diff --git a/engine/vibes_auth/messaging/consumers.py b/engine/vibes_auth/messaging/consumers.py
index 8d4c4488..9021ad32 100644
--- a/engine/vibes_auth/messaging/consumers.py
+++ b/engine/vibes_auth/messaging/consumers.py
@@ -2,16 +2,77 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 from typing import Any
 
+from asgiref.sync import sync_to_async
 from channels.generic.websocket import AsyncJsonWebsocketConsumer
 from drf_spectacular_websocket.decorators import extend_ws_schema
+from django.conf import settings
+from django.core.cache import cache
+from django.utils import timezone
 
 from engine.vibes_auth.docs.drf.messaging import (
     STAFF_INBOX_CONSUMER_SCHEMA,
     THREAD_CONSUMER_SCHEMA,
     USER_MESSAGE_CONSUMER_SCHEMA,
 )
+from engine.vibes_auth.messaging.services import (
+    STAFF_INBOX_GROUP,
+    THREAD_GROUP_PREFIX,
+    claim_thread,
+    close_thread,
+    get_or_create_user_thread,
+    send_message,
+)
+from engine.vibes_auth.models import ChatThread, User
+from engine.vibes_auth.choices import SenderType, ThreadStatus
 
 MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH = 1028
+USER_SUPPORT_GROUP_NAME = "User Support"
+ANTISPAM_LIMIT_PER_MIN = getattr(settings, "MESSAGING_ANTISPAM_LIMIT_PER_MIN", 20)
+
+
+def _get_ip(scope) -> str:
+    client = scope.get("client")
+    if client and isinstance(client, (list, tuple)) and client:
+        return str(client[0])
+    return "0.0.0.0"
+
+
+async def _is_user_support(user: Any) -> bool:
+    if not getattr(user, "is_authenticated", False) or not getattr(user, "is_staff", False):
+        return False
+    return await sync_to_async(user.groups.filter(name=USER_SUPPORT_GROUP_NAME).exists)()
+
+
+async def _get_or_create_ip_thread(ip: str) -> ChatThread:
+    def _inner() -> ChatThread:
+        thread = ChatThread.objects.filter(attributes__ip=ip, status=ThreadStatus.OPEN).order_by("-modified").first()
+        if thread:
+            return thread
+        return ChatThread.objects.create(email="", attributes={"ip": ip})
+
+    return await sync_to_async(_inner)()
+
+
+async def _get_or_create_active_thread_for(user: User | None, ip: str) -> ChatThread:
+    if user and getattr(user, "is_authenticated", False) and not getattr(user, "is_staff", False):
+
+        def _inner_user() -> ChatThread:
+            t = ChatThread.objects.filter(user=user, status=ThreadStatus.OPEN).order_by("-modified").first()
+            if t:
+                return t
+            return get_or_create_user_thread(user)
+
+        return await sync_to_async(_inner_user)()
+    return await _get_or_create_ip_thread(ip)
+
+
+async def _antispam_check(ip: str) -> bool:
+    key = f"msg_rate:{ip}:{timezone.now().strftime('%Y%m%d%H%M')}"
+    cnt = cache.get(key, 0)
+    if cnt >= ANTISPAM_LIMIT_PER_MIN:
+        return False
+    cache.set(key, cnt + 1, timeout=70)
+    return True
 
 
 class UserMessageConsumer(AsyncJsonWebsocketConsumer):
@@ -23,25 +84,139 @@ class UserMessageConsumer(AsyncJsonWebsocketConsumer):
         action = content.get("action")
         if action == "ping":
             await self.send_json({"type": "pong"})
-        else:
-            text = content.get("text", "")
-            if isinstance(text, str) and len(text) <= MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH:
-                await self.send_json({"echo": text})
-            else:
-                await self.send_json({"error": "invalid_payload"})
+            return
+
+        text = content.get("text", "")
+        if not isinstance(text, str) or not (0 < len(text) <= MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH):
+            await self.send_json({"error": "invalid_payload"})
+            return
+
+        ip = _get_ip(self.scope)
+        if not await _antispam_check(ip):
+            await self.send_json({"error": "rate_limited"})
+            return
+
+        user: User | None = self.scope.get("user")
+        thread = await _get_or_create_active_thread_for(user if user and user.is_authenticated else None, ip)
+
+        msg = await sync_to_async(send_message)(
+            thread,
+            sender_user=user if user and user.is_authenticated and not user.is_staff else None,
+            sender_type=SenderType.USER,
+            text=text,
+        )
+
+        await self.send_json(
+            {
+                "ok": True,
+                "thread_id": str(thread.uuid),
+                "message_id": str(msg.uuid),
+            }
+        )
 
 
 class StaffInboxConsumer(AsyncJsonWebsocketConsumer):
     async def connect(self) -> None:
         user = self.scope.get("user")
-        if not getattr(user, "is_staff", False):
+        if not await _is_user_support(user):
             await self.close(code=4403)
             return
+        await self.channel_layer.group_add(STAFF_INBOX_GROUP, self.channel_name)
         await self.accept()
 
