mcp-telegram

Telegram MCP server for Claude, Codex, Cursor, Claude Code, VS Code, Cline, Windsurf, and other MCP clients. Real Telegram user account via MTProto, browser-based local sign-in, 100+ tools.

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that connects Claude Desktop, Codex CLI, Cursor, Claude Code, VS Code, Cline, Windsurf, Goose, and any other MCP-compatible client to a real Telegram user account via MTProto—so your agent can read, search, send, moderate, and manage Telegram chats from chat or automated tool calls instead of clicking through the Telegram UI.

Use it to: read dialogs and search messages globally · send/edit/forward/react/poll · download media and transcribe voice notes · moderate channels (ban/restrict/promote, invite links, slow-mode, admin log, forum topics) · manage stories, contacts, drafts, notifications, folders, privacy · or fall through to the raw MTProto bridge for anything else. All against a single signed-in user account—no bot required.

[!WARNING]
This server signs in as a real Telegram user (not a bot). Sessions live in ~/.mcp-telegram/. Treat that directory like a password.

Prerequisites

1. Node.js >=20
2. Telegram API credentials from my.telegram.org/apps — api_id and api_hash

Install

Option A — automatic, all clients:

npx add-mcp mcp-telegram \
  --env TELEGRAM_API_ID=123456 \
  --env TELEGRAM_API_HASH=abc...

add-mcp (from Neon) writes the correct config for Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Codex, Gemini CLI, Cline, Zed, Goose, OpenCode, and others. Pick the client in the interactive prompt.

[!IMPORTANT]
Both env vars are required. Get them from my.telegram.org/apps.

Option B — manual config:

Claude Desktop (claude_desktop_config.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "telegram": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mcp-telegram"],
      "env": {
        "TELEGRAM_API_ID": "123456",
        "TELEGRAM_API_HASH": "abc..."
      }
    }
  }
}

Cursor (~/.cursor/mcp.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "telegram": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mcp-telegram"],
      "env": {
        "TELEGRAM_API_ID": "123456",
        "TELEGRAM_API_HASH": "abc..."
      }
    }
  }
}

VS Code (.vscode/mcp.json)

{
  "servers": {
    "telegram": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mcp-telegram"],
      "env": {
        "TELEGRAM_API_ID": "123456",
        "TELEGRAM_API_HASH": "abc..."
      }
    }
  }
}

Claude Code

claude mcp add telegram \
  -e TELEGRAM_API_ID=123456 \
  -e TELEGRAM_API_HASH=abc... \
  -- npx -y mcp-telegram

Codex CLI (~/.codex/config.toml) — install

[mcp_servers.telegram]
command = "npx"
args = ["-y", "mcp-telegram"]
env = { TELEGRAM_API_ID = "123456", TELEGRAM_API_HASH = "abc..." }

First-time sign in

Ask your agent:

Sign in to my Telegram.

The agent calls the login tool. A browser tab opens. Enter your phone number, the SMS code, and 2FA password if you have one. The tab shows a green checkmark — you can close it. The session is now stored locally and the agent can read your Telegram.

To add another account, ask the agent to call login again.

Tools

102 tools covering the full Telegram user-account surface. Common ones below; the rest are grouped under collapsibles. Every tool accepts an optional accountId (omit when only one account is signed in). peer accepts a numeric chat id, an @username, or the literal "me" (Saved Messages).

Top of the menu:

Tool	What it does
login	Open the browser-based sign-in flow. Adds an account.
list_accounts	List signed-in accounts.
list_dialogs	List dialogs/chats/channels. Filters: unread, archived, ignorePinned, folder, limit.
list_messages	List messages in a dialog. Newest first.
search_messages	Search inside one dialog: query, filter (photos/videos/url/voice/...), fromUser, date range.
search_global	Search across every chat you have.
search_dialogs	Find dialogs by name/title/username substring.
send_message	Send text. Supports replyTo, topMsgId, parseMode, schedule, silent.
send_file	Send a file (local path or https:// URL). Pass an array for an album.
download_media	Save the media on a message to disk.
transcribe_message	Transcribe a voice/video note (Premium).
invoke_mtproto	Call any raw MTProto method by name. Auto-resolves peer/channel/user strings.

Sessions (local) (4)

These are local-only: they manage which Telegram sessions live in ~/.mcp-telegram/ and the settings UI. No Telegram API call beyond the sign-in flow itself.

Tool	What it does
list_accounts	List signed-in accounts.
login	Browser-based sign-in. Adds an account.
logout	Drop a local session and revoke it on Telegram.
open_settings	Open the local settings page (tool surface + read-only).

Profile (5)

Tool	What it does
get_me	Return the profile of the authenticated user.
update_profile	Change own first/last name and bio.
update_my_username	Set or clear own @username.
set_birthday	Set the account birthday.
set_profile_photo	Upload a new avatar (local path or URL).

