# TGLiveChat — Free live chat widget that routes messages to Telegram

> TGLiveChat (tglivechat.com) is a live chat widget you embed on any website with one line of code. Visitor messages go directly to your Telegram. You reply from your phone. No separate dashboard needed, no extra app to install, no desktop required.

## What is TGLiveChat?

TGLiveChat is a live chat SaaS built for people who already live in Telegram. You paste one script tag on your website, and every visitor message lands in your Telegram (personal chat or a group). You reply from your phone at 2am, during lunch, wherever. The visitor sees your reply instantly on your website. Free plan included, no credit card needed.

## Core Features

- **One-Line Install**: Single script tag, paste before </body>, done in 30 seconds
- **Telegram Routing**: Messages go to your personal Telegram or a Telegram group with forum topics (one thread per conversation)
- **25 Widget Themes**: Glass, Modern, Classic, Prestige, Aurora, Mashriq (RTL/Arabic), Void, Terminal, Lo-Fi, Arcade, OS9, Synthwave
- **Real-Time WebSocket**: Under 800ms round-trip from visitor message to your Telegram notification
- **Pre-Chat Forms**: Collect visitor name and email before they start chatting
- **Working Hours**: Auto-show offline message outside business hours
- **Photo Sharing**: Visitors can send images, they appear in your Telegram
- **CSAT Ratings**: After closing a conversation, visitors rate their experience
- **Dashboard Inbox**: Full split-pane inbox with pinned tabs, sound alerts, browser notifications
- **Missed Chat Email Alerts**: Get an email if a visitor message goes unanswered for 5 minutes
- **Bilingual**: Full English and Arabic (RTL) support

## Who Uses TGLiveChat?

- Solo founders and indie hackers who want live chat without learning another tool
- Small SaaS teams who already use Telegram internally
- Agencies managing support for multiple client websites
- E-commerce stores that want to talk to customers from their phone
- Developers who want a dead-simple integration with zero dependencies

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Is there a free plan?**
Yes. The free plan includes 1 widget, 100 chats per month, and a pre-chat form. No credit card required, no time limit.

**Do I need to install a server or backend?**
No. TGLiveChat is a hosted service. You paste one script tag on your site, connect your Telegram, and you're live.

**Does it work with WordPress, Webflow, Shopify, and other platforms?**
Yes. Any website that lets you add a script tag before </body> works. WordPress, Webflow, Shopify, Squarespace, Framer, static HTML, Next.js, anything. For WordPress, there is an official plugin at wordpress.org/plugins/tglivechat. For React and Next.js, install the `@tglivechat/widget` npm package.

**Can my whole team reply from one Telegram group?**
Yes. On the Pro plan, you connect a Telegram group with Topics enabled. Each visitor conversation gets its own thread. Any group member can reply.

**What happens when I'm offline?**
The widget shows an offline message and collects the visitor's email. You get notified and can follow up later.

**How is this different from Intercom or Crisp?**
TGLiveChat routes everything to Telegram. No separate inbox to check, no desktop app to install, no new tool to learn. You already have Telegram on your phone. That's your support desk now.

## Key Pages

- [Homepage](https://tglivechat.com): Product overview, live demo, pricing
- [Themes](https://tglivechat.com/themes): Browse all 25 widget themes with live previews
- [Docs](https://tglivechat.com/docs): Getting started guide, installation, configuration
- [Blog](https://tglivechat.com/blog): Articles on live chat, customer support, Telegram tips
- [Pricing](https://tglivechat.com/pricing): Free, Pro ($12/mo), Agency ($29/mo)
- [About](https://tglivechat.com/about): Team and story
- [Changelog](https://tglivechat.com/changelog): Product updates and new features
- [Lifetime Deal](https://tglivechat.com/lifetime): One-time payment for lifetime access
- [Contact](https://tglivechat.com/contact): Get in touch with the team
- [Compare vs Intercom](https://tglivechat.com/compare/tglivechat-vs-intercom): Feature and pricing comparison
- [Compare vs Tawk.to](https://tglivechat.com/compare/tglivechat-vs-tawk): Both free, different approach
- [Compare vs Crisp](https://tglivechat.com/compare/tglivechat-vs-crisp): Telegram vs dashboard support
- [Live Chat for SaaS](https://tglivechat.com/use-cases/saas): Why SaaS teams use TGLiveChat
- [Live Chat for E-commerce](https://tglivechat.com/use-cases/ecommerce): Talk to shoppers from your phone
- [Live Chat for Agencies](https://tglivechat.com/use-cases/agencies): Manage client support from one group
- [Install on WordPress](https://tglivechat.com/docs/install/wordpress): Official plugin + manual installation guide
- [Install on React / Next.js](https://tglivechat.com/docs/install): npm package `@tglivechat/widget` installation guide
- [Install — all platforms](https://tglivechat.com/docs/install): HTML, React, Next.js, WordPress, Shopify, Webflow, Squarespace, Bubble
- [Privacy](https://tglivechat.com/privacy): Privacy policy
- [Terms](https://tglivechat.com/terms): Terms of service

## Technical

- Platform: Next.js 15 (dashboard), Node.js/Express (server), Vanilla TypeScript (widget)
- Widget size: ~10KB gzipped, zero dependencies
- Data: Supabase (Postgres), all data encrypted in transit
- Widget isolation: Shadow DOM prevents CSS conflicts with host page
- Hosting: Railway (server), Vercel (dashboard + CDN)
- npm package: `@tglivechat/widget` (React / Next.js component wrapper)
- WordPress plugin: wordpress.org/plugins/tglivechat (official, one-click install)

## Installation Methods

### HTML script tag (any website)
```html
<script src="https://cdn.tglivechat.com/w.js" data-id="YOUR_WIDGET_ID" async defer></script>
```

### npm package — React / Next.js
```bash
npm install @tglivechat/widget
```
```jsx
import { TGLiveChat } from '@tglivechat/widget';
// Add <TGLiveChat widgetId="YOUR_WIDGET_ID" /> anywhere in your component tree.
// For Next.js App Router, mark the file "use client".
```

### WordPress plugin
Install **TGLiveChat** from the WordPress Plugin Directory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/tglivechat
Activate → paste Widget ID in plugin settings → done.

## npm Package Details

- Package name: `@tglivechat/widget`
- Registry: https://www.npmjs.com/package/@tglivechat/widget
- Peer deps: React 16.8+ / 17 / 18 / 19
- Handles React StrictMode double-mount correctly
- Props mirror all `data-*` script tag attributes: `widgetId`, `color`, `privacyUrl`, `autoOpen`, `dir`, `title`, `subtitle`, `agentPhoto`, `containerId`, `serverUrl`