# How to accept Stars payments in your own bot

An XTR invoice, pre-checkout within 10 seconds, refunds, /paysupport and withdrawals.

https://shiba-bank.com/en/guides/stars-payments-in-bot

Updated 2026-10-02 · 3 min read

Digital goods and services in Telegram bots are sold for Stars. You don't need a payment provider for that: the bot issues a Stars invoice itself through the Bot API, and the Stars land on the bot's balance.

## Why Stars

Under Telegram's rules, digital goods and services in bots and mini apps are paid for only with Stars — app store rules require it too. Physical goods can be sold for money through payment providers.

## How to issue a Stars invoice

1. Call `sendInvoice` (an invoice in a chat) or `createInvoiceLink` (a payment link).
2. Set the currency to `XTR` — that's how the Bot API names Stars.
3. Leave `provider_token` as an empty string: Stars need no provider.
4. In `prices`, pass one item — the amount in Stars.

The user sees the invoice, confirms the payment, and the Stars are taken from their balance.

See also: [How to create a Telegram bot](https://shiba-bank.com/en/guides/create-telegram-bot).

## Required steps after payment

- **pre_checkout_query.** Before charging, Telegram sends the bot a query. You must answer `answerPreCheckoutQuery` within 10 seconds, or the payment is cancelled and the user sees the "bot precheckout timeout" error. Answer right away and do the heavy work after answering.
- **successful_payment.** After payment, a message with `telegram_payment_charge_id` arrives. Store it: you need it for a refund.
- **Delivery.** Deliver the goods only after `successful_payment`.

## Refunds, history and support

- **Refund** — the `refundStarPayment` method with `telegram_payment_charge_id`: the Stars go back to the buyer.
- **History** — the `getStarTransactions` method shows the bot's incoming payments and refunds.
- **/paysupport** — the bot must answer this command: it's how buyers ask about payments.

## Subscriptions and paid content

- **Subscription.** In `createInvoiceLink` you can set a subscription period — Stars are then charged every 30 days until the user cancels.
- **Paid photos and videos.** The `sendPaidMedia` method sends content that unlocks for Stars; how it looks to people is in [photos and videos for Stars](https://shiba-bank.com/en/guides/paid-media).

## How to withdraw a bot's Stars

Stars collect on the bot's balance, shown in the bot's profile: "Edit" → "Balance". They can be withdrawn through Fragment — from 1,000 Stars, and each one becomes available 21 days after it arrives. A bot's Stars can also pay for Telegram Ads at a discount — [Telegram Ads for Stars](https://shiba-bank.com/en/guides/telegram-ads-stars). Withdrawal step by step is in [how to withdraw Stars from a bot](https://shiba-bank.com/en/guides/withdraw-stars-from-bot).

> **Tip:** Need to send Stars or Premium to your users rather than accept Stars? The Shiba Bank bot's API does that — [the Telegram Stars API](https://shiba-bank.com/en/guides/telegram-stars-api).

[Everything inside Telegram — Open the app](https://t.me/barboskich_stars_bot?startapp=site_ai_en)

## FAQ

### How do I add Stars payments to a Telegram bot?
Issue an invoice with `sendInvoice` or `createInvoiceLink` in `XTR` with an empty `provider_token`, answer pre-checkout within 10 seconds and deliver after `successful_payment`.

### Do I need a payment provider for Stars?
No. For Stars, `provider_token` is an empty string.

### How do I refund Stars to a buyer?
With the `refundStarPayment` method and the `telegram_payment_charge_id` from the payment message.

### When can I withdraw a bot's Stars?
Through Fragment — from 1,000 Stars, each available 21 days after it arrives.