diff --git a/bot/telegram_bot.py b/bot/telegram_bot.py
index a8907345..0421ca2e 100644
--- a/bot/telegram_bot.py
+++ b/bot/telegram_bot.py
@@ -1,48 +1,30 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
+
+import asyncio
 import logging
 import os
-import itertools
-import asyncio
 
-import telegram
 from uuid import uuid4
-from telegram import constants, BotCommandScopeAllGroupChats
+from telegram import BotCommandScopeAllGroupChats, Update, constants
 from telegram import InlineKeyboardMarkup, InlineKeyboardButton, InlineQueryResultArticle
-from telegram import Message, MessageEntity, Update, InputTextMessageContent, BotCommand, ChatMember
+from telegram import InputTextMessageContent, BotCommand
 from telegram.error import RetryAfter, TimedOut
-from telegram.ext import ApplicationBuilder, ContextTypes, CommandHandler, MessageHandler, \
-    filters, InlineQueryHandler, CallbackQueryHandler, Application, CallbackContext
+from telegram.ext import ApplicationBuilder, CommandHandler, MessageHandler, \
+    filters, InlineQueryHandler, CallbackQueryHandler, Application, ContextTypes, CallbackContext
 
 from pydub import AudioSegment
+
+from utils import is_group_chat, get_thread_id, message_text, wrap_with_indicator, split_into_chunks, \
+    edit_message_with_retry, get_stream_cutoff_values, is_allowed, get_remaining_budget, is_admin, is_within_budget, \
+    get_reply_to_message_id, add_chat_request_to_usage_tracker, error_handler
 from openai_helper import OpenAIHelper, localized_text
 from usage_tracker import UsageTracker
 
 
-def message_text(message: Message) -> str:
-    """
-    Returns the text of a message, excluding any bot commands.
-    """
-    message_txt = message.text
-    if message_txt is None:
-        return ''
-
-    for _, text in sorted(message.parse_entities([MessageEntity.BOT_COMMAND]).items(),
-                          key=(lambda item: item[0].offset)):
-        message_txt = message_txt.replace(text, '').strip()
-
-    return message_txt if len(message_txt) > 0 else ''
-
-
 class ChatGPTTelegramBot:
     """
     Class representing a ChatGPT Telegram Bot.
     """
-    # Mapping of budget period to cost period
-    budget_cost_map = {
-        "monthly": "cost_month",
-        "daily": "cost_today",
-        "all-time": "cost_all_time"
-    }
 
     def __init__(self, config: dict, openai: OpenAIHelper):
         """
@@ -60,10 +42,9 @@ def __init__(self, config: dict, openai: OpenAIHelper):
             BotCommand(command='stats', description=localized_text('stats_description', bot_language)),
             BotCommand(command='resend', description=localized_text('resend_description', bot_language))
         ]
-        self.group_commands = [
-                                  BotCommand(command='chat',
-                                             description=localized_text('chat_description', bot_language))
-                              ] + self.commands
+        self.group_commands = [BotCommand(
+            command='chat', description=localized_text('chat_description', bot_language)
+        )] + self.commands
         self.disallowed_message = localized_text('disallowed', bot_language)
         self.budget_limit_message = localized_text('budget_limit', bot_language)
         self.usage = {}
@@ -74,7 +55,7 @@ async def help(self, update: Update, _: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE) -> None:
         """
         Shows the help menu.
         """
-        commands = self.group_commands if self.is_group_chat(update) else self.commands
+        commands = self.group_commands if is_group_chat(update) else self.commands
         commands_description = [f'/{command.command} - {command.description}' for command in commands]
         bot_language = self.config['bot_language']
         help_text = (
@@ -92,7 +73,7 @@ async def stats(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE):
         """
         Returns token usage statistics for current day and month.
         """
-        if not await self.is_allowed(update, context):
+        if not await is_allowed(self.config, update, context):
             logging.warning(f'User {update.message.from_user.name} (id: {update.message.from_user.id}) '
                             f'is not allowed to request their usage statistics')
             await self.send_disallowed_message(update, context)
@@ -113,7 +94,7 @@ async def stats(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE):
 
         chat_id = update.effective_chat.id
         chat_messages, chat_token_length = self.openai.get_conversation_stats(chat_id)
-        remaining_budget = self.get_remaining_budget(update)
+        remaining_budget = get_remaining_budget(self.config, self.usage, update)
         bot_language = self.config['bot_language']
         text_current_conversation = (
             f"*{localized_text('stats_conversation', bot_language)[0]}*:\n"
@@ -148,7 +129,7 @@ async def stats(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE):
                 f"${remaining_budget:.2f}.\n"
             )
         # add OpenAI account information for admin request
-        if self.is_admin(user_id):
+        if is_admin(self.config, user_id):
             text_budget += (
                 f"{localized_text('stats_openai', bot_language)}"
                 f"{self.openai.get_billing_current_month():.2f}"
@@ -161,7 +142,7 @@ async def resend(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE):
         """
         Resend the last request
         """
-        if not await self.is_allowed(update, context):
+        if not await is_allowed(self.config, update, context):
             logging.warning(f'User {update.message.from_user.name}  (id: {update.message.from_user.id})'
                             f' is not allowed to resend the message')
             await self.send_disallowed_message(update, context)
@@ -172,7 +153,7 @@ async def resend(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE):
             logging.warning(f'User {update.message.from_user.name} (id: {update.message.from_user.id})'
                             f' does not have anything to resend')
             await update.effective_message.reply_text(
-                message_thread_id=self.get_thread_id(update),
+                message_thread_id=get_thread_id(update),
                 text=localized_text('resend_failed', self.config['bot_language'])
             )
             return
@@ -189,7 +170,7 @@ async def reset(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE):
         """
         Resets the conversation.
         """
-        if not await self.is_allowed(update, context):
+        if not await is_allowed(self.config, update, context):
             logging.warning(f'User {update.message.from_user.name} (id: {update.message.from_user.id}) '
                             f'is not allowed to reset the conversation')
             await self.send_disallowed_message(update, context)
@@ -202,24 +183,23 @@ async def reset(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE):
         reset_content = message_text(update.message)
         self.openai.reset_chat_history(chat_id=chat_id, content=reset_content)
         await update.effective_message.reply_text(
-           message_thread_id=self.get_thread_id(update),
-           text=localized_text('reset_done', self.config['bot_language'])
+            message_thread_id=get_thread_id(update),
+            text=localized_text('reset_done', self.config['bot_language'])
         )
 
