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Telegram MCP Server

by kdoronin

This server allows AI agents and other MCP clients to interact with the Telegram API through the Model Context Protocol (MCP). It provides a bridge between Telegram and AI applications.

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Telegram MCP Server

English version | Русская версия

Server for working with Telegram API through Model Context Protocol (MCP). Allows AI agents and other MCP clients to interact with Telegram.

Requirements

  • Node.js 14+ (or higher)
  • npm
  • API ID and API Hash from Telegram

Installation

  1. Clone the repository:

    git clone https://github.com/kdoronin/telegram_mcp
    cd telegram-mcp
    
  2. Install dependencies:

    npm install
    

    (This will install the necessary packages: gramjs, @modelcontextprotocol/sdk, zod, etc.)

  3. Create and configure the .env file:

    # Copy the example .env file
    cp .env.example .env
    

    Edit the .env file and specify your API_ID and API_HASH.

  4. Get API ID and API Hash:

    • Go to my.telegram.org
    • Log in to your account
    • Navigate to "API development tools"
    • Create a new application
    • Copy api_id and api_hash to your .env file

Running

Important note about running

The main server file mcp-server.js is located in the project root, which allows running it without path issues.

Option 1: Via npm (recommended)

npm run mcp    # Run from the project root directory

Option 2: Direct node execution

# Run from the project root directory
node mcp-server.js

Option 3: As an executable file

# From the project root
./mcp-server.js

Option 4: After global installation

npm install -g .   # Install the package globally
telegram-mcp       # Run the globally installed package

Integration with MCP clients

Configuration in Cursor

  1. Open Cursor settings
  2. Go to Features -> MCP Servers
  3. Click "Add new MCP server"
  4. Configure the server:
    • Name: telegram (or any other)
    • Type: command
    • Command: node /full/path/to/project/mcp-server.js
    • Alternatively: npx telegram-mcp (after global installation)

Configuration in Claude Desktop

  1. Open Claude Desktop settings
  2. Go to Tools -> MCP
  3. Click "Add New Server"
  4. Configure the server:
    • Name: telegram (or any other)
    • Type: command
    • Command: node /full/path/to/project/mcp-server.js
    • Alternatively: npx telegram-mcp (after global installation)

Checking functionality

When the server starts:

  1. It will load settings from the .env file
  2. Check for saved sessions
  3. If there are no sessions, it will offer to create a new one (you will need to enter a phone number and confirmation code)

Available Tools

The MCP server provides the following tools:

  • getDialogs: Gets a list of user dialogs (chats).
    • Parameters: session (string, required), limit (integer, optional, default: 100).
  • getMessages: Gets messages from the specified chat.
    • Parameters: session (string, required), chatId (string, required), limit (integer, optional, default: 100).
  • sendMessage: Sends a message to the specified chat.
    • Parameters: session (string, required), chatId (string, required), message (string, required).
  • executeMethod: Executes an arbitrary Telegram API method (use with caution).
    • Parameters: session (string, required), method (string, required), params (object, optional).

Note: The session parameter is usually the user's phone number in international format (e.g., +79001234567).

Usage examples in prompts

Using the telegram.getDialogs tool for session +79001234567, show me the last 5 chats.
With telegram.sendMessage for session +79001234567, send the message "Hello from my AI assistant!" to chat with ID 'username_or_chat_id'.

Authorization

When using a session (phone number) for the first time, the server will request a confirmation code in the console where it is running. Enter the code received from Telegram to authorize the session.

If you have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled, you will also need to enter your Telegram password. If the password is entered incorrectly, the system will prompt you to enter it again (up to 3 attempts).

After successful authorization, the session will be saved to a file inside the sessions/ directory and will be used for subsequent requests.

Session file structure

Sessions are stored in the sessions/ directory as JSON files named after the phone number (e.g., +79001234567.json). Each file contains:

  • A session string (encrypted authorization token)
  • A timestamp of creation/update

Troubleshooting

  1. Error "Your API ID or Hash cannot be empty or undefined"

    • Check that the .env file is in the project root
    • Make sure API_ID and API_HASH are correctly specified in it
    • Run the server from the project root directory
  2. Server doesn't see the saved session

    • Check the execution path (should be from the project root)
    • Check for the session file in the sessions/ directory
    • Try running with npm run mcp
  3. Authorization error

    • If you entered an incorrect 2FA password, the system will prompt you to re-enter it
    • If all attempts are exhausted, delete the session file and try again

Security

  • Do not share your API ID and API Hash with third parties.
  • Run the server in a trusted environment.
  • Session files contain sensitive data. Store them in a secure location and do not share them.
  • The executeMethod tool allows executing any Telegram API methods. Use it with caution, as it can perform destructive actions.

License

MIT