+    async def disconnect(self, code: int) -> None:
+        await self.channel_layer.group_discard(STAFF_INBOX_GROUP, self.channel_name)
+
     @extend_ws_schema(**STAFF_INBOX_CONSUMER_SCHEMA)
     async def receive_json(self, content: dict[str, Any], **kwargs) -> None:
-        await self.send_json({"ok": True})
+        action = content.get("action")
+        user: User = self.scope.get("user")
+
+        if action == "ping":
+            await self.send_json({"type": "pong"})
+            return
+
+        if action == "list_open":
+
+            def _list():
+                qs = (
+                    ChatThread.objects.filter(status=ThreadStatus.OPEN)
+                    .values("uuid", "user_id", "email", "assigned_to_id", "last_message_at")
+                    .order_by("-modified")
+                )
+                return list(qs)
+
+            data = await sync_to_async(_list)()
+            await self.send_json({"type": "inbox.list", "threads": data})
+            return
+
+        if action == "assign":
+            thread_id = content.get("thread_id")
+            if not thread_id:
+                await self.send_json({"error": "thread_id_required"})
+                return
+
+            def _assign():
+                thread = ChatThread.objects.get(uuid=thread_id)
+                return claim_thread(thread, user)
+
+            try:
+                t = await sync_to_async(_assign)()
+                await self.send_json({"type": "assigned", "thread_id": str(t.uuid), "user": str(user.uuid)})
+            except Exception as e:  # noqa: BLE001
+                await self.send_json({"error": "assign_failed", "detail": str(e)})
+            return
+
+        if action == "reply":
+            thread_id = content.get("thread_id")
+            text = content.get("text", "")
+            if not thread_id or not isinstance(text, str) or not (0 < len(text) <= MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH):
+                await self.send_json({"error": "invalid_payload"})
+                return
+
+            def _can_reply_and_send():
+                thread = ChatThread.objects.get(uuid=thread_id)
+                if thread.assigned_to_id and thread.assigned_to_id != user.id and not user.is_superuser:
+                    raise PermissionError("not_assigned")
+                return send_message(thread, sender_user=user, sender_type=SenderType.STAFF, text=text)
+
+            try:
+                msg = await sync_to_async(_can_reply_and_send)()
+                await self.send_json({"type": "replied", "message_id": str(msg.uuid)})
+            except Exception as e:  # noqa: BLE001
+                await self.send_json({"error": "reply_failed", "detail": str(e)})
+            return
+
+        if action == "close":
+            thread_id = content.get("thread_id")
+            if not thread_id:
+                await self.send_json({"error": "thread_id_required"})
+                return
+
+            def _close():
+                thread = ChatThread.objects.get(uuid=thread_id)
+                return close_thread(thread, user)
+
+            try:
+                t = await sync_to_async(_close)()
+                await self.send_json({"type": "closed", "thread_id": str(t.uuid)})
+            except Exception as e:  # noqa: BLE001
+                await self.send_json({"error": "close_failed", "detail": str(e)})
+            return
+
+        await self.send_json({"error": "unknown_action"})
+
+    async def staff_thread_created(self, event):
+        await self.send_json({"type": "staff.thread.created", **{k: v for k, v in event.items() if k != "type"}})
+
+    async def staff_thread_assigned(self, event):
+        await self.send_json({"type": "staff.thread.assigned", **{k: v for k, v in event.items() if k != "type"}})
+
+    async def staff_thread_reassigned(self, event):
+        await self.send_json({"type": "staff.thread.reassigned", **{k: v for k, v in event.items() if k != "type"}})
+
+    async def staff_thread_closed(self, event):
+        await self.send_json({"type": "staff.thread.closed", **{k: v for k, v in event.items() if k != "type"}})
 
 
 class ThreadConsumer(AsyncJsonWebsocketConsumer):
@@ -49,12 +224,66 @@ class ThreadConsumer(AsyncJsonWebsocketConsumer):
 
     async def connect(self) -> None:
         user = self.scope.get("user")
-        if not getattr(user, "is_staff", False):
+        if not await _is_user_support(user):
             await self.close(code=4403)
             return
         self.thread_id = self.scope["url_route"]["kwargs"].get("thread_id")
+        await self.channel_layer.group_add(f"{THREAD_GROUP_PREFIX}{self.thread_id}", self.channel_name)
         await self.accept()
 
