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NODE/03 · Term

Inline mode

Telegram bot mode that lets users invoke the bot in any chat through an @username query. The bot returns results — articles, images, GIFs — and the user inserts the chosen answer into the conversation.

Aliases: inline bots, telegram inline mode

Inline mode is a special Telegram bot mode where the user does not need to open the bot directly. In any chat, typing @username query (for example, @gif funny cats) prompts the bot to return live results, and the user picks one that drops straight into the conversation.

Why it exists

Inline mode lets bots be a useful utility in any conversation, not just a one-on-one chat with the bot:

  • Sticker and GIF search. @gif, @stickers — Telegram built-ins.
  • Search engines. @bing, @youtube — search without leaving the chat.
  • Game bots. @gamebot starts a game whose moves are visible to everyone.
  • Utilities. @vote_bot, @poll_bot create polls inline.

For users this feels smoother than switching to a private chat with a bot.

TON-specific use

In the TON ecosystem inline bots are used sparingly but interestingly:

  • Share TON wallet info. A bot that returns a user’s current balance or a payment address inline.
  • Mint NFTs on request. In chat, @nftbot mint returns an NFT card for a shared mint flow.
  • DEX integrations. Some projects use an inline command to return a current price or a swap deeplink.

Most TON apps still build on mini apps (WebView-based UIs) rather than inline mode, because mini apps offer a full UI while inline is restricted to text-and-card replies.

How it works

Implemented through inline_query in Bot API:

  1. The user types @yourbot something in any chat.
  2. Telegram sends an inline_query with the query text to the bot.
  3. The bot returns an array of InlineQueryResult (article, photo, gif, etc.).
  4. The user sees the results as a popup and picks one.
  5. The chosen result is posted in the chat.

Unlike regular commands, an inline bot does not “speak” in the chat — the resulting message is posted as the user, with a via @yourbot attribution at the bottom.

Limits

  • 5-second deadline. If the bot does not respond, Telegram drops the query.
  • Privacy mode. In groups, inline works only if explicitly enabled in the bot settings.
  • Anti-spam. Excessive queries or poor results lead to user reports and bans.

When to use it

Inline is great for short lookups and small utilities. For financial flows and richer interfaces, mini apps are the right tool.

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