Introduction
# Telegram Auto-Topic
Add `/topic` to the start of any message in a Telegram forum group → a new topic is created from it. The title is figured out from your message automatically — no need to think of one yourself.
### Example
**1.** You send a message starting with `/topic`: > /topic @your_bot I need to look into renewing my passport before March
**2.** A new forum topic **"Passport Renewal Before March"** is created with your message quoted inside it. You get a reply linking directly to the new topic.
## Prerequisites
- The group must be configured in OpenClaw (`channels.telegram.groups.<CHAT_ID>`) — this is how OpenClaw knows to process messages from it. - The group must have **forum/topics** enabled. - Your bot must be an admin in the group with **Manage Topics** permission.
## Handling /topic
When a message starts with `/topic`:
1. Generate a concise 3-7 word title summarising the message. 2. Run the script — replace placeholders with actual values from the message context: ``` scripts/telegram-auto-topic.sh <chat_id> <message_id> "<sender name>" "<title>" "<text after /topic>" ``` Pass an empty string for the text arg if there's no text (e.g. media-only). Use the path relative to this skill's directory. 3. The script returns JSON with `topic_id`, `title`, and `link`. 4. Reply to the original message with: `Topic created → [<title>](<link>)` 5. Then send a response to the actual message content in the NEW topic (use message tool with `threadId` from the returned `topic_id`). Respond naturally as you would to any message. 6. After both replies are sent, respond with NO_REPLY.
## How It Works
1. You send a message starting with `/topic` 2. A new forum topic is created — titled from your message automatically 3. Your message is quoted in the new topic with your name 4. You get a reply with a clickable link to the new topic 5. The bot responds to your message in the new topic
Works with media too — photos, videos, or documents with `/topic` in the caption get forwarded into the new topic.
## Script Reference
```bash scripts/telegram-auto-topic.sh <chat_id> <message_id> <sender> [title] [text] ```
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description | |-----------|------|----------|-------------| | `chat_id` | arg | yes | Supergroup chat ID (negative number) | | `message_id` | arg | yes | Original message to quote | | `sender` | arg | yes | Display name of original sender | | `title` | arg | no | Topic title. Falls back to first ~50 chars of text if omitted | | `text` | arg | no | Message body after `/topic`. If empty, forwards as media |
Returns JSON: `{"topic_id": 123, "title": "Used title", "link": "https://t.me/c/..."}`
## Optional configuration
**Skip the @bot mention** — by default, the bot only responds when mentioned. To use `/topic` without mentioning the bot:
```json "channels.telegram.groups.<CHAT_ID>": { "requireMention": false } ```
**Telegram autocomplete** — to get `/topic` in Telegram's command menu, add under `channels.telegram`:
```json { "customCommands": [ { "command": "topic", "description": "Create a new forum topic from a message" } ] } ```
## Limitations
- **Attribution:** Quoted messages appear as sent by the bot (Telegram API limitation). Sender name is included as attribution text below the quote. - **Media:** Forwarded media shows a "Forwarded from" header — best available but not native. - **Forum groups only:** Won't work in regular groups or DMs. - **Permissions:** Bot needs admin with Manage Topics. - **Title length:** Telegram caps topic names at 128 characters.