Dialog discovery (5)

Tool	What it does
list_dialogs	List dialogs. Filters: unread, archived, ignorePinned, folder, limit.
search_dialogs	Find dialogs by name/title/username substring.
resolve_username	Resolve @username to a user/channel/chat entity.
list_folders	List custom dialog folders (chat filters).
list_contacts	List contacts.

Messages — read & search (6)

Tool	What it does
list_messages	List messages in a dialog.
search_messages	Search inside one dialog (text, type filter, sender, date range).
search_global	Search across every chat.
get_message	Fetch one or more messages by id.
get_message_reactions	Get reactions on messages.
mark_as_read	Mark messages read up to an id.

Messages — write (8)

Tool	What it does
send_message	Send text.
edit_message	Edit a previously sent message.
delete_messages	Delete by id (optionally revoke for all).
forward_messages	Forward messages between dialogs.
pin_message / unpin_message	Pin / unpin in a dialog.
send_reaction	Set reactions on a message.
send_message_to_phone	Send to a phone number, auto-creates a temporary contact.

Media (4)

Tool	What it does
send_file	Send a file (path or URL). Albums via array.
download_media	Save a message's media to disk.
download_profile_photo	Save a peer's avatar to disk.
transcribe_message	Transcribe voice/video (Premium).

Polls (4)

Tool	What it does
send_poll	Send a poll. Supports quiz, multiple-choice, anonymous, close period.
vote_poll	Cast a vote.
close_poll	Finalize a poll.
get_poll_results	Fetch tally.

Reactions (3)

Tool	What it does
send_reaction	Set emoji reactions on a message.
get_message_reactions	Read reactions.
set_default_reaction	Set account-wide default.

Stories (6)

Tool	What it does
list_stories	Feed of contacts' stories.
get_peer_stories	One peer's stories.
send_story	Post a story (photo or video).
delete_story	Delete own stories.
view_story	Mark stories viewed.
get_story_viewers	List who viewed your story.

Channel / group moderation (11)

Tool	What it does
ban_user	Full ban (optional untilDate).
unban_user	Lift restrictions.
restrict_user	Apply a custom rights mask.
promote_admin	Grant admin rights (with rank).
demote_admin	Strip admin rights.
invite_user	Add users to a channel/supergroup.
kick_participant	Kick from chat/channel.
get_participant	Single participant info.
list_participants	Members with filter (admins/banned/bots/...) and substring search.
delete_user_history	Remove every message by a user.
get_admin_log	Recent admin events with event-type filter.

Channel / group settings (12)

Tool	What it does
edit_title	Change title (works for channels, supergroups, and basic groups).
edit_about	Change description.
edit_photo	Change avatar (path or URL).
update_username	Set/clear public @username.
check_username	Check availability.
set_slow_mode	Set slow-mode seconds.
toggle_signatures	Author signatures on channel posts.
toggle_pre_history_hidden	Hide history from new members.
toggle_join_request	Require admin approval to join.
leave_channel	Leave a channel/supergroup.
get_channel_info	Extended info (about, counts, linked chat, slow-mode).
get_user_info	Extended user info (bio, common chats).

Channel / group lifecycle (4)

Tool	What it does
create_channel	New broadcast channel or supergroup (optional forum mode).
delete_channel	Permanently delete.
migrate_chat	Basic group → supergroup.
transfer_ownership	Hand over creator rights (requires 2FA password).

Invite links (4)

Tool	What it does
create_invite_link	New link with optional expiry, usage cap, join-request gate.
list_invite_links	List active or revoked links.
revoke_invite_link	Revoke a specific link.
list_invite_joiners	List users that joined via a link.

Forum topics (3)

Tool	What it does
list_topics	List forum topics.
create_topic	Create a new topic.
edit_topic	Rename, re-icon, close, hide.

Drafts (3)

Tool	What it does
save_draft	Save a draft for a dialog.
clear_draft	Drop the draft for a dialog.
list_drafts	List all dialog drafts.

Notifications (4)

Tool	What it does
mute_peer	Mute a chat (optional untilDate).
unmute_peer	Unmute.
get_notify_settings	Read settings.
set_notify_settings	Update mute, previews, sound, story-mute.

Folders (chat filters) (4)

Tool	What it does
create_folder	New folder with include/exclude rules.
edit_folder	Replace folder rules.
delete_folder	Remove a folder.
reorder_folders	Set display order.

Contacts (4)

Tool	What it does
list_contacts	All contacts.
add_contact	Add a user to contacts.
delete_contact	Remove users from contacts.
search_contacts	Search contacts + global directory.