     async def image(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE):
         """
         Generates an image for the given prompt using DALL·E APIs
         """
-        if not self.config['enable_image_generation'] or not await self.check_allowed_and_within_budget(update,
-                                                                                                        context):
+        if not self.config['enable_image_generation'] \
+                or not await self.check_allowed_and_within_budget(update, context):
             return
 
-        chat_id = update.effective_chat.id
         image_query = message_text(update.message)
         if image_query == '':
             await update.effective_message.reply_text(
-               message_thread_id=self.get_thread_id(update),
-               text=localized_text('image_no_prompt', self.config['bot_language'])
+                message_thread_id=get_thread_id(update),
+                text=localized_text('image_no_prompt', self.config['bot_language'])
             )
             return
 
@@ -230,7 +210,7 @@ async def _generate():
             try:
                 image_url, image_size = await self.openai.generate_image(prompt=image_query)
                 await update.effective_message.reply_photo(
-                    reply_to_message_id=self.get_reply_to_message_id(update),
+                    reply_to_message_id=get_reply_to_message_id(self.config, update),
                     photo=image_url
                 )
                 # add image request to users usage tracker
@@ -243,13 +223,13 @@ async def _generate():
             except Exception as e:
                 logging.exception(e)
                 await update.effective_message.reply_text(
-                    message_thread_id=self.get_thread_id(update),
-                    reply_to_message_id=self.get_reply_to_message_id(update),
+                    message_thread_id=get_thread_id(update),
+                    reply_to_message_id=get_reply_to_message_id(self.config, update),
                     text=f"{localized_text('image_fail', self.config['bot_language'])}: {str(e)}",
                     parse_mode=constants.ParseMode.MARKDOWN
                 )
 
-        await self.wrap_with_indicator(update, context, _generate, constants.ChatAction.UPLOAD_PHOTO)
+        await wrap_with_indicator(update, context, _generate, constants.ChatAction.UPLOAD_PHOTO)
 
     async def transcribe(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE):
         """
@@ -258,7 +238,7 @@ async def transcribe(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE):
         if not self.config['enable_transcription'] or not await self.check_allowed_and_within_budget(update, context):
             return
 
-        if self.is_group_chat(update) and self.config['ignore_group_transcriptions']:
+        if is_group_chat(update) and self.config['ignore_group_transcriptions']:
             logging.info(f'Transcription coming from group chat, ignoring...')
             return
 
@@ -274,8 +254,8 @@ async def _execute():
             except Exception as e:
                 logging.exception(e)
                 await update.effective_message.reply_text(
-                    message_thread_id=self.get_thread_id(update),
-                    reply_to_message_id=self.get_reply_to_message_id(update),
+                    message_thread_id=get_thread_id(update),
+                    reply_to_message_id=get_reply_to_message_id(self.config, update),
                     text=(
                         f"{localized_text('media_download_fail', bot_language)[0]}: "
                         f"{str(e)}. {localized_text('media_download_fail', bot_language)[1]}"
@@ -284,7 +264,6 @@ async def _execute():
                 )
                 return
 
-            # detect and extract audio from the attachment with pydub
             try:
                 audio_track = AudioSegment.from_file(filename)
                 audio_track.export(filename_mp3, format="mp3")
@@ -294,8 +273,8 @@ async def _execute():
             except Exception as e:
                 logging.exception(e)
                 await update.effective_message.reply_text(
-                    message_thread_id=self.get_thread_id(update),
-                    reply_to_message_id=self.get_reply_to_message_id(update),
+                    message_thread_id=get_thread_id(update),
+                    reply_to_message_id=get_reply_to_message_id(self.config, update),
                     text=localized_text('media_type_fail', bot_language)
                 )
                 if os.path.exists(filename):
@@ -306,17 +285,12 @@ async def _execute():
             if user_id not in self.usage:
                 self.usage[user_id] = UsageTracker(user_id, update.message.from_user.name)
 
-            # send decoded audio to openai
             try:
-
-                # Transcribe the audio file
                 transcript = await self.openai.transcribe(filename_mp3)
 
-                # add transcription seconds to usage tracker
                 transcription_price = self.config['transcription_price']
                 self.usage[user_id].add_transcription_seconds(audio_track.duration_seconds, transcription_price)
 
-                # add guest chat request to guest usage tracker
                 allowed_user_ids = self.config['allowed_user_ids'].split(',')
                 if str(user_id) not in allowed_user_ids and 'guests' in self.usage:
                     self.usage["guests"].add_transcription_seconds(audio_track.duration_seconds, transcription_price)
@@ -329,12 +303,12 @@ async def _execute():
 
