Text Message
Click the Text component to open the Configure Text Message panel.
Enter the message you want new subscribers to receive in the Reply Message field. For example:
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.
You can make the message more personalized by using available subscriber variables, such as the subscriber’s first or last name. BotSailor supports personalization tags inside flow messages.
A more engaging example could be:
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.
Step 9: Add Other Content to the Welcome Flow
Your Get Started flow does not have to contain only text. BotSailor’s Flow Builder supports several content types, including:
- Images
- Videos
- Audio messages
- Downloadable files
- Buttons
- Quick replies
- External URL buttons
- Interactive options
- API connections
These elements can help you create a more useful and engaging welcome experience. 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 to provide more dynamic and context-aware responses. BotSailor’s AI features can work across Telegram and other supported messaging platforms, respond using trained information, detect user intent, trigger chatbot flows, and route conversations to human agents.
Step 10: Save the Text Message
After writing and configuring your message, click the Save Changes button at the bottom of the Configure Text Message panel.
This saves the content inside the selected Text component.
Step 11: Save the Complete Flow
After saving the text component, click the main Save button in the upper-right corner of the Flow Builder.
Make sure you complete both saving actions:
- Click Save Changes for the individual message.
- Click Save for the complete chatbot flow.
BotSailor’s official instructions also recommend saving and publishing the flow after editing an Action Button response.
Step 12: Test the Get Started Message in Telegram
Open the Telegram application and search for your connected bot, Semibot .
Open the conversation and send:
/start
The bot should immediately send the Get Started message that you configured in the Flow Builder.
In this example, the output will appear similar to:
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.
BotSailor recommends opening the connected bot in Telegram and starting a conversation to confirm that the configured welcome message or bot flow is working correctly.
Telegram chat interface displaying a Semibot automated response flow where users receive a welcome message after initiating a conversation with the chatbot.
Step 13: Review and Improve the Message
Check the message carefully in the Telegram application. Confirm that:
- The complete message is displayed.
- 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.
When changes are needed, return to Automation → Quick Actions → Get-started , update the flow, and save it again.
Setting up a Get Started message in BotSailor helps create a professional first impression for new Telegram subscribers. By using the Quick Actions section and Visual Flow Builder, you can create a simple welcome message or build a complete onboarding experience containing text, media, buttons, automated actions and AI-powered responses.
Once the flow is saved, test it by sending the /start command to your Telegram bot. A clear and helpful opening message can introduce your service, guide users through available options and encourage them to continue the conversation.
