A hidden Agent feature has been found in Telegram's macOS 13.1.0 beta (283365). It lets users connect third-party AI services with their own API key and call them through @agent. There is no official announcement yet, and the feature is not available to regular users.
- Five providers: OpenAI (ChatGPT), Anthropic (Claude), Google (Gemini), xAI (Grok) and the OpenRouter aggregator.
- Your own key: multiple connections at once and switching between them.
- Sync: settings move across devices; the interface shows the connection date and the last four characters of the key.
- Not AI Editor: Agent is a separate feature.
What was found in the beta
| Parameter | What is known |
|---|---|
| Build | Telegram Beta for macOS 13.1.0 (283365) |
| Name | Agent; listed as Agents among upcoming updates |
| Providers | ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, OpenRouter |
| Connection | Your own API key and a link to the provider's key page |
| Call | @agent |
| Status | Hidden feature, unavailable to regular users |
| Relation to AI Editor | Separate development |
How the connection will work
The flow described by the teleLakel channel: the user picks a provider, enters an API key and waits for validation. After a successful connection, the message "You can now use @agent" appears. You can add several services and choose which one is active for @agent.
The provider list is loaded from the server, so new services can be added without an app update. The code includes model names and search, but manual selection of a specific model is not yet confirmed.
Connection settings are synced across devices. They store the date the key was added and its last four characters. The key itself passes through Telegram's servers during connection, where its validity and provider availability are checked. Where the full key is stored and how it is protected has not been officially disclosed.
How exactly users will talk to @agent — in a private chat, through inline mode or otherwise — is also unknown. The feature is not yet enabled for users.
Why it matters for media buyers
If Agent reaches release, Telegram could become another entry point to AI models — without switching between tabs and apps. Practical scenarios:
- draft ad copy and headlines for creatives;
- translate texts for different geos;
- summarize competitor landing pages and channels;
- help with hypotheses, prompts and test structure.
But this is not free access to models. You pay the provider through your API key, and limits and billing depend on the service. For team workflows — roles, shared limits, auditing — Telegram has announced nothing yet. Nor is it a replacement for specialized affiliate AI tools: rather, another interface to the same models. For a deeper stack overview, see "AI tools for affiliate marketing".
How it differs from a regular bot
Third-party bots for ChatGPT and Claude have existed in Telegram for a while. Agent stands out as a native feature with your own key, provider choice and possibly model choice. But it is still unclear whether @agent will work in any chat, keep history and accept files. If not, the difference from a regular bot will be minimal.
Economics
An API key is not a ChatGPT Plus subscription. Providers bill tokens, and the cost depends on the model and request length. For recurring tasks, calculate the price of 100 similar requests and compare it with off-the-shelf services.
Risks and limitations
- The key passes through Telegram's servers. Use a separate key for the experiment, cap the budget and permissions, and revoke it if you suspect a leak.
- Screenshots. The settings show the last four characters of the key. Do not post them in chats or forums.
- Billing. Costs grow at the provider's rates. Set limits and monitor usage.
- Data. Do not send personal data, customer databases or ad account credentials. The chosen provider's rules apply.
- Beta. The interface and logic may change; there is no stability guarantee.
- Phishing. There is no public connection bot yet. Treat any "connect Agent now" offer with suspicion and check the primary source.
When it will launch
The official macOS 13.1.0 changelog dated October 20, 2026 lists only "bug fixes, minor improvements" — nothing about Agent.
On October 23, teleLakel published its breakdown and later added Agents to the list of features planned for the stable 13.2.0 release, alongside message widgets and a news feed. That is a leak, not a promise: the scope and timing may change.
While the feature is unavailable to users, any guide on "how to enable Agent now" should be treated with caution.
How to prepare
- Separate keys. Create a key only for experiments; do not use your main production key.
- Limits. Set a maximum budget and alerts with the provider.
- Data policy. Decide in advance which texts and data must never be sent to a model.
- Test safely. Start with translation, summarization and drafts, not customer data.
- Monitoring. Check spend and logs, especially if several people use the key.
- Do not rush the team rollout. Wait for the official release and security documentation.
FAQ
What is Telegram Agent?
A hidden feature in the Telegram macOS beta that lets users connect third-party AI services with an API key and call them through @agent.
Which providers are supported?
In the discovered build: OpenAI (ChatGPT), Anthropic (Claude), Google (Gemini), xAI (Grok) and OpenRouter. The list is loaded from the server, so it may expand.
Do I need my own API key?
Yes. The user picks a provider and enters their own key, which Telegram validates during connection.
Is it free?
No. The feature itself may be free, but model requests are billed by the provider through your API key.
When will it be released?
There is no official date. According to teleLakel, Agents are on the list for the upcoming 13.2.0 update, but that is not a guarantee.
Can I choose a specific model?
The code includes model names and search, but manual selection is not yet confirmed. At launch, there may be only a provider choice.
Where is the key stored?
The key passes through Telegram's servers for validation. The settings store the connection date and the last four characters. Full storage details have not been officially disclosed.
Is this related to AI Editor?
No. Agent is developed separately from AI Editor; they are different features.
Bottom line
Agent looks like a logical step: Telegram has already become a workspace for many teams and may now become an entry point to different models. But it is still a hidden beta, and the main risk is not which model you pick, but how keys and data are protected. If the feature ships, the advantage will go to teams that already have an AI policy, spending limits and a clear idea of which tasks can be delegated to a model.
Sources
Primary source: teleLakel's breakdown — the Agent feature post and the connection flow. Upcoming update list: teleLakel 1232. Official version history: Telegram for macOS. Secondary overview: vc.ru.