Telegram Auto Topic

Add `/topic` to the start of any message in a Telegram forum group to auto-create a new topic from it. A title is generated automatically from the message content. Github: https://github.com/itstauq/telegram-auto-topic

Security Scan

The skill's requirements, instructions, and included script are consistent with its stated purpose (creating Telegram forum topics) and only need access to your OpenClaw Telegram bot token stored in the declared config path.

Purpose & Capability

Name/description match the delivered assets: SKILL.md describes creating forum topics and the included shell script implements calls to the Telegram Bot API to create a topic, post/forward the original message, and return topic info. Required tools (curl, jq) and the OpenClaw config path are expected for this functionality.

Instruction Scope

SKILL.md stays on-scope: it instructs generating a title, calling the provided script with message context, replying with the returned link, and posting into the new thread. The instructions reference only the OpenClaw group configuration and the Telegram forum/topic API; they do not ask the agent to read or transmit unrelated files or secrets.

Install Mechanism

No install spec is provided (instruction-only + included script). No downloads or external installers are used. The only runtime requirements are standard CLI tools (curl, jq) already declared.

Credentials

The script reads the bot token from the declared OpenClaw config file (OPENCLAW_CONFIG or default ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json). That is proportionate to the task, but note: the primary credential field in the registry is empty — the actual secret (telegram bot token) lives inside the config file the skill requires. Users should be aware that providing access to that config gives the skill the bot token.

Persistence & Privilege

Skill does not request always:true, does not persist itself or modify other skills, and has no special system-wide privileges. It runs only when invoked according to platform defaults.

Assessment

This skill appears to do what it claims: it calls the Telegram Bot API to create a forum topic and quote/forward the original message. Before installing, confirm that your OpenClaw config (OPENCLAW_CONFIG or ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json) contains the correct botToken and that you trust that file — the script reads the bot token from that config and will use it to act as your bot. Ensure the bot has Manage Topics admin rights in the target group. If you want extra caution, inspect the included scripts (they are plain bash) and test in a non-production group or with a throwaway bot first.

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

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:

"channels.telegram.groups.<CHAT_ID>": {
  "requireMention": false
}

Telegram autocomplete — to get /topic in Telegram's command menu, add under channels.telegram:

{
  "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.