Privacy & blocking (5)

Tool	What it does
block_user / unblock_user	Block / unblock.
list_blocked	Block list.
get_privacy	Read a privacy key.
set_privacy	Update a privacy key (mode + allow/disallow lists).

Stickers (3)

Tool	What it does
get_my_stickers	Installed sticker sets.
install_sticker_set	Install by short name.
add_recent_sticker	Pin a sticker to recent.

Premium boosts (2)

Tool	What it does
get_my_boosts	List your boost slots.
apply_boost	Apply slots to a channel.

Bots & raw MTProto (2)

Tool	What it does
get_inline_bot_results	Run an inline bot query.
invoke_mtproto	Call any MTProto method by qualified name (e.g. messages.SendMessage, stories.GetAllStories). String values for peer/channel/user/fromPeer/toPeer/bot/chat are auto-resolved to InputPeer / InputUser.

Gating which tools are exposed

Three env vars, applied in order:

Variable	Effect
MCP_TELEGRAM_READONLY=1	Hide every destructive / mutating tool.
MCP_TELEGRAM_TOOLS=name1,name2,prefix*	Strict allowlist — only these tools register.
MCP_TELEGRAM_DISABLE=name1,prefix*	Blocklist applied after the allowlist.

Examples:

MCP_TELEGRAM_READONLY=1                                    # read-only agent
MCP_TELEGRAM_TOOLS='login,list*,search*,get*'              # discovery-only
MCP_TELEGRAM_DISABLE='delete*,ban*,kick*,create_channel,delete_channel,transfer_ownership,invokeMtproto'  # safer write set

Environment

Variable	Required	Default	Notes
TELEGRAM_API_ID	yes	—	From my.telegram.org/apps. If unset, the auth page prompts for it and saves to state.json.
TELEGRAM_API_HASH	yes	—	Same as above.
MCP_TELEGRAM_HOME	no	~/.mcp-telegram	State + per-account session storage.
MCP_TELEGRAM_DOWNLOADS	no	$MCP_TELEGRAM_HOME/downloads	Where download_media / download_profile_photo save files.
MCP_TELEGRAM_READONLY	no	—	Set to 1/true/yes to hide every destructive tool.
MCP_TELEGRAM_TOOLS	no	—	Strict allowlist. Comma-separated tool names; supports prefix* wildcards. If set, anything not matched is hidden.
MCP_TELEGRAM_DISABLE	no	—	Blocklist applied after the allowlist. Same syntax.
LOG_LEVEL	no	info	debug for verbose stderr.

Choosing which tools the agent sees

The three gating vars stack — MCP_TELEGRAM_READONLY → MCP_TELEGRAM_TOOLS → MCP_TELEGRAM_DISABLE.

# Read-only agent — every mutating tool is hidden
MCP_TELEGRAM_READONLY=1

# Discovery-only — only login + the list/search/get tools
MCP_TELEGRAM_TOOLS='login,list*,search*,get*,resolveUsername'

# Allow writes but keep destructive ones away from the agent
MCP_TELEGRAM_DISABLE='delete*,ban*,kick*,create_channel,delete_channel,transfer_ownership,invokeMtproto'

# Specific surface: read + send/edit only
MCP_TELEGRAM_TOOLS='login,list_accounts,list_dialogs,list_messages,search_messages,search_global,send_message,editMessage'

In an MCP client config, drop these into the same env block as TELEGRAM_API_ID/TELEGRAM_API_HASH. To verify, re-open your client — the tools the server advertises are exactly the ones registered after the gates run.

Data layout

~/.mcp-telegram/
├── state.json          known accounts (no secrets in here)
└── sessions/
    └── <account_id>/   per-account MTProto session

If a Telegram session is invalidated server-side (logged out from another device, password rotated, etc.), the next tool call returns an error telling the agent to call login to re-authorize.

Development

git clone https://github.com/beautyfree/mcp-telegram
cd mcp-telegram
npm install
echo "TELEGRAM_API_ID=...\nTELEGRAM_API_HASH=..." > .env
npm run dev

Layout:

src/
├── index.ts           bin entry — stdio MCP server, tool registrations
├── telegram.ts        MTProto client + login state machine
├── auth-browser.ts    ephemeral HTTP server that drives the browser flow
├── auth-page.ts       inline HTML for the auth page
├── state.ts           persistent state in ~/.mcp-telegram/
└── logger.ts

License

MIT — see LICENSE.

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Also known as

Telegram MCP · MCP Telegram · Telegram MCP server · Telegram for Claude · Telegram for Cursor · Telegram for Claude Code · Telegram for VS Code · Telegram for Codex · Telegram for Cline · Telegram for Windsurf · Telegram for AI agents · Telegram MTProto MCP · Telegram user-account MCP · Telegram automation MCP · Model Context Protocol Telegram · MCP server Telegram · gramjs MCP