Connection Procedure¶
Connecting bots or accounts to the system is done through our setup bot @hotlinetg_bot. The user who performs the connection is subsequently considered the administrator (can manage connections, configure their parameters, assign roles to operators, etc.).
Multilingual Setup Bot
The setup bot works in multiple languages, send it the /language command if you need to change the interface language.
Currently supported: English, Russian, Spanish, German.
Creating a Session and Linking with Backend Group¶
Connection is made with the New Connection button in three simple steps in just 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 a Session¶
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For bots: send its token from Telegram bot @BotFather.
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For accounts: scan the QR code or send your phone number with Telegram PIN code.
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3. Linking with Backend Group¶
Create a new topic group right during the connection process or select an existing one (you must be the group owner, or you must have rights to add other administrators to it).
Immediately after the third step, your connection can be tested, settings configured, and operators invited to the group.
Hotline allows one administrator to create multiple connections.
Testing the Connection¶
To test a connection, simply send any test message to the connected bot or account. In response, the system should send its standard welcome message in English.
In the linked backend group, a new topic should be created, whose name will be the name of the account from which you sent the test message.
Setting Parameters¶
Immediately after connection and testing, you can configure basic parameters that determine the system's behavior for your specific case.
Parameter configuration is done in the setup bot after selecting the desired connection (the connection list is displayed by pressing 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.
SILENT_MODE
Whether to show clients possible errors when processing their messages.
Default value: show errors.
View the full list of parameters
Adding Operators to the Working Group¶
If you're working as a team, the next logical step is to invite other team members to the backend group and assign them roles.
To quickly train operators in Hotline basics, it's sufficient to send them a link to the section with an overview of the system's capabilities
Any backend group participant has read access to all messages in it, but may have limited rights to manage topics, edit and send new messages.
More about the separation of rights and roles between operators
Paid Options¶
If you need to connect a paid subscription to remove the Hotline copyright from the welcome message, activate paid system options, expand available limits, or order personalized assistance with setting up the system for your case – contact our support service.