Better-TG-CLI (Telegram)

Name: Better-TG-CLI (Telegram)
Author: TheVilfer

by TheVilferversion 0.39.6i★ –iRuns on your computer

Registry nameio.github.TheVilfer/better-tg-cli

Install

Overview

Description from the maker (original English)

Telegram on your own account: read, search, send and press bot buttons. Writes need your approval.

PopNx MCP’s three pillars

These three are never merged into one score: opinions, measurements and popularity are different things.

User voiceiNo reviews yetReviews open together with accounts in a later step
Our basic checksi1 of 1 passedChecked from public information; code not scanned yet
UsageiNot measured yet★ –

What you can do with it

We have not written a plain-language summary for this one yet. Below are the facts we read from the registry.

Connection: Runs on your computer
Transport: stdio
Category: Chat & email

Install

Pick the AI app you use, then copy the settings.

Before you install

Basic checks: 1 of 1 passed
Runs on your computer with your user’s permissions (files, network, apps).
You fill in yourself: TG_PROFILE

You need

npmNode.js installed (for the npx command)

Which app do you use?

ClaudeClaude CodeCursorVS CodeChatGPT

Pick your app above. We remember it, so next time the button says “Install in …”.

Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config, and paste this into claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "better-tg-cli": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "better-tg-cli",
        "mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "TG_PROFILE": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Run this in your terminal

claude mcp add better-tg-cli --env TG_PROFILE=your-value -- npx -y better-tg-cli mcp

Fill in the empty values before running it.

Open in Cursor

Or copy the settings yourself

Paste into .cursor/mcp.json in your project, or ~/.cursor/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "better-tg-cli": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "better-tg-cli",
        "mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "TG_PROFILE": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Your browser asks to open the app, then the app shows the settings and asks you to confirm. Key values are left empty for you to fill in.

Open in VS Code

Or copy the settings yourself

Paste into .vscode/mcp.json in your project

{
  "servers": {
    "better-tg-cli": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "better-tg-cli",
        "mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "TG_PROFILE": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Your browser asks to open the app, then the app shows the settings and asks you to confirm. Key values are left empty for you to fill in.

This one runs on your computer, and ChatGPT can only connect to servers on the internet. Pick another app.

Your choice stays on this device in a cookie; no account needed.

Values you fill in

TG_PROFILE env
Optional profile name, to keep this client on a separate Telegram session

These settings are generated from the maker’s registry entry. If the README says otherwise, follow the README.

What it can do

Runs on your computer; the tool list appears in your AI app after you install it.

Basic checksi

We check information anyone can see; we have not read the code. Checks that do not apply are left out of the count. · Checked Nov 7, 2026

✓ Pass
Maker matches the repo
The registry name was verified with the GitHub account TheVilfer, which owns the repo
… Not checked yet
Still maintained
We have not read this repo from GitHub yet
… Not checked yet
Has a licence
We have not read this repo from GitHub yet
– Not applicable
Endpoint responds
This one runs on your computer; there is no internet endpoint
– Not applicable
Sign-in with OAuth
Runs on your computer and uses local settings instead
… Not checked yet
No hidden instructions in tool descriptions
Runs on your computer; we can only read tool lists from internet endpoints

Compared with others in Chat & emaili

More stars than 0% of the other 1777 servers in this category
Published to the registry more recently than 95% of the other 1777 servers in this category
Basic checks equal to or better than 100% of the other 1777 servers in this category

Compared with every active server in this category in the registry. Stars count only when the publisher owns the repo.

Common questions

Is Better-TG-CLI (Telegram) safe?

It passed 1 of 1 applicable basic checks. We have not read the code. Before adding a key or token, see what access the server asks for and use a key with only the permissions you need.

What keys or codes does it need?

The registry does not list a required key, though some servers ask you to sign in on first use.

Does it run on my computer or in the cloud?

It runs on your computer. Your AI app starts it when needed, and data does not pass through the maker’s servers (unless it calls an online service itself).

Is it still maintained?

The GitHub repo last changed –, and the latest version (0.39.6) reached the registry today.

Which apps can use it?

Apps that support MCP, such as Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor and VS Code. You also need Node.js on your computer.

What can I use instead?

In the same category: Vexa, emailmd, MCP WhatsApp Cloud

Alternatives

Servers in the same category from other makers, sorted by stars.

Reading a card:★ GitHub starsiThree pillars: reviews · checks · usageiUpdated = latest version published to the registryi

Vexa

by Vexa-ai

Meeting bot and transcripts for Google Meet, Teams and Zoom. Live or after, speakers labelled.

Runs in the cloud★ 2,949Apache-2.0Updated 2 months ago

Install

emailmd

by anypost

Render markdown into email-safe HTML, lint drafts for deliverability problems, and preview emails.

