Connection Procedure¶
Connecting bots or accounts to the system is done through our setup bot @hotlinetg_bot. The user who makes the connection is further considered the administrator (can manage connections, configure their parameters, assign roles to operators, etc.).
Multilingual Setup Bot
The setup bot works in several languages, send it the /language command if you need to change the interface language.
Currently supported: English, Russian, Spanish, German.
Creating Session and Link with Backend Group¶
Connection is made with the New Connection button in three simple steps in a couple of minutes:
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1. Choosing Connection Type¶
Decide which type of frontend you're connecting by clicking the Connect Bot or Connect Account button
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2. Creating Session¶
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For bots: send its token from Telegram bot @BotFather.
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For accounts: scan QR-code or send phone number with Telegram pin-code.
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3. Linking with Backend Group¶
Create a new topic group right during connection or select an existing one (you must be the group owner, or have rights to add other administrators to it).
Immediately after the third step, your connection can be tested, settings configured, operators invited to the group.
Hotline allows creating many connections by one administrator.
Testing Connection¶
To test the connection, it's enough to send any test message to the connected bot or account, in response the system should send its standard welcome in English.
In the linked backend group, a new topic should be created, whose name will be the account name from which you sent the test message.
Setting Parameters¶
Immediately after connection and testing, you can configure basic parameters that determine system behavior for your specific case.
Setting parameters is done in the setup bot after selecting the needed connection (the connection list is shown by clicking the Manage Connections button or sending the /start command).
Most frequently used parameters:
WELCOME
Welcome message that user receives on first contact and when their request was closed (switched to /close status). Can be completely disabled on paid version. Free version requires Hotline link in welcome message.
Default value: standard welcome message in English.
AUTOCLOSE
Dialog auto-close period after last operator response, specified in hours.
If topic with user was closed, they'll receive welcome message from WELCOME parameter on next contact. Free version has maximum auto-close period of 48 hours.
Default value: 48 hours.
AUTO_INFO
Whether to automatically show available user information when topic is created.
Default value: don't show.
EXTENSIONS_ALLOWED
List of USER_ID users allowed to use important Hotline module functions (broadcast configuration and launch, tag configuration, client base export, etc.).
Default value: available only to connection administrator.
Adding Operators to Working Group¶
If you work as a team, then it's logical to invite other team members to the backend group and assign roles to them.
For quick operator training on Hotline basics, it's enough to send them a link to the section with system capabilities overview
Any participant in the backend group has read access to all messages in it, but may have limited rights to manage topics, edit and send new messages.
More about rights separation and roles between operators
Paid Options¶
If you need to subscribe to a paid plan, remove Hotline copyright from the welcome, activate paid system options, expand available limits, or order personal help setting up the system for your case – contact our support service.