TGArchiveConsole Setup: A Guide to Archiving Telegram Chats

Telegram group chats grow fast, and keeping track of valuable discussions, shared files, and polls can feel overwhelming. That’s where TGArchiveConsole Setup comes in. Known more commonly as tg-archive, this Python-based tool lets you export and preserve your group’s chat history as a fully searchable, static website — complete with embedded media, reply links, and organized indexes.

In this guide, I’ll walk you step-by-step through installation, configuration, syncing, and customizing tg-archive so you can create a durable archive of your Telegram community.

What Is tg-archive?

At its core, tg-archive is an open-source archiving utility built with Python. It syncs Telegram messages into a local SQLite database and then builds them into static HTML pages. The result is a navigable website where you can browse conversations by year, month, or day.

Key Features

Automatic syncing of new messages
Downloading of photos, stickers, documents, and other media
Preservation of avatars, polls, and reply structures
Optional RSS/Atom feeds for updates
Jinja-based templates so you can style the archive however you like

Even though the original maintainer isn’t actively developing it, the community continues to improve and support tg-archive.

Prerequisites for TGArchiveConsole Setup

Before diving into installation, you’ll need a few things ready:

Telegram API credentials
- Obtain an API ID and API Hash from my.telegram.org.
- These must come from a user account (not a bot) so you can authenticate.
Python environment
- Python 3.8+ is required (tested successfully up to 3.13).
- Pip will handle dependencies like Telethon.
Storage considerations
- session.session → stores your login session.
- data.sqlite → the SQLite database of messages.
- site/ directory → static HTML files for your archive.

Step-by-Step TGArchiveConsole Setup Guide

1. Install tg-archive

Open your terminal and run:

This command installs tg-archive and its dependencies.

2. Initialize a New Archive

Create a fresh archive site directory:

This generates a folder called mysite with a ready-to-edit config.yaml.

3. Configure Your Archive

Edit mysite/config.yaml and enter:

Telegram group username or ID
API ID and API Hash
Optional settings (sync intervals, media handling, template preferences)

You can also customize template.html and assets in mysite/static for a unique look.

4. Sync Messages

Change into your new directory:

On the first sync, you’ll be prompted to enter your Telegram number and a verification code. tg-archive will then download all group messages into data.sqlite and cache media.

5. Build the Static Site

Generate the browsable archive site:

The output is a neat static website in the site/ folder. Messages are sorted chronologically, replies are linked, and media is embedded.

Keeping Your Archive Up to Date

To keep your Telegram archive current:

Automate syncs with cron (Linux/macOS) or Task Scheduler (Windows).
Run tg-archive --sync followed by tg-archive --build periodically.
Monitor for API rate limits when syncing highly active groups with heavy media.

Advanced TGArchiveConsole Setup Tips

Template customization
Adjust HTML and CSS via Jinja templates for full design control.
Selective media downloads
Limit downloads by type or size to save storage and bandwidth.
Hosting options
Deploy your static site to GitHub Pages, Netlify, or your own server for public access.
Stay updated
Recent releases (like v1.2.0) added inline video embedding, improved file type support, and sticker handling.
Troubleshooting
- Build errors on empty days
- Mime-type mismatches
- Message sync interruptions
  Check GitHub Issues for fixes and community patches.

Also Read: Google Block Breaker

Conclusion: Your Telegram Chats, Preserved for the Long Run

With this TGArchiveConsole Setup guide, you now have the tools to turn chaotic Telegram group chats into a structured, searchable archive site. From installing and configuring tg-archive to automating updates and customizing templates, the process is straightforward once you know the steps.

Whether you’re preserving community history, making research easier, or just keeping personal memories intact, tg-archive ensures your chats live beyond Telegram’s scroll.