Computer or cloud★ 1,385MITUpdated 31 days ago

Install

MCP WhatsApp Cloud

by codespar

MCP server for WhatsApp Cloud API (Meta) — messages, media, and templates via Graph API

Runs on your computer★ 277MITUpdated 5 months ago

Install

README from the maker

Open the README

Copied from the maker’s repo as written. PopNx MCP has not reviewed or endorsed it. HTML, images and scripts are removed. Links lead off this site.

Install · Reference · Security · Issues · Русский · Español

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/d143f7c7-7d50-439c-b373-cbcbff5a6675

Better-TG-CLI is a Telegram CLI and MCP server for AI agents (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Claude Desktop, Gemini CLI) that works on your own Telegram account: agents read, search and send messages and press bot buttons, and you approve every send.

It is an unofficial, open-source client (MTProto via teleproto, TL layer 229). The command is telegram: about 60 commands for reading, searching, writing, bots, groups and exports, built so that agents can drive it cheaply and safely. It also ships as an MCP server (telegram mcp) and an agent skill.

$ telegram inbox -n 3

48 unread in 7 chats (showing 3) 1234567890 user unread=2 Alice @alice | see you at 7? -1001234567 supergroup muted unread=41 Rust Seattle @rust_sea | anyone tried 1.90? -1009876543 channel unread=5 Changelog | v2.4 is out $ telegram read @alice -n 1 --json {"chatTitle":"Alice","messages":[{"id":812,"date":"2026-09-27T10:02:11.000Z","sender":"Alice","senderId":"1234567890","text":"see you at 7?"}]}

[!WARNING]

Your account, your risk. This is an unofficial client that logs in as you. Telegram may

limit or freeze accounts that behave like bots. The risk is highest for new accounts, bulk

messaging, mass joins or invites, and anything that looks like spam. Use it the way you would

use Telegram yourself, keep writes off unless you need them, and read SECURITY.md

before letting an agent write. The authors are not responsible for restricted accounts.

Contents: Why Better-TG-CLI · Install · Log in · Usage · MCP server · FAQ · Development · Privacy · License

Why Better-TG-CLI

Made for agents:

Current Telegram layer. Bot replies with rich (layer 228+) content show real text instead of (no text). You can press bot buttons (click) and walk bot menus.
Token-efficient output. Off a TTY you get one compact line per item with the ID first, and JSON on one line with empty fields dropped. --max-text trims long posts. telegram help-all -g prints every flag, generated from the code.
Exact reads. Real pagination for --since/--until, --unread, threads and channel comments, forum topics, get by ID, search filters by type, sender or date, and me / Избранное for Saved Messages.
You approve every message. After login the agent asks you in the chat before each send, edit or delete, and shows the exact text; it sends only after your yes. Writing without asking (write-access on) needs your own confirmation in a terminal or a macOS dialog. Every write is logged to ~/.config/tg/audit.jsonl. Secrets live in the macOS Keychain, the Linux Secret Service or 1Password.
Small and self-contained. The npm package is one 0.3 MB file with zero runtime dependencies. Homebrew installs a standalone binary with no Node.

It started as a fork of skillhq/telegram and has since been reworked throughout.

Compared with other Telegram MCP servers

	Better-TG-CLI	chigwell/telegram-mcp	chaindead/telegram-mcp	WireCatLabs/tg-cli
What you get	CLI, MCP server, agent skill	MCP server	MCP server	CLI, MCP server, agent skill
Language	TypeScript (Node 20+ or a standalone binary)	Python	Go	TypeScript
Telegram library	teleproto (GramJS fork, layer 229)	Telethon	gotd/td	mtcute
Runtime dependencies	none (one file)	Python packages	one Go binary	npm packages
Install	Homebrew, Scoop, npm, binaries	pip, uvx, Docker	Homebrew, npx, go install	npm, bun

Taken from each project's README and manifest in November 2026; open an issue if something here is out of date. What sets Better-TG-CLI apart is the write model (read-only, ask, on, with approvals bound to the exact text) and output made for agents.

Install

brew install thevilfer/tap/better-tg-cli   # standalone binary, macOS and Linux

npm install -g better-tg-cli # Node >= 20, any OS

On Windows (experimental), with Scoop or npm:

scoop bucket add thevilfer https://github.com/TheVilfer/scoop-bucket

scoop install better-tg-cli

The Windows telegram.exe is not code-signed, so SmartScreen may warn about the release download.

telegram update upgrades an existing install, whichever of these you used. On a terminal the CLI checks for new versions once a day. Agents and pipes never see that notice, and TG_NO_UPDATE_CHECK=1 turns it off.

