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42 starsTypeScript

Lilo – An open source personal AI assistant that lives in Telegram

by abi·May 22, 2026·2 points·1 comment
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AI Analysis

●●SolidShip ItNiche Gem

Telegram-native agent with memory and HTML apps, but setup is rough alpha.

Strengths
  • •Model-agnostic architecture lets you swap OpenAI, Anthropic, or local LLMs easily.
  • •Persistent workspace with HTML-based mini-apps adds depth beyond simple chat bots.
  • •Native Telegram integration handles voice notes, photos, and receipts without extra glue.
Weaknesses
  • •Alpha warning admits breaking changes and rough setup will frustrate non-technical users.
  • •Telegram dependency limits appeal compared to standalone apps like Cursor or Continue.
Category
AI/ML
Target Audience

Power users who live in Telegram and want local AI automation

Similar To

Mem0 · LangChain · AutoGen

Post Description

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share an open source Telegram-based personal AI assistant I built. It’s a model-agnostic agent with memory, skills, tools (like web search, browser user, etc.) operating in a persistent workspace. It also has support for scheduled tasks, and can build powerful HTML-based apps that live in the workspace.

Here are some of my favorite use cases:

* Send Lilo photos of food, and it tracks your calories.

* Leave a voice note on your run to pause your supplements, and Lilo adds a TODO.

* Have Lilo remind you when the Knicks game starts and even send you score updates every 5 minutes.

* Have Lilo read an article out loud. Or give you a summary of the top stories on Hacker News.

* Forward a Uber receipt, and pull it up later to file for a reimbursement at work.

* Schedule a meeting with Jess next week, ask for suggestions on location, and next week, remind you to leave for the meeting on time.

While Telegram is my most frequently used channel, Lilo can also be accessed by email, WhatsApp, a website and a mobile app. Email is particularly useful: I often forward receipts, invites, etc for Lilo to handle.

How is this different from OpenClaw and Hermes Agent? Here are some reasons:

- Runs on a remote machine/in the cloud rather than your local machine - your local data is safe, and the assistant is available 24/7.

- More visual/ more GUI - Lilo comes with a default set of apps like a TODO list that you can interact with not just by text, but also with a GUI on the mobile and web app.

- The Telegram integration is very comprehensive (handles replies, voice notes, reactions, etc.).

I use Lilo a ton to manage my life. Would love to hear your feedback!

Github: https://github.com/abi/lilo

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