                     # Split into chunks of 4096 characters (Telegram's message limit)
                     transcript_output = f"_{localized_text('transcript', bot_language)}:_\n\"{transcript}\""
-                    chunks = self.split_into_chunks(transcript_output)
+                    chunks = split_into_chunks(transcript_output)
 
                     for index, transcript_chunk in enumerate(chunks):
                         await update.effective_message.reply_text(
-                            message_thread_id=self.get_thread_id(update),
-                            reply_to_message_id=self.get_reply_to_message_id(update) if index == 0 else None,
+                            message_thread_id=get_thread_id(update),
+                            reply_to_message_id=get_reply_to_message_id(self.config, update) if index == 0 else None,
                             text=transcript_chunk,
                             parse_mode=constants.ParseMode.MARKDOWN
                         )
@@ -342,9 +316,7 @@ async def _execute():
                     # Get the response of the transcript
                     response, total_tokens = await self.openai.get_chat_response(chat_id=chat_id, query=transcript)
 
-                    # add chat request to users usage tracker
                     self.usage[user_id].add_chat_tokens(total_tokens, self.config['token_price'])
-                    # add guest chat request to guest usage tracker
                     if str(user_id) not in allowed_user_ids and 'guests' in self.usage:
                         self.usage["guests"].add_chat_tokens(total_tokens, self.config['token_price'])
 
@@ -353,12 +325,12 @@ async def _execute():
                         f"_{localized_text('transcript', bot_language)}:_\n\"{transcript}\"\n\n"
                         f"_{localized_text('answer', bot_language)}:_\n{response}"
                     )
-                    chunks = self.split_into_chunks(transcript_output)
+                    chunks = split_into_chunks(transcript_output)
 
                     for index, transcript_chunk in enumerate(chunks):
                         await update.effective_message.reply_text(
-                            message_thread_id=self.get_thread_id(update),
-                            reply_to_message_id=self.get_reply_to_message_id(update) if index == 0 else None,
+                            message_thread_id=get_thread_id(update),
+                            reply_to_message_id=get_reply_to_message_id(self.config, update) if index == 0 else None,
                             text=transcript_chunk,
                             parse_mode=constants.ParseMode.MARKDOWN
                         )
@@ -366,19 +338,18 @@ async def _execute():
             except Exception as e:
                 logging.exception(e)
                 await update.effective_message.reply_text(
-                    message_thread_id=self.get_thread_id(update),
-                    reply_to_message_id=self.get_reply_to_message_id(update),
+                    message_thread_id=get_thread_id(update),
+                    reply_to_message_id=get_reply_to_message_id(self.config, update),
                     text=f"{localized_text('transcribe_fail', bot_language)}: {str(e)}",
                     parse_mode=constants.ParseMode.MARKDOWN
                 )
             finally:
-                # Cleanup files
                 if os.path.exists(filename_mp3):
                     os.remove(filename_mp3)
                 if os.path.exists(filename):
                     os.remove(filename)
 
-        await self.wrap_with_indicator(update, context, _execute, constants.ChatAction.TYPING)
+        await wrap_with_indicator(update, context, _execute, constants.ChatAction.TYPING)
 
     async def prompt(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE):
         """
@@ -397,7 +368,7 @@ async def prompt(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE):
         prompt = message_text(update.message)
         self.last_message[chat_id] = prompt
 
-        if self.is_group_chat(update):
+        if is_group_chat(update):
             trigger_keyword = self.config['group_trigger_keyword']
             if prompt.lower().startswith(trigger_keyword.lower()):
                 prompt = prompt[len(trigger_keyword):].strip()
@@ -405,10 +376,7 @@ async def prompt(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE):
                 if update.message.reply_to_message and \
                         update.message.reply_to_message.text and \
                         update.message.reply_to_message.from_user.id != context.bot.id:
-                    prompt = '"{reply}" {prompt}'.format(
-                        reply=update.message.reply_to_message.text,
-                        prompt=prompt
-                    )
+                    prompt = f'"{update.message.reply_to_message.text}" {prompt}'
             else:
                 if update.message.reply_to_message and update.message.reply_to_message.from_user.id == context.bot.id:
                     logging.info('Message is a reply to the bot, allowing...')
@@ -422,7 +390,7 @@ async def prompt(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE):
             if self.config['stream']:
                 await update.effective_message.reply_chat_action(
                     action=constants.ChatAction.TYPING,
-                    message_thread_id=self.get_thread_id(update)
+                    message_thread_id=get_thread_id(update)
                 )
 
                 stream_response = self.openai.get_chat_response_stream(chat_id=chat_id, query=prompt)
@@ -436,26 +404,26 @@ async def prompt(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE):
                     if len(content.strip()) == 0:
                         continue
 
-                    stream_chunks = self.split_into_chunks(content)
+                    stream_chunks = split_into_chunks(content)
                     if len(stream_chunks) > 1:
                         content = stream_chunks[-1]
                         if stream_chunk != len(stream_chunks) - 1:
                             stream_chunk += 1
                             try:
-                                await self.edit_message_with_retry(context, chat_id, str(sent_message.message_id),
-                                                                   stream_chunks[-2])
+                                await edit_message_with_retry(context, chat_id, str(sent_message.message_id),
+                                                              stream_chunks[-2])
                             except:
                                 pass
                             try:
                                 sent_message = await update.effective_message.reply_text(
-                                    message_thread_id=self.get_thread_id(update),
+                                    message_thread_id=get_thread_id(update),
                                     text=content if len(content) > 0 else "..."
                                 )
                             except:
                                 pass
                             continue
 
