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Setting Up Telegram

Configure Telegram to receive fuel recommendations and fleet alerts

Setting Up Telegram

Telegram is Drafft's primary communication channel for delivering fuel recommendations, driver alerts, and fleet notifications in real-time. This guide walks you through setting up Telegram for your fleet.

Why Use Telegram?

Telegram provides:

  • Instant delivery: Real-time fuel recommendations as drivers travel
  • Driver-friendly: Simple interface drivers already know
  • No app install: Access via Telegram web or mobile apps
  • Group notifications: Send alerts to your entire dispatch team
  • Two-way interaction: Drivers can confirm or defer recommendations

Prerequisites

  • Active Telegram account (create one at telegram.org if needed)
  • Administrator access to your Drafft fleet account
  • Access to create or manage a Telegram group (if using group notifications)

Step 1: Find the Drafft Bot

  1. Open Telegram (web or mobile app)
  2. Search for @drafftai_bot
  3. Click to open the bot profile
  4. Click Start or Send Message

The bot will welcome you and show available commands.

Step 2: Connect Your Fleet

  1. In Drafft, go to Settings > Integrations > Telegram
  2. You'll see a unique Fleet Code displayed
  3. Go back to Telegram and type: /connect FLEET_CODE
  4. Replace FLEET_CODE with the code from Drafft
  5. Send the message

The bot will confirm your fleet is connected.

Step 3: Choose Your Notification Method

Individual Notifications (Drivers receive direct messages)

  • Fuel recommendations are sent directly to driver accounts
  • Best for fleets with 5-20 drivers
  • Drivers can confirm receipt directly with the bot

Group Notifications (Dispatch team receives updates)

  1. In Telegram, create a new group
  2. Name it something like "Drafft Fuel Alerts"
  3. Add all drivers and dispatch team members
  4. Copy the group link or chat ID
  5. In Drafft, go to Settings > Integrations > Telegram
  6. Click Connect Group
  7. Paste your group ID or join link
  8. Click Authorize

All fuel recommendations will now post to this group.

Step 4: Configure Notification Settings

In Drafft, customize what notifications Telegram sends:

  1. Go to Settings > Integrations > Telegram
  2. Check Fuel Recommendations to receive fuel stop suggestions
  3. Check Driver Alerts for safety and maintenance issues
  4. Check Fleet Summary for daily dispatch summaries
  5. Set your Quiet Hours (e.g., 10 PM - 6 AM) to reduce nighttime notifications
  6. Click Save

Managing Drivers in Telegram

Adding a Driver

  1. In Telegram, find the driver's account
  2. Have them search for @drafftai_bot and click Start
  3. In Drafft, go to Settings > Fleet Members
  4. Click Add Driver
  5. Enter their Telegram username (e.g., @john_doe)
  6. Click Confirm

Removing a Driver

  1. Go to Settings > Fleet Members
  2. Click the driver's name
  3. Click Remove from Fleet
  4. They'll stop receiving Drafft notifications

Common Commands

Once connected, drivers can use these commands in Telegram:

  • /balance - Check current fuel balance
  • /history - View fuel recommendation history
  • /skip - Defer a fuel recommendation
  • /confirm - Confirm a fuel stop
  • /help - View all available commands

Troubleshooting

"Invalid Fleet Code" error:

  • Double-check the code is copied exactly from Drafft Settings
  • Ensure you're using the /connect command, not just typing the code
  • Try disconnecting and reconnecting if the error persists

Not receiving notifications:

  • Confirm Telegram notifications are enabled in Drafft Settings
  • Check Telegram's app settings allow notifications from @drafftai_bot
  • Verify your internet connection
  • Restart the Telegram app

Group notifications not working:

  • Ensure @drafftai_bot is an admin of the group (not just a member)
  • Confirm the group was properly authorized in Drafft Settings
  • Check that quiet hours aren't hiding notifications

Telegram says "User not found":

  • Verify the driver has started @drafftai_bot
  • Confirm their Telegram username is entered correctly in Drafft
  • Have the driver check their privacy settings allow bot interactions

Privacy & Security

  • Drafft only sends fuel recommendations and operational alerts to Telegram
  • Driver location data is never shared in messages
  • All messages are encrypted end-to-end by Telegram
  • You control which drivers have Telegram access via Drafft Settings

Disconnecting Telegram

To stop receiving Telegram notifications:

  1. Go to Settings > Integrations > Telegram
  2. Click Disconnect
  3. Notifications will stop immediately (drivers can continue using the bot for manual queries)

For additional support, email support@drafftai.com.

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