Getting Started with the Telegram Bot

1 Verify your account

DM the bot anything — a link works, or just say hello. It replies with a Verify button. Tap it once and you're set up to shorten links.

2 Shorten a link

Once verified, send the bot any HTTPS link and it replies with your short link, e.g. https://router.hk/aB3xQ2/. No command needed in a DM.

3 Use it in a group

Add @routerhkbot to a group, tap the Verify this group button it posts, then use /short — either with a link right in the command, or as a reply to a message that has one.

A group admin can restrict this with /restrictshort (admins only) or open it back up with /allowshort.

4 Link it to your router.hk account

Already have a router.hk account? Open Account Settings while logged in and tap Link Telegram under the Telegram Bot section. Tapping the one-time link it shows (valid 15 minutes) ties your Telegram id to that account, so links you shorten via the bot show up in your dashboard.

If your Telegram id already had a bot-only account with links on it, those links move over automatically and the leftover account is removed.

5 Unlinking

• Never linked to a real account? DM the bot /unlink — no password needed.
• Linked to a real router.hk account? Unlink from Account Settings on the website instead — that needs your password to confirm.

6 Troubleshooting

The bot didn't reply to my link.

Make sure it's a valid HTTPS link and that you're verified. In a group, make sure the group itself is verified and, if restricted, that you're an admin.

I replied to a message with /short but nothing happened.

Make sure you used Telegram's actual Reply action (swipe or long-press → Reply) on the message with the link — sending /short as a new message right after doesn't count as a reply.

I'm being rate-limited.

The bot allows 10 new links per minute per account. Wait a moment and try again.