Extract Details from Receipts via Telegram with Tesseract and Llama

Tesseract - Money Mate Workflow Description  Disclaimer: This template requires the n8n-nodes-tesseractjs community node, which is only available on self-hosted n8n instances. You’ll need a self-hosted n8n setup to use this workflow.

Who is this for? This workflow is designed for individuals, freelancers, or small business owners who want an easy way to track expenses using Telegram. It’s ideal for anyone looking to digitize receipts—whether from photos or text messages—using free tools, without needing advanced technical skills.

What problem does this workflow solve? Manually entering receipt details into a spreadsheet or app is time-consuming and prone to mistakes. This workflow automates the process by extracting information from receipt images or text messages sent via Telegram, categorizing expenses, and sending back a clear, formatted summary. It saves time, reduces errors, and makes expense tracking effortless.

What this workflow does The workflow listens for messages sent to a Telegram bot, which can be either text descriptions of expenses or photos of receipts. If a photo is sent, Tesseract (an open-source text recognition tool) extracts the text. If text is sent, it’s processed directly. An AI model (LLaMA via OpenRouter) analyzes the input, categorizes it into expense types (e.g., Food & Beverages, Household, Transport), and creates a structured summary including store name, date, items, total, and category. The summary is then sent back to the user’s Telegram chat.

Setup Instructions Follow these step-by-step instructions to set up the workflow. No advanced technical knowledge is required, but you’ll need a self-hosted n8n instance.

1. Set Up a Self-Hosted [n8n Instance](https://n8n.partnerlinks.io/khaisastudio): - If you don’t have n8n installed, follow the [n8n self-hosting guide](https://docs.n8n.io/hosting/installation/self-hosting/) to set it up. You can use platforms like Docker or a cloud provider (e.g., DigitalOcean, AWS). - Ensure your n8n instance is running and accessible via a web browser.

2. Install the Tesseract Community Node: - In your n8n instance, go to Settings > Community Nodes in the sidebar. - Click Install a Community Node, then enter n8n-nodes-tesseractjs in the search bar. - Click Install and wait for confirmation. This node enables receipt image processing. - If you encounter issues, check the [n8n community nodes documentation](https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/community-nodes/) for troubleshooting.

3. Create a Telegram Bot: - Open Telegram and search for @BotFather to start a new bot. - Send /start to BotFather, then /newbot to create your bot. - Follow the prompts to name your bot (e.g., “MoneyMateBot”). - BotFather will provide a Bot Token (e.g., 23872837287:ExampleExampleExample). Copy this token. - In n8n, go to Credentials > Add Credential, select Telegram API, and paste the token. Name the credential (e.g., “MoneyMateBot”) and save.