> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://tg-token-gates.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://tg-token-gates.gitbook.io/docs/bot-setup/create-gated-chat-s.md).
# Create Gated Chat(s)
"Gated Chat(s)" are exclusive chats available only to members that meet your criteria.
In the step you will create & setup the private chat(s) you will be protecting with a gate.
### Step 1: Decide the type of private chat to gate.
Using the options below decide which type of chat(s) you are going to gate.
* **Group** – Great for communities where everyone can talk.
* **Channel** – Best for announcement-style feeds or alpha channels.
* **Channel & Discussion Group** – Best if you want both a discussion group alongside your channel.
**BEFORE we continue.... What did you select?**
### Step 2: Create the private chat(s) to gate
Before we create your gated chat(s)...
**IF** you chose **"Group"** or **"Channel"** you will only need to create one private chat..\
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**IF** you chose "**Channel & Discussion Group**" you will need to create BOTH a **Private Chanel** & **Private Group** and link them together.
1. Find the button for **"New Group"** or **"New Channel"** in your Telegram app. (Button locations differs from device to device)\
2. Give your chat(s) a **name** & click **next**.\
3. For a **"Group"** Select **"Create"**\
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For a **"Channel"** select **"Private Channel"** & **"Save"**\
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Then click **"Skip"**\
**ONLY IF** you chose **"Channel & Discussion Group"** repeat this step so you have **BOTH** a **"Private Channel"** and a **"Private Group"**\
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**Examples:**\
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**- My Private Group**\
**- My Private Channel**
### Chat Settings
Once you've created the chat(s) we need to make sure the settings are set to **"Private"**
Below are some of the basic settings we recommend for your chat.
To get to the settings you need to find the buttons for **"Manage Channel"** or **"Manage Group"** in your Telegram app.
Note: Button location & names may differ slightly from device to device.\
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Use these buttons to access your settings.
### Channel Recommendation
* Find **"Manage Channel" or "Edit"**.\
* Select **"Channel Type"** from the options.
* Select **Private channel**
* Never share **Invite links**
* Enable **“Restrict saving content”**
* **Click Save**
### ---
### Group Recommendations
#### Recommendation #1 - Privacy
* Go to **"Manage Group"**\
* Select **Private group**
* Never share **Invite links**
* Enable **“Restrict saving content”**
* Click **Save**
#### Recommendation #2 - Security
* Go to **"Manage Group"**\
* Select **"Permissions"** from the options.\
* Turn off user permissions for:
* **Add members**
* **Pin messages**
* **Edit your own tags**
* **Change group info**
* **Click Save**
### Step #3: Link "Discussion Group"
You only need to complete this step if you decided during Step #1 that you want to gate a **"Channel & Discussion Group"**
1. Go to **"Manage Channel"**\
2. Click **"Add a group"** from the channels **"Discussion"** option.\
3. Select your **"Discussion group"** from the list.\
4. Click **"Link Group"**\