-                    cutoff = self.get_stream_cutoff_values(update, content)
+                    cutoff = get_stream_cutoff_values(update, content)
                     cutoff += backoff
 
                     if i == 0:
@@ -464,8 +432,8 @@ async def prompt(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE):
                                 await context.bot.delete_message(chat_id=sent_message.chat_id,
                                                                  message_id=sent_message.message_id)
                             sent_message = await update.effective_message.reply_text(
-                                message_thread_id=self.get_thread_id(update),
-                                reply_to_message_id=self.get_reply_to_message_id(update),
+                                message_thread_id=get_thread_id(update),
+                                reply_to_message_id=get_reply_to_message_id(self.config, update),
                                 text=content
                             )
                         except:
@@ -476,8 +444,8 @@ async def prompt(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE):
 
                         try:
                             use_markdown = tokens != 'not_finished'
-                            await self.edit_message_with_retry(context, chat_id, str(sent_message.message_id),
-                                                               text=content, markdown=use_markdown)
+                            await edit_message_with_retry(context, chat_id, str(sent_message.message_id),
+                                                          text=content, markdown=use_markdown)
 
                         except RetryAfter as e:
                             backoff += 5
@@ -505,35 +473,37 @@ async def _reply():
                     response, total_tokens = await self.openai.get_chat_response(chat_id=chat_id, query=prompt)
 
                     # Split into chunks of 4096 characters (Telegram's message limit)
-                    chunks = self.split_into_chunks(response)
+                    chunks = split_into_chunks(response)
 
                     for index, chunk in enumerate(chunks):
                         try:
                             await update.effective_message.reply_text(
-                                message_thread_id=self.get_thread_id(update),
-                                reply_to_message_id=self.get_reply_to_message_id(update) if index == 0 else None,
+                                message_thread_id=get_thread_id(update),
+                                reply_to_message_id=get_reply_to_message_id(self.config,
+                                                                            update) if index == 0 else None,
                                 text=chunk,
                                 parse_mode=constants.ParseMode.MARKDOWN
                             )
                         except Exception:
                             try:
                                 await update.effective_message.reply_text(
-                                    message_thread_id=self.get_thread_id(update),
-                                    reply_to_message_id=self.get_reply_to_message_id(update) if index == 0 else None,
+                                    message_thread_id=get_thread_id(update),
+                                    reply_to_message_id=get_reply_to_message_id(self.config,
+                                                                                update) if index == 0 else None,
                                     text=chunk
                                 )
                             except Exception as exception:
                                 raise exception
 
-                await self.wrap_with_indicator(update, context, _reply, constants.ChatAction.TYPING)
+                await wrap_with_indicator(update, context, _reply, constants.ChatAction.TYPING)
 
-            self.add_chat_request_to_usage_tracker(user_id, total_tokens)
+            add_chat_request_to_usage_tracker(self.usage, self.config, user_id, total_tokens)
 
         except Exception as e:
             logging.exception(e)
             await update.effective_message.reply_text(
-                message_thread_id=self.get_thread_id(update),
-                reply_to_message_id=self.get_reply_to_message_id(update),
+                message_thread_id=get_thread_id(update),
+                reply_to_message_id=get_reply_to_message_id(self.config, update),
                 text=f"{localized_text('chat_fail', self.config['bot_language'])} {str(e)}",
                 parse_mode=constants.ParseMode.MARKDOWN
             )
@@ -556,6 +526,9 @@ async def inline_query(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE)
         await self.send_inline_query_result(update, result_id, message_content=query, callback_data=callback_data)
 
     async def send_inline_query_result(self, update: Update, result_id, message_content, callback_data=""):
+        """
+        Send inline query result
+        """
         try:
             reply_markup = None
             bot_language = self.config['bot_language']
@@ -580,6 +553,9 @@ async def send_inline_query_result(self, update: Update, result_id, message_cont
             logging.error(f'An error occurred while generating the result card for inline query {e}')
 
     async def handle_callback_inline_query(self, update: Update, context: CallbackContext):
+        """
+        Handle the callback query from the inline query result
+        """
         callback_data = update.callback_query.data
         user_id = update.callback_query.from_user.id
         inline_message_id = update.callback_query.inline_message_id
@@ -604,9 +580,9 @@ async def handle_callback_inline_query(self, update: Update, context: CallbackCo
                         f'{localized_text("error", bot_language)}. '
                         f'{localized_text("try_again", bot_language)}'
                     )
-                    await self.edit_message_with_retry(context, chat_id=None, message_id=inline_message_id,
-                                                       text=f'{query}\n\n_{answer_tr}:_\n{error_message}',
-                                                       is_inline=True)
+                    await edit_message_with_retry(context, chat_id=None, message_id=inline_message_id,
+                                                  text=f'{query}\n\n_{answer_tr}:_\n{error_message}',
+                                                  is_inline=True)
                     return
 
                 if self.config['stream']:
@@ -619,16 +595,16 @@ async def handle_callback_inline_query(self, update: Update, context: CallbackCo
                         if len(content.strip()) == 0:
                             continue
 
-                        cutoff = self.get_stream_cutoff_values(update, content)
+                        cutoff = get_stream_cutoff_values(update, content)
                         cutoff += backoff
 
                         if i == 0:
                             try:
                                 if sent_message is not None:
-                                    await self.edit_message_with_retry(context, chat_id=None,
-                                                                       message_id=inline_message_id,
-                                                                       text=f'{query}\n\n{answer_tr}:\n{content}',
-                                                                       is_inline=True)
+                                    await edit_message_with_retry(context, chat_id=None,
+                                                                  message_id=inline_message_id,
+                                                                  text=f'{query}\n\n{answer_tr}:\n{content}',
+                                                                  is_inline=True)
                             except:
                                 continue
 
@@ -642,8 +618,8 @@ async def handle_callback_inline_query(self, update: Update, context: CallbackCo
                                 # We only want to send the first 4096 characters. No chunking allowed in inline mode.
                                 text = text[:4096]
 
