diff --git a/docs/providers/telegram.md b/docs/providers/telegram.md
index 9daf1b8c8..325b5c598 100644
--- a/docs/providers/telegram.md
+++ b/docs/providers/telegram.md
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ Private chats can include `message_thread_id` in some edge cases. Clawdbot keeps
   - `clawdbot pairing list telegram`
   - `clawdbot pairing approve telegram <CODE>`
 - Pairing is the default token exchange used for Telegram DMs. Details: [Pairing](/start/pairing)
-- `telegram.allowFrom` accepts numeric user IDs (recommended) or `@username` entries.
+- `telegram.allowFrom` accepts numeric user IDs (recommended) or `@username` entries. It is **not** the bot username; use the human sender’s ID (get it from `@userinfobot` or the `from.id` field in the gateway log).
 
 ### Group access
 
diff --git a/docs/start/faq.md b/docs/start/faq.md
index 66ba92764..7f8862fc3 100644
--- a/docs/start/faq.md
+++ b/docs/start/faq.md
@@ -132,6 +132,10 @@ Pick region-pinned endpoints. OpenRouter exposes US-hosted options for MiniMax,
 
 Bun is supported for faster TypeScript execution, but **WhatsApp requires Node** in this ecosystem. The wizard lets you pick the runtime; choose **Node** if you use WhatsApp.
 
+### Telegram: what goes in `allowFrom`?
+
+`telegram.allowFrom` is **the human sender’s Telegram user ID** (numeric, recommended) or `@username`. It is not the bot username. To find your ID, DM `@userinfobot` or read the `from.id` in the gateway log for a DM. See [/providers/telegram](/providers/telegram#access-control-dms--groups).
+
 ### Can multiple people use one WhatsApp number with different Clawdbots?
 
 Yes, via **multi‑agent routing**. Bind each sender’s WhatsApp **DM** (peer `kind: "dm"`, sender E.164 like `+15551234567`) to a different `agentId`, so each person gets their own workspace and session store. Replies still come from the **same WhatsApp account**, and DM access control (`whatsapp.dmPolicy` / `whatsapp.allowFrom`) is global per WhatsApp account. See [Multi-Agent Routing](/concepts/multi-agent) and [WhatsApp](/providers/whatsapp).