+    async def disconnect(self, code: int) -> None:
+        if self.thread_id:
+            await self.channel_layer.group_discard(f"{THREAD_GROUP_PREFIX}{self.thread_id}", self.channel_name)
+
     @extend_ws_schema(**THREAD_CONSUMER_SCHEMA)
     async def receive_json(self, content: dict[str, Any], **kwargs) -> None:
+        action = content.get("action")
+        user: User = self.scope.get("user")
+
+        if action == "ping":
+            await self.send_json({"type": "pong", "thread": getattr(self, "thread_id", None)})
+            return
+
+        if action == "reply":
+            text = content.get("text", "")
+            if not isinstance(text, str) or not (0 < len(text) <= MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH):
+                await self.send_json({"error": "invalid_payload"})
+                return
+
+            def _reply():
+                thread = ChatThread.objects.get(uuid=self.thread_id)
+                if thread.assigned_to_id and thread.assigned_to_id != user.id and not user.is_superuser:
+                    raise PermissionError("not_assigned")
+                return send_message(thread, sender_user=user, sender_type=SenderType.STAFF, text=text)
+
+            try:
+                msg = await sync_to_async(_reply)()
+                await self.send_json({"type": "replied", "message_id": str(msg.uuid)})
+            except Exception as e:  # noqa: BLE001
+                await self.send_json({"error": "reply_failed", "detail": str(e)})
+            return
+
+        if action == "close":
+
+            def _close():
+                thread = ChatThread.objects.get(uuid=self.thread_id)
+                return close_thread(thread, user)
+
+            try:
+                t = await sync_to_async(_close)()
+                await self.send_json({"type": "closed", "thread_id": str(t.uuid)})
+            except Exception as e:  # noqa: BLE001
+                await self.send_json({"error": "close_failed", "detail": str(e)})
+            return
+
         await self.send_json({"thread": getattr(self, "thread_id", None), "ok": True})
+
+    async def thread_message(self, event):
+        await self.send_json({"type": "thread.message", **{k: v for k, v in event.items() if k != "type"}})
+
+    async def thread_closed(self, event):
+        await self.send_json({"type": "thread.closed", **{k: v for k, v in event.items() if k != "type"}})
+
+
+# TODO: Add functionality so non-staff users may audio call staff-user. The call must fall into the queue where
+#  staff users may take advantage of answering the call. Many non-staff users may call simultaneously, that's why we need the queue
diff --git a/engine/vibes_auth/messaging/forwarders/__init__.py b/engine/vibes_auth/messaging/forwarders/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e69de29b
diff --git a/engine/vibes_auth/messaging/forwarders/telegram.py b/engine/vibes_auth/messaging/forwarders/telegram.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a24d26e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/engine/vibes_auth/messaging/forwarders/telegram.py
@@ -0,0 +1,198 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import asyncio
+import logging
+from contextlib import suppress
+from typing import Optional
+
+from aiogram import Bot, Dispatcher, Router, types
+from aiogram.enums import ParseMode
+from aiogram.filters import Command
+from aiogram.webhook.aiohttp_server import SimpleRequestHandler
+from django.conf import settings
+from django.contrib.auth import get_user_model
+from django.db.models import Q
+
+from engine.vibes_auth.choices import SenderType
+from engine.vibes_auth.messaging.services import send_message as svc_send_message
+from engine.vibes_auth.models import ChatThread
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+USER_SUPPORT_GROUP_NAME = "User Support"
+
+
+def is_telegram_enabled() -> bool:
+    return bool(settings.TELEGRAM_TOKEN)
+
+
+def _get_bot() -> Optional["Bot"]:
+    if not is_telegram_enabled():
+        logger.warning("Telegram forwarder disabled: missing aiogram or TELEGRAM_TOKEN")
+        return None
+    return Bot(token=settings.TELEGRAM_TOKEN, parse_mode=ParseMode.HTML)  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+
+
+def build_router() -> Optional["Router"]:
+    if not is_telegram_enabled():
+        return None
+
+    User = get_user_model()
+    router: Router = Router()
+
+    @router.message(Command("start"))
+    async def cmd_start(message: types.Message):  # type: ignore[valid-type]
+        parts = (message.text or "").split(maxsplit=1)
+        if len(parts) < 2:
+            await message.answer(
+                "Welcome! To link your account, send: <code>/start ACTIVATION_TOKEN</code>\n"
+                "You can find your activation token in your profile."
+            )
+            return
+        token = parts[1].strip()
+
+        def _link():
+            try:
+                retrieved_user = User.objects.get(activation_token=token)
+            except User.DoesNotExist:  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+                return None
+            attrs = dict(retrieved_user.attributes or {})
+            attrs["telegram_id"] = message.from_user.id if message.from_user else None  # type: ignore[union-attr]
+            retrieved_user.attributes = attrs
+            retrieved_user.save(update_fields=["attributes", "modified"])  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+            return retrieved_user
+
+        user = await asyncio.to_thread(_link)
+        if not user:
