Inline Menu

An inline menu is a card-based search interface that opens directly within Telegram when a user types @your_bot_name in any chat. A pop-up list of results appears, allowing the user to scroll through and make a selection.

This feature is ideal for product catalogs, content libraries, directories, and any other structured lists that users might want to search.

This feature works only if inline mode is enabled in the bot's settings via @BotFather (using the /setinline command).

Data sources

The inline menu supports three data sources:

Manual mode

Cards are defined manually in the editor. For each card, you specify:

Title — the main text of the card
Description — details displayed below the title
Image — a thumbnail (URL or file)
Selection text — the message the bot sends to the chat when the card is clicked

Use manual mode for small, static lists, such as FAQs, service lists, or subscription types.

Dynamic mode: Product catalog

Cards are generated from your bot's product catalog. Search is performed in real-time based on product names. Each card displays the product's name, description, and image.

Use this mode for online stores and storefronts.

Dynamic mode: File library

Cards are generated from the bot's file library. You can filter results by file type (photo, video, audio, document).

Use this mode for media libraries, image collections, or audio libraries.

Pagination

If there are many results, the inline menu automatically paginates them; the user scrolls through the list and loads the next batch of results.

Interactive selection (via-bot)

When a user clicks an inline menu card in a chat, the selected item's data can be automatically saved to variables, triggering a specific scenario. ### How to set it up

In the inline menu settings, enable "Run command after selection".
Select the target node — the place the bot will navigate to after the selection is made.
Specify the variable — where the selected item's data (ID, name, etc.) will be stored.

What happens upon selection

The user selects a card → the bot triggers the specified node in the private chat with the user → the selected item's payload is saved to the variable.

You can then use the item's data in any of the node's blocks: to display a description, show the price, create an invoice, etc.

Tips

For catalog searches, choose the dynamic mode based on products — it stays up-to-date automatically and requires no manual updates.
The "via-bot" feature is perfect for selecting a product before payment: the user searches for the desired item → selects it → the bot automatically generates an invoice.
Cards with images attract more attention — try to fill in the photo field.

What is an inline menu?