Downloading a binary from Releases by hand on macOS? It is not notarized, so remove the quarantine flag once: xattr -d com.apple.quarantine ./telegram. Homebrew handles this for you.

Do not install @skillhq/telegram. It is the old upstream build on GramJS (layer 198).

Every channel ships the same version from one release:

Where	What you get	Install
Homebrew	standalone binary	`brew install thevilfer/tap/better-tg-cli`
npm	CLI and MCP server (Node 20+)	`npm install -g better-tg-cli`
Scoop (Windows, experimental)	standalone `telegram.exe`	`scoop bucket add thevilfer https://github.com/TheVilfer/scoop-bucket` then `scoop install better-tg-cli`
GitHub Releases	binaries and SHA256SUMS	download by hand
Claude Code plugin	skill (uses the installed CLI)	see below
Claude Desktop extension	MCP server, runs on Claude's built-in Node	download `.mcpb` and open it
Grok Build plugin	skill and MCP server	see below
Gemini CLI extension	skill and MCP server	`gemini extensions install https://github.com/TheVilfer/better-tg-cli`
Cursor, VS Code	MCP server	one-click buttons
Grok Bot	MCP server over HTTP from your Mac	see below
The CLI itself	agent skill for Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Gemini CLI and 7 more	`telegram skill install`
skills.sh	agent skill for any shell agent	`npx skills add TheVilfer/better-tg-cli`
MCP Registry	MCP server entry `io.github.TheVilfer/better-tg-cli`	through your MCP client

Claude Code plugin

The skill as a plugin, kept up to date by Claude Code:

/plugin marketplace add TheVilfer/better-tg-cli

/plugin install better-tg-cli@better-tg-cli

The plugin is the skill alone, so install the CLI first (above) and log in once with telegram onboard in a terminal. Claude Code then runs telegram itself. Anthropic's plugin directory accepts MCP servers that run on your computer only from Verified organizations, so the MCP server is added on its own if you want it: claude mcp add telegram -- telegram mcp.

Codex plugin

The skill and the MCP server as a Codex plugin (also shows up in the ChatGPT desktop app):

codex plugin marketplace add TheVilfer/better-tg-cli

codex plugin add better-tg-cli@better-tg-cli

Grok Build plugin

Grok Build installs the plugin with the skill and the MCP server together:

grok plugin install TheVilfer/better-tg-cli --trust

or add the marketplace first, then install from the /plugins menu:

grok plugin marketplace add TheVilfer/better-tg-cli && grok plugin install better-tg-cli --trust

As an agent skill

The skill (skills/better-tg-cli) teaches any agent with a shell (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Gemini CLI, OpenCode and others) to use the CLI safely. It checks the setup, never logs in on its own, keeps writes behind your approval, and avoids ban-prone patterns. The CLI carries the skill and installs it itself, so it always matches your version:

telegram skill install                  # every supported agent found on this machine

telegram skill install -a claude-code codex telegram skill status # installed, outdated, linked or missing, per agent

It knows Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot, Grok Build, OpenCode, Goose, Droid, Windsurf and Pi (telegram skill status lists the folders). Run it again after telegram update to refresh the skill. A skill folder that is a symlink is left alone unless you pass --force. For other agents, use the skills CLI:

npx skills add TheVilfer/better-tg-cli          # pick agents interactively

npx skills add TheVilfer/better-tg-cli -g -a claude-code -a codex -y

Log in

Through your agent (easiest): ask it to set up Telegram, or run telegram onboard yourself. It opens a page on 127.0.0.1 where you get a login key from better-tg-cli.com (it comes back to the page by itself) or enter your own keys, scan a QR code and type your 2FA password. The agent only starts the command and waits: it never sees the login key, the QR code or the password. The page answers only on a random secret path and closes when you're done.

With your own API keys (the default):

Open https://my.telegram.org/apps, create an application, and copy its api_id and api_hash.
Run telegram auth --qr and enter them. Then, on your phone, go to Settings → Devices → Link Desktop Device and scan the QR code. Enter your 2FA password if you have one. Plain telegram auth asks for y

Only the beginning is shown; read the rest in the repo

Better-TG-CLI (Telegram)

Overview

PopNx MCP’s three pillars

What you can do with it

Install

Before you install

Values you fill in

What it can do

Basic checksi

Maker matches the repo

Still maintained

Has a licence

Endpoint responds

Sign-in with OAuth

No hidden instructions in tool descriptions

Compared with others in Chat & emaili

Common questions

Alternatives

Vexa

emailmd

MCP WhatsApp Cloud

README from the maker

Why Better-TG-CLI

Compared with other Telegram MCP servers

Install

Claude Code plugin

Codex plugin

Grok Build plugin

or add the marketplace first, then install from the /plugins menu:

As an agent skill

Log in