+            await message.answer("Invalid activation token.")
+            return
+        await message.answer("Your Telegram account has been linked successfully.")
+
+    @router.message(Command("unlink"))
+    async def cmd_unlink(message: types.Message):  # type: ignore[valid-type]
+        tid = message.from_user.id if message.from_user else None  # type: ignore[union-attr]
+        if not tid:
+            await message.answer("Cannot unlink: no Telegram user id.")
+            return
+
+        def _unlink():
+            q = Q(attributes__telegram_id=tid)
+            updated_query = User.objects.filter(q).update(attributes={})
+            return updated_query
+
+        updated = await asyncio.to_thread(_unlink)
+        if updated:
+            await message.answer("Unlinked successfully.")
+        else:
+            await message.answer("No linked account found.")
+
+    @router.message(Command("help"))
+    async def cmd_help(message: types.Message):  # type: ignore[valid-type]
+        await message.answer(
+            "Commands:\n"
+            "/start <token> — link your account\n"
+            "/unlink — unlink your account\n"
+            "As staff, you may use: <code>reply THREAD_UUID your message</code> to respond."
+        )
+
+    @router.message()
+    async def any_message(message: types.Message):  # type: ignore[valid-type]
+        if not message.from_user or not message.text:
+            return
+        tid = message.from_user.id
+
+        def _resolve_staff_and_command():
+            try:
+                staff_user = User.objects.get(attributes__telegram_id=tid, is_staff=True, is_active=True)
+            except User.DoesNotExist:  # type: ignore[attr-defined]
+                return None, None, None
+            # group check
+            if not staff_user.groups.filter(name=USER_SUPPORT_GROUP_NAME).exists():
+                return None, None, None
+            text = message.text.strip()
+            if text.lower().startswith("reply "):
+                parts = text.split(maxsplit=2)
+                if len(parts) < 3:
+                    return staff_user, None, "Usage: reply <THREAD_UUID> <message>"
+                thread_id, message_body = parts[1], parts[2]
+                try:
+                    thread = ChatThread.objects.get(uuid=thread_id)
+                except ChatThread.DoesNotExist:
+                    return staff_user, None, "Thread not found."
+                return staff_user, (thread, message_body), None
+            return staff_user, None, "Unknown command. Send /help"
+
+        staff, payload, error = await asyncio.to_thread(_resolve_staff_and_command)
+        if not staff:
+            return
+        if error:
+            await message.answer(error)
+            return
+        if payload:
+            t, body = payload
+
+            def _send():
+                return svc_send_message(t, sender_user=staff, sender_type=SenderType.STAFF, text=body)
+
+            await asyncio.to_thread(_send)
+            await message.answer("Sent.")
+
+    return router
+
+
+async def setup_webhook(webhook_base_url: str) -> None:
+    bot = _get_bot()
+    if not bot:
+        return
+    url = webhook_base_url.rstrip("/") + "/telegram/webhook/" + settings.TELEGRAM_TOKEN
+    with suppress(Exception):
+        await bot.delete_webhook(drop_pending_updates=True)
+    await bot.set_webhook(url=url, drop_pending_updates=True)
+    logger.info("Telegram webhook set to %s", url)
+
+
+async def forward_thread_message_to_assigned_staff(thread_uuid: str, text: str) -> None:
+    """Forward a thread message to assigned staff via Telegram if possible.
+
+    This is a best-effort; failures are logged and never raised.
+    """
+    if not is_telegram_enabled():
+        return
+
+    def _resolve_chat_and_chat_id() -> tuple[Optional[int], Optional[str]]:
+        try:
+            t = ChatThread.objects.select_related("assigned_to").get(uuid=thread_uuid)
+        except ChatThread.DoesNotExist:
+            return None, None
+        staff = t.assigned_to
+        if not staff:
+            return None, None
+        attrs = staff.attributes or {}
+        chat_telegram_id = attrs.get("telegram_id") if isinstance(attrs, dict) else None
+        return int(chat_telegram_id) if chat_telegram_id else None, str(t.uuid)
+
+    chat_id, _tid = await asyncio.to_thread(_resolve_chat_and_chat_id)
+    if not chat_id:
+        return
+    bot = _get_bot()
+    if not bot:
+        return
+    try:
+        await bot.send_message(chat_id=chat_id, text=text)
+    except Exception as exc:  # noqa: BLE001
+        logger.warning("Failed to forward Telegram message for thread %s: %s", _tid, exc)
+
+
+def install_aiohttp_webhook(app) -> None:  # pragma: no cover - integration helper
+    if not is_telegram_enabled():
+        logger.warning("Telegram forwarder not installed: disabled")
+        return
+    dp = Dispatcher()  # type: ignore[call-arg]
+    router = build_router()
+    if router:
+        dp.include_router(router)
+    bot = _get_bot()
+    if not bot:
+        return
+    SimpleRequestHandler(dispatcher=dp, bot=bot).register(app, path="/telegram/webhook/" + settings.TELEGRAM_TOKEN)  # type: ignore[arg-type]
+    logger.info("Telegram webhook handler installed on aiohttp app.")
diff --git a/engine/vibes_auth/messaging/services.py b/engine/vibes_auth/messaging/services.py
index e4926448..18a9dfc4 100644
--- a/engine/vibes_auth/messaging/services.py
+++ b/engine/vibes_auth/messaging/services.py
@@ -11,8 +11,11 @@ from django.utils import timezone
 from django.utils.translation import gettext_lazy as _
 