-                                await self.edit_message_with_retry(context, chat_id=None, message_id=inline_message_id,
-                                                                   text=text, markdown=use_markdown, is_inline=True)
+                                await edit_message_with_retry(context, chat_id=None, message_id=inline_message_id,
+                                                              text=text, markdown=use_markdown, is_inline=True)
 
                             except RetryAfter as e:
                                 backoff += 5
@@ -680,83 +656,52 @@ async def _send_inline_query_response():
                         text_content = text_content[:4096]
 
                         # Edit the original message with the generated content
-                        await self.edit_message_with_retry(context, chat_id=None, message_id=inline_message_id,
-                                                           text=text_content, is_inline=True)
+                        await edit_message_with_retry(context, chat_id=None, message_id=inline_message_id,
+                                                      text=text_content, is_inline=True)
 
-                    await self.wrap_with_indicator(update, context, _send_inline_query_response,
-                                                   constants.ChatAction.TYPING, is_inline=True)
+                    await wrap_with_indicator(update, context, _send_inline_query_response,
+                                              constants.ChatAction.TYPING, is_inline=True)
 
-                self.add_chat_request_to_usage_tracker(user_id, total_tokens)
+                add_chat_request_to_usage_tracker(self.usage, self.config, user_id, total_tokens)
 
         except Exception as e:
             logging.error(f'Failed to respond to an inline query via button callback: {e}')
             logging.exception(e)
             localized_answer = localized_text('chat_fail', self.config['bot_language'])
-            await self.edit_message_with_retry(context, chat_id=None, message_id=inline_message_id,
-                                               text=f"{query}\n\n_{answer_tr}:_\n{localized_answer} {str(e)}",
-                                               is_inline=True)
+            await edit_message_with_retry(context, chat_id=None, message_id=inline_message_id,
+                                          text=f"{query}\n\n_{answer_tr}:_\n{localized_answer} {str(e)}",
+                                          is_inline=True)
 
-    async def edit_message_with_retry(self, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE, chat_id: int | None,
-                                      message_id: str, text: str, markdown: bool = True, is_inline: bool = False):
+    async def check_allowed_and_within_budget(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE,
+                                              is_inline=False) -> bool:
         """
-        Edit a message with retry logic in case of failure (e.g. broken markdown)
-        :param context: The context to use
-        :param chat_id: The chat id to edit the message in
-        :param message_id: The message id to edit
-        :param text: The text to edit the message with
-        :param markdown: Whether to use markdown parse mode
-        :param is_inline: Whether the message to edit is an inline message
-        :return: None
+        Checks if the user is allowed to use the bot and if they are within their budget
+        :param update: Telegram update object
+        :param context: Telegram context object
+        :param is_inline: Boolean flag for inline queries
+        :return: Boolean indicating if the user is allowed to use the bot
         """
-        try:
-            await context.bot.edit_message_text(
-                chat_id=chat_id,
-                message_id=int(message_id) if not is_inline else None,
-                inline_message_id=message_id if is_inline else None,
-                text=text,
-                parse_mode=constants.ParseMode.MARKDOWN if markdown else None
-            )
-        except telegram.error.BadRequest as e:
-            if str(e).startswith("Message is not modified"):
-                return
-            try:
-                await context.bot.edit_message_text(
-                    chat_id=chat_id,
-                    message_id=int(message_id) if not is_inline else None,
-                    inline_message_id=message_id if is_inline else None,
-                    text=text
-                )
-            except Exception as e:
-                logging.warning(f'Failed to edit message: {str(e)}')
-                raise e
+        name = update.inline_query.from_user.name if is_inline else update.message.from_user.name
+        user_id = update.inline_query.from_user.id if is_inline else update.message.from_user.id
 
-        except Exception as e:
-            logging.warning(str(e))
-            raise e
+        if not await is_allowed(self.config, update, context, is_inline=is_inline):
+            logging.warning(f'User {name} (id: {user_id}) is not allowed to use the bot')
+            await self.send_disallowed_message(update, context, is_inline)
+            return False
+        if not is_within_budget(self.config, self.usage, update, is_inline=is_inline):
+            logging.warning(f'User {name} (id: {user_id}) reached their usage limit')
+            await self.send_budget_reached_message(update, context, is_inline)
+            return False
 
-    async def wrap_with_indicator(self, update: Update, context: CallbackContext, coroutine,
-                                  chat_action: constants.ChatAction = "", is_inline=False):
-        """
-        Wraps a coroutine while repeatedly sending a chat action to the user.
-        """
-        task = context.application.create_task(coroutine(), update=update)
-        while not task.done():
-            if not is_inline:
-                context.application.create_task(
-                    update.effective_chat.send_action(chat_action, message_thread_id=self.get_thread_id(update))
-                )
-            try:
-                await asyncio.wait_for(asyncio.shield(task), 4.5)
-            except asyncio.TimeoutError:
-                pass
+        return True
 
-    async def send_disallowed_message(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE, is_inline=False):
+    async def send_disallowed_message(self, update: Update, _: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE, is_inline=False):
         """
         Sends the disallowed message to the user.
         """
         if not is_inline:
             await update.effective_message.reply_text(
-                message_thread_id=self.get_thread_id(update),
+                message_thread_id=get_thread_id(update),
                 text=self.disallowed_message,
                 disable_web_page_preview=True
             )
@@ -764,240 +709,19 @@ async def send_disallowed_message(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DE
             result_id = str(uuid4())
             await self.send_inline_query_result(update, result_id, message_content=self.disallowed_message)
 
