​Telegram’s native Bot API offers unparalleled flexibility for developers who want to build custom bots without relying on third-party libraries. This guide explores how to harness the raw power of Telegram’s API to create efficient, scalable bots, complete with step-by-step instructions and real-world use cases.

​​Why Choose Native Telegram Bot API?​​

Unlike pre-built libraries, the native Telegram Bot API provides direct control over bot functionality, ensuring compatibility with Telegram’s latest features and avoiding dependency on external updates. Key advantages include:

1. ​​Full Customization​​: Tailor every aspect of your bot’s behavior without library-imposed limitations.
2. ​​Lightweight Solutions​​: Reduce overhead by eliminating unnecessary code from third-party frameworks.
3. ​​Immediate Feature Access​​: Integrate new Telegram API methods as soon as they launch.

​​Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Bot​​

1. ​​Register via BotFather​​:
   • Initiate a chat with Telegram’s official @BotFather.
   • Use /newbot to generate a bot name and username (ending with “bot”).
   • Secure your API token, which authenticates requests to Telegram’s servers.
2. ​​Set Up Security​​:
   • Store your token securely to prevent unauthorized access.
   • Use /revoke in BotFather to regenerate compromised tokens.

​​Interacting via HTTP Requests​​

Telegram Bot API operates on a request-response model. Here’s how to execute core actions:

​​1. Retrieve Bot Data with getMe​​:

• Send a GET request to https://api.telegram.org/bot{TOKEN}/getMe to verify your bot’s credentials.
• The response includes bot details like ID, name, and permissions.

​​2. Read Messages via getUpdates​​:

• Poll https://api.telegram.org/bot{TOKEN}/getUpdates to fetch user messages.
• Parse JSON responses to extract message IDs, sender info, and text.

​​3. Send Messages with sendMessage​​:

• Use POST requests to https://api.telegram.org/bot{TOKEN}/sendMessage with parameters like chat_id and text.
• Example Python code:
  python

  import requests  
  response = requests.post(f"https://api.telegram.org/bot{TOKEN}/sendMessage", data={"chat_id": "123", "text": "Hello!"})  

​​4. Send Stickers/Media via sendSticker​​:

• Upload stickers or files using their file_id (retrieved via getUpdates).

​​Bot Limitations and Best Practices​​

• ​​Rate Limits​​: Avoid sending >30 messages per second or >20 messages per minute in a single chat.
• ​​No Unsolicited Messaging​​: Users must initiate contact via the “Start” button.
• ​​File Size Cap​​: Files cannot exceed 50MB.

​​When to Use Libraries vs. Native API​​

While native development offers control, libraries like Aiogram (Python) or Telegraf.js (JavaScript) simplify tasks like:

• ​​Asynchronous Processing​​: Handle high traffic efficiently.
• ​​Pre-Built Commands​​: Accelerate development of common features (e.g., inline keyboards).

Mastering Telegram’s native Bot API empowers developers to build bespoke bots with precision. By bypassing third-party tools, you gain full control over functionality while adhering to Telegram’s evolving standards.