 from engine.vibes_auth.choices import SenderType, ThreadStatus
-from engine.vibes_auth.models import ChatMessage, ChatThread
-from engine.vibes_auth.models import User
+from engine.vibes_auth.messaging.forwarders.telegram import (
+    forward_thread_message_to_assigned_staff,
+    is_telegram_enabled,
+)
+from engine.vibes_auth.models import ChatMessage, ChatThread, User
 
 THREAD_GROUP_PREFIX = "thread:"
 STAFF_INBOX_GROUP = "staff:inbox"
@@ -82,6 +85,8 @@ def send_message(thread: ChatThread, *, sender_user: User | None, sender_type: S
         },
     )
     if sender_type != SenderType.STAFF:
+        if is_telegram_enabled():
+            async_to_sync(forward_thread_message_to_assigned_staff)(str(thread.uuid), text)
         auto_reply(thread)
     return msg
 
diff --git a/evibes/settings/constance.py b/evibes/settings/constance.py
index 2c52f41b..5181f7ea 100644
--- a/evibes/settings/constance.py
+++ b/evibes/settings/constance.py
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ CONSTANCE_CONFIG = OrderedDict(
         ("EMAIL_HOST_PASSWORD", (getenv("EMAIL_HOST_PASSWORD", "SUPERsecretPASSWORD"), _("SMTP password"))),
         ("EMAIL_FROM", (getenv("EMAIL_FROM", "eVibes"), _("Mail from option"))),
         ### Features Options ###
-        ("TELEGRAM_API_TOKEN", ("", _("Use Telegram-bot functionality"))),
         ("DAYS_TO_STORE_ANON_MSGS", (1, _("How many days we store messages from anonymous users"))),
         ("DAYS_TO_STORE_AUTH_MSGS", (365, _("How many days we store messages from authenticated users"))),
         ("DISABLED_COMMERCE", (getenv("DISABLED_COMMERCE", False), _("Disable buy functionality"))),
@@ -71,7 +70,6 @@ CONSTANCE_CONFIG_FIELDSETS = OrderedDict(
             "EMAIL_FROM",
         ),
         gettext_noop("Features Options"): (
-            "TELEGRAM_API_TOKEN",
             "DAYS_TO_STORE_ANON_MSGS",
             "DAYS_TO_STORE_AUTH_MSGS",
             "DISABLED_COMMERCE",
diff --git a/evibes/settings/extensions.py b/evibes/settings/extensions.py
index eed9c571..c3f74482 100644
--- a/evibes/settings/extensions.py
+++ b/evibes/settings/extensions.py
@@ -10,3 +10,5 @@ EXTENSIONS_MAX_UNIQUE_QUERY_ATTEMPTS = 500
 
 HEALTHCHECK_CELERY_RESULT_TIMEOUT = 5
 HEALTHCHECK_CELERY_QUEUE_TIMEOUT = 5
+
+TELEGRAM_TOKEN = getenv("TELEGRAM_TOKEN", "")  # noqa: F405