-    async def send_budget_reached_message(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE, is_inline=False):
+    async def send_budget_reached_message(self, update: Update, _: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE, is_inline=False):
         """
         Sends the budget reached message to the user.
         """
         if not is_inline:
             await update.effective_message.reply_text(
-                message_thread_id=self.get_thread_id(update),
+                message_thread_id=get_thread_id(update),
                 text=self.budget_limit_message
             )
         else:
             result_id = str(uuid4())
             await self.send_inline_query_result(update, result_id, message_content=self.budget_limit_message)
 
-    async def error_handler(self, update: object, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE) -> None:
-        """
-        Handles errors in the telegram-python-bot library.
-        """
-        logging.error(f'Exception while handling an update: {context.error}')
-
-    def get_thread_id(self, update: Update) -> int | None:
-        """
-        Gets the message thread id for the update, if any
-        """
-        if update.effective_message and update.effective_message.is_topic_message:
-            return update.effective_message.message_thread_id
-        return None
-
-    def get_stream_cutoff_values(self, update: Update, content: str) -> int:
-        """
-        Gets the stream cutoff values for the message length
-        """
-        if self.is_group_chat(update):
-            # group chats have stricter flood limits
-            return 180 if len(content) > 1000 else 120 if len(content) > 200 else 90 if len(
-                content) > 50 else 50
-        else:
-            return 90 if len(content) > 1000 else 45 if len(content) > 200 else 25 if len(
-                content) > 50 else 15
-
-    def is_group_chat(self, update: Update) -> bool:
-        """
-        Checks if the message was sent from a group chat
-        """
-        if not update.effective_chat:
-            return False
-        return update.effective_chat.type in [
-            constants.ChatType.GROUP,
-            constants.ChatType.SUPERGROUP
-        ]
-
-    async def is_user_in_group(self, update: Update, context: CallbackContext, user_id: int) -> bool:
-        """
-        Checks if user_id is a member of the group
-        """
-        try:
-            chat_member = await context.bot.get_chat_member(update.message.chat_id, user_id)
-            return chat_member.status in [ChatMember.OWNER, ChatMember.ADMINISTRATOR, ChatMember.MEMBER]
-        except telegram.error.BadRequest as e:
-            if str(e) == "User not found":
-                return False
-            else:
-                raise e
-        except Exception as e:
-            raise e
-
-    async def is_allowed(self, update: Update, context: CallbackContext, is_inline=False) -> bool:
-        """
-        Checks if the user is allowed to use the bot.
-        """
-        if self.config['allowed_user_ids'] == '*':
-            return True
-
-        user_id = update.inline_query.from_user.id if is_inline else update.message.from_user.id
-        if self.is_admin(user_id):
-            return True
-        name = update.inline_query.from_user.name if is_inline else update.message.from_user.name
-        allowed_user_ids = self.config['allowed_user_ids'].split(',')
-        # Check if user is allowed
-        if str(user_id) in allowed_user_ids:
-            return True
-        # Check if it's a group a chat with at least one authorized member
-        if not is_inline and self.is_group_chat(update):
-            admin_user_ids = self.config['admin_user_ids'].split(',')
-            for user in itertools.chain(allowed_user_ids, admin_user_ids):
-                if not user.strip():
-                    continue
-                if await self.is_user_in_group(update, context, user):
-                    logging.info(f'{user} is a member. Allowing group chat message...')
-                    return True
-            logging.info(f'Group chat messages from user {name} '
-                         f'(id: {user_id}) are not allowed')
-        return False
-
-    def is_admin(self, user_id: int, log_no_admin=False) -> bool:
-        """
-        Checks if the user is the admin of the bot.
-        The first user in the user list is the admin.
-        """
-        if self.config['admin_user_ids'] == '-':
-            if log_no_admin:
-                logging.info('No admin user defined.')
-            return False
-
-        admin_user_ids = self.config['admin_user_ids'].split(',')
-
-        # Check if user is in the admin user list
-        if str(user_id) in admin_user_ids:
-            return True
-
-        return False
-
-    def get_user_budget(self, user_id) -> float | None:
-        """
-        Get the user's budget based on their user ID and the bot configuration.
-        :param user_id: User id
-        :return: The user's budget as a float, or None if the user is not found in the allowed user list
-        """
-
-        # no budget restrictions for admins and '*'-budget lists
-        if self.is_admin(user_id) or self.config['user_budgets'] == '*':
-            return float('inf')
-
-        user_budgets = self.config['user_budgets'].split(',')
-        if self.config['allowed_user_ids'] == '*':
-            # same budget for all users, use value in first position of budget list
-            if len(user_budgets) > 1:
-                logging.warning('multiple values for budgets set with unrestricted user list '
