Automation library · Documents and files

Build a retrieval-based chatbot with Telegram and OpenAI

Started by an incoming Telegram message, and works across Google Drive, Telegram and in-memory vectors. It puts OpenAI behind a retrieval step, so answers are drawn from documents you supply rather than from the model alone. 13 steps, 1 branch: a working afternoon to understand properly.

MediumCalls a model: OpenAIRetrieval

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13 stepsMedium: a working afternoon
1Branch: places the flow splits
0Loops or waits
3Services it connects to

The flow

Starts it 2Model 6Logic 2Service 3

The steps in the order they run, from what starts it.

  1. 1Embeddings OpenAIEmbeddings Open AiModel
  2. 2Default Data LoaderDocument Default Data LoaderModel
  3. 3OpenAI Chat ModelLm Chat Open AiModel
  4. 4Telegram TriggerTelegram triggerStarts it
  5. 5Upload your PDF document hereForm triggerStarts it
  6. 6Insert Data to StoreVector Store In MemoryModel
  7. 7Query Data ToolVector Store In MemoryModel
  8. 8Telegram document query agentAgentModel
  9. 9Is text message?IfLogic
  10. 10CodeCodeLogic
  11. 11Send respond to userTelegramService
  12. 12Un-supported message typeTelegramService
  13. 13Backup document(s) to Google DriveGoogle DriveService

How it's built

Starts on
An incoming Telegram message
Steps
13, with 1 branch
Size
Medium: a working afternoon
Connects to
Google Drive, Telegram, in-memory vectors
Model
OpenAI
Retrieval
Answers are drawn from documents you supply, not from the model alone

Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Google Drive, Telegram and in-memory vectors accounts, and a key for OpenAI. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on an incoming Telegram message.

Does it use AI?

Yes. It calls OpenAI. Its answers draw on documents you give it, not on the model alone. Model calls are billed by the provider, not by n8n.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 13 steps is enough that you should read each one before running it.

How do I import it?

Copy the workflow, open a new workflow in n8n and paste. The steps appear on the canvas, ready for your own accounts.

Before you run it

Nothing here has been tested by us. It is somebody's working automation, read and described from its own steps. Treat the connections it wants as a list of accounts it will touch, and read the 13 steps before you point it at anything that matters.