Inline Queries

Inline Queries

telectl supports inline mode: type @telectl <query> in any chat to look up a resource without opening the bot. Results render as tappable cards that insert a summary into the chat — handy for pasting a pod's status or a service's endpoint into a conversation.

How it works

1. In any Telegram chat, type:

   @telectl pods
   

2. Telegram calls the bot's inline handler with the query.
3. telectl lists matching resources as inline results; tap one to send it.

The first token is the resource type, optionally followed by a name and/or namespace:

@telectl pods
@telectl deployment frontend
@telectl pods -n production
@telectl service my-svc

Query grammar

<resource> [name] [-n <namespace>] (same resource aliases as /get).

• No resource → the bot returns an inline help card.
• Unknown resource → inline help suggesting valid types.
• With a name → a single-resource result summarizing that object.
• Without a name → one result per matching resource in the namespace (or all, when -n is given and applies).

Example results

• @telectl pods -n production → one card per Pod in production, titled with its name and namespace.
• @telectl deployment frontend → a card for that Deployment with its desired/ready replicas.

Notes & limits

• Results are capped at Telegram's inline limit (max ~50 results).
• A result that can't be built (e.g. resource not found) returns a clear error card rather than failing silently.
• Permissions are the same as the bot — inline queries use the same impersonated client as the normal commands, so RBAC still applies. A read-only user gets read-only inline cards.
• Inline mode must be enabled for the bot in @BotFather (/setinline). It is controlled by the same allowed users allow-list.

Relationship to menu/typed commands

Entry point	When to use
/get, /describe	deep inspection in the workspace
Menu / Resources	browsing and mutating
Inline @telectl …	a quick look-up dropped into any chat

Inline queries are read-only lookups — they don't mutate anything.