> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.opus-host.de/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Host a Telegram Bot 24/7 on Your Free VPS

> Deploy a Telegram bot on your Opus Host VPS with Python or Node.js and keep it running around the clock using systemd or PM2.

Telegram bots need a machine that is always online. Your Opus Host VPS is exactly that. This guide covers deploying a bot in Python or Node.js and keeping it alive after crashes and reboots.

## 1. Create a bot and get a token

1. Open Telegram and message [@BotFather](https://t.me/BotFather).
2. Send `/newbot` and follow the prompts.
3. Save the token BotFather gives you. You will need it below.

## 2. Install your language

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Python">
    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo apt update
    sudo apt install -y python3 python3-pip python3-venv git
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Node.js">
    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_20.x | sudo bash -
    sudo apt install -y nodejs git
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## 3. Get your bot code onto the VPS

Clone from Git or upload via the [File Manager](/panel/file-manager):

```bash theme={null}
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/mybot.git ~/mybot
cd ~/mybot
```

## 4. A minimal example bot

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Python">
    ```bash theme={null}
    python3 -m venv venv
    source venv/bin/activate
    pip install python-telegram-bot
    ```

    Create `bot.py`:

    ```python theme={null}
    import os
    from telegram.ext import ApplicationBuilder, CommandHandler

    async def start(update, context):
        await update.message.reply_text("Hello from Opus Host!")

    app = ApplicationBuilder().token(os.environ["BOT_TOKEN"]).build()
    app.add_handler(CommandHandler("start", start))
    app.run_polling()
    ```

    Test it:

    ```bash theme={null}
    BOT_TOKEN=your-token python3 bot.py
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Node.js">
    ```bash theme={null}
    npm init -y
    npm install node-telegram-bot-api
    ```

    Create `index.js`:

    ```javascript theme={null}
    const TelegramBot = require("node-telegram-bot-api");
    const bot = new TelegramBot(process.env.BOT_TOKEN, { polling: true });

    bot.onText(/\/start/, (msg) => {
      bot.sendMessage(msg.chat.id, "Hello from Opus Host!");
    });
    ```

    Test it:

    ```bash theme={null}
    BOT_TOKEN=your-token node index.js
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

Message your bot on Telegram and send `/start`. If it responds, you are ready to run it as a service.

## 5. Keep it running with systemd

Create `/etc/systemd/system/mybot.service`:

```ini theme={null}
[Unit]
Description=My Telegram Bot
After=network.target

[Service]
User=root
WorkingDirectory=/root/mybot
Environment=BOT_TOKEN=your-telegram-token
ExecStart=/root/mybot/venv/bin/python3 /root/mybot/bot.py
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=5

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
```

For Node.js, use `ExecStart=/usr/bin/node /root/mybot/index.js`.

Enable and start:

```bash theme={null}
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable --now mybot
sudo systemctl status mybot
```

See [systemd Services](/vps/systemd-services) for the full reference.

<Tip>
  Store the token in a `.env` file loaded by `python-dotenv` or the `dotenv` npm package instead of pasting it into the service file. Easier to rotate, easier to keep out of Git.
</Tip>

<Warning>
  Never commit your bot token to a public repository. If it leaks, revoke it immediately from BotFather with `/revoke` and generate a new one.
</Warning>