-                                'only the first value is used as budget for everyone.')
-            return float(user_budgets[0])
-
-        allowed_user_ids = self.config['allowed_user_ids'].split(',')
-        if str(user_id) in allowed_user_ids:
-            user_index = allowed_user_ids.index(str(user_id))
-            if len(user_budgets) <= user_index:
-                logging.warning(f'No budget set for user id: {user_id}. Budget list shorter than user list.')
-                return 0.0
-            return float(user_budgets[user_index])
-        return None
-
-    def get_remaining_budget(self, update: Update, is_inline=False) -> float:
-        """
-        Calculate the remaining budget for a user based on their current usage.
-        :param update: Telegram update object
-        :param is_inline: Boolean flag for inline queries
-        :return: The remaining budget for the user as a float
-        """
-        user_id = update.inline_query.from_user.id if is_inline else update.message.from_user.id
-        name = update.inline_query.from_user.name if is_inline else update.message.from_user.name
-        if user_id not in self.usage:
-            self.usage[user_id] = UsageTracker(user_id, name)
-
-        # Get budget for users
-        user_budget = self.get_user_budget(user_id)
-        budget_period = self.config['budget_period']
-        if user_budget is not None:
-            cost = self.usage[user_id].get_current_cost()[self.budget_cost_map[budget_period]]
-            return user_budget - cost
-
-        # Get budget for guests
-        if 'guests' not in self.usage:
-            self.usage['guests'] = UsageTracker('guests', 'all guest users in group chats')
-        cost = self.usage['guests'].get_current_cost()[self.budget_cost_map[budget_period]]
-        return self.config['guest_budget'] - cost
-
-    def is_within_budget(self, update: Update, is_inline=False) -> bool:
-        """
-        Checks if the user reached their usage limit.
-        Initializes UsageTracker for user and guest when needed.
-        :param update: Telegram update object
-        :param is_inline: Boolean flag for inline queries
-        :return: Boolean indicating if the user has a positive budget
-        """
-        user_id = update.inline_query.from_user.id if is_inline else update.message.from_user.id
-        name = update.inline_query.from_user.name if is_inline else update.message.from_user.name
-        if user_id not in self.usage:
-            self.usage[user_id] = UsageTracker(user_id, name)
-
-        remaining_budget = self.get_remaining_budget(update, is_inline=is_inline)
-
-        return remaining_budget > 0
-
-    async def check_allowed_and_within_budget(self, update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE,
-                                              is_inline=False) -> bool:
-        """
-        Checks if the user is allowed to use the bot and if they are within their budget
-        :param update: Telegram update object
-        :param context: Telegram context object
-        :param is_inline: Boolean flag for inline queries
-        :return: Boolean indicating if the user is allowed to use the bot
-        """
-        name = update.inline_query.from_user.name if is_inline else update.message.from_user.name
-        user_id = update.inline_query.from_user.id if is_inline else update.message.from_user.id
-
-        if not await self.is_allowed(update, context, is_inline=is_inline):
-            logging.warning(f'User {name} (id: {user_id}) '
-                            f'is not allowed to use the bot')
-            await self.send_disallowed_message(update, context, is_inline)
-            return False
-        if not self.is_within_budget(update, is_inline=is_inline):
-            logging.warning(f'User {name} (id: {user_id}) '
-                            f'reached their usage limit')
-            await self.send_budget_reached_message(update, context, is_inline)
-            return False
-
-        return True
-
-    def add_chat_request_to_usage_tracker(self, user_id, used_tokens):
-        try:
-            # add chat request to users usage tracker
-            self.usage[user_id].add_chat_tokens(used_tokens, self.config['token_price'])
-            # add guest chat request to guest usage tracker
-            allowed_user_ids = self.config['allowed_user_ids'].split(',')
-            if str(user_id) not in allowed_user_ids and 'guests' in self.usage:
-                self.usage["guests"].add_chat_tokens(used_tokens, self.config['token_price'])
-        except Exception as e:
-            logging.warning(f'Failed to add tokens to usage_logs: {str(e)}')
-            pass
-
-    def get_reply_to_message_id(self, update: Update):
-        """
-        Returns the message id of the message to reply to
-        :param update: Telegram update object
-        :return: Message id of the message to reply to, or None if quoting is disabled
-        """
-        if self.config['enable_quoting'] or self.is_group_chat(update):
-            return update.message.message_id
-        return None
-
-    def split_into_chunks(self, text: str, chunk_size: int = 4096) -> list[str]:
-        """
-        Splits a string into chunks of a given size.
-        """
-        return [text[i:i + chunk_size] for i in range(0, len(text), chunk_size)]
-
     async def post_init(self, application: Application) -> None:
         """
         Post initialization hook for the bot.
@@ -1036,6 +760,6 @@ def run(self):
         ]))
         application.add_handler(CallbackQueryHandler(self.handle_callback_inline_query))
 
-        application.add_error_handler(self.error_handler)
+        application.add_error_handler(error_handler)
 
         application.run_polling()
diff --git a/bot/usage_tracker.py b/bot/usage_tracker.py
index 0131a5ac..c733f9eb 100644
--- a/bot/usage_tracker.py
+++ b/bot/usage_tracker.py
@@ -175,6 +175,9 @@ def add_transcription_seconds(self, seconds, minute_price=0.006):
             json.dump(self.usage, outfile)
 
     def add_current_costs(self, request_cost):
+        """
+        Add current cost to all_time, day and month cost and update last_update date.
+        """
         today = date.today()
         last_update = date.fromisoformat(self.usage["current_cost"]["last_update"])
 
diff --git a/bot/utils.py b/bot/utils.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..04c46a3e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bot/utils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,307 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import asyncio
+import itertools
+import logging
+
+import telegram
+from telegram import Message, MessageEntity, Update, ChatMember, constants
+from telegram.ext import CallbackContext, ContextTypes
+
+from usage_tracker import UsageTracker
+
+
+def message_text(message: Message) -> str:
+    """
+    Returns the text of a message, excluding any bot commands.
+    """
+    message_txt = message.text
+    if message_txt is None:
+        return ''
+
+    for _, text in sorted(message.parse_entities([MessageEntity.BOT_COMMAND]).items(),
+                          key=(lambda item: item[0].offset)):
+        message_txt = message_txt.replace(text, '').strip()
+
+    return message_txt if len(message_txt) > 0 else ''
+
+
+async def is_user_in_group(update: Update, context: CallbackContext, user_id: int) -> bool:
+    """
+    Checks if user_id is a member of the group
+    """
+    try:
+        chat_member = await context.bot.get_chat_member(update.message.chat_id, user_id)
+        return chat_member.status in [ChatMember.OWNER, ChatMember.ADMINISTRATOR, ChatMember.MEMBER]
+    except telegram.error.BadRequest as e:
+        if str(e) == "User not found":
+            return False
+        else:
+            raise e
+    except Exception as e:
+        raise e
+
+
+def get_thread_id(update: Update) -> int | None:
+    """
+    Gets the message thread id for the update, if any
+    """
+    if update.effective_message and update.effective_message.is_topic_message:
+        return update.effective_message.message_thread_id
+    return None
+
+
+def get_stream_cutoff_values(update: Update, content: str) -> int:
+    """
+    Gets the stream cutoff values for the message length
+    """
+    if is_group_chat(update):
+        # group chats have stricter flood limits
+        return 180 if len(content) > 1000 else 120 if len(content) > 200 \
+            else 90 if len(content) > 50 else 50
+    return 90 if len(content) > 1000 else 45 if len(content) > 200 \
+        else 25 if len(content) > 50 else 15
+
+
+def is_group_chat(update: Update) -> bool:
+    """
+    Checks if the message was sent from a group chat
+    """
+    if not update.effective_chat:
+        return False
+    return update.effective_chat.type in [
+        constants.ChatType.GROUP,
+        constants.ChatType.SUPERGROUP
+    ]
+
+
+def split_into_chunks(text: str, chunk_size: int = 4096) -> list[str]:
+    """
+    Splits a string into chunks of a given size.
+    """
+    return [text[i:i + chunk_size] for i in range(0, len(text), chunk_size)]
+
+
+async def wrap_with_indicator(update: Update, context: CallbackContext, coroutine,
+                              chat_action: constants.ChatAction = "", is_inline=False):
+    """
+    Wraps a coroutine while repeatedly sending a chat action to the user.
+    """
+    task = context.application.create_task(coroutine(), update=update)
+    while not task.done():
+        if not is_inline:
+            context.application.create_task(
+                update.effective_chat.send_action(chat_action, message_thread_id=get_thread_id(update))
+            )
+        try:
+            await asyncio.wait_for(asyncio.shield(task), 4.5)
+        except asyncio.TimeoutError:
+            pass
+
+
+async def edit_message_with_retry(context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE, chat_id: int | None,
+                                  message_id: str, text: str, markdown: bool = True, is_inline: bool = False):
+    """
+    Edit a message with retry logic in case of failure (e.g. broken markdown)
+    :param context: The context to use
+    :param chat_id: The chat id to edit the message in
+    :param message_id: The message id to edit
+    :param text: The text to edit the message with
+    :param markdown: Whether to use markdown parse mode
+    :param is_inline: Whether the message to edit is an inline message
+    :return: None
+    """
+    try:
+        await context.bot.edit_message_text(
+            chat_id=chat_id,
+            message_id=int(message_id) if not is_inline else None,
+            inline_message_id=message_id if is_inline else None,
+            text=text,
+            parse_mode=constants.ParseMode.MARKDOWN if markdown else None
+        )
+    except telegram.error.BadRequest as e:
+        if str(e).startswith("Message is not modified"):
+            return
+        try:
+            await context.bot.edit_message_text(
+                chat_id=chat_id,
+                message_id=int(message_id) if not is_inline else None,
+                inline_message_id=message_id if is_inline else None,
+                text=text
+            )
+        except Exception as e:
+            logging.warning(f'Failed to edit message: {str(e)}')
+            raise e
+
+    except Exception as e:
+        logging.warning(str(e))
+        raise e
+
+
+async def error_handler(_: object, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE) -> None:
+    """
+    Handles errors in the telegram-python-bot library.
+    """
+    logging.error(f'Exception while handling an update: {context.error}')
+
+
+async def is_allowed(config, update: Update, context: CallbackContext, is_inline=False) -> bool:
+    """
+    Checks if the user is allowed to use the bot.
+    """
+    if config['allowed_user_ids'] == '*':
+        return True
+
+    user_id = update.inline_query.from_user.id if is_inline else update.message.from_user.id
+    if is_admin(config, user_id):
+        return True
+    name = update.inline_query.from_user.name if is_inline else update.message.from_user.name
+    allowed_user_ids = config['allowed_user_ids'].split(',')
+    # Check if user is allowed
+    if str(user_id) in allowed_user_ids:
+        return True
+    # Check if it's a group a chat with at least one authorized member
+    if not is_inline and is_group_chat(update):
+        admin_user_ids = config['admin_user_ids'].split(',')
+        for user in itertools.chain(allowed_user_ids, admin_user_ids):
+            if not user.strip():
+                continue
+            if await is_user_in_group(update, context, user):
+                logging.info(f'{user} is a member. Allowing group chat message...')
+                return True
+        logging.info(f'Group chat messages from user {name} '
+                     f'(id: {user_id}) are not allowed')
+    return False
+
+def is_admin(config, user_id: int, log_no_admin=False) -> bool:
+    """
+    Checks if the user is the admin of the bot.
+    The first user in the user list is the admin.
+    """
+    if config['admin_user_ids'] == '-':
+        if log_no_admin:
+            logging.info('No admin user defined.')
+        return False
+
+    admin_user_ids = config['admin_user_ids'].split(',')
+
+    # Check if user is in the admin user list
+    if str(user_id) in admin_user_ids:
+        return True
+
+    return False
+
+
+def get_user_budget(config, user_id) -> float | None:
+    """
+    Get the user's budget based on their user ID and the bot configuration.
+    :param config: The bot configuration object
+    :param user_id: User id
+    :return: The user's budget as a float, or None if the user is not found in the allowed user list
+    """
+
+    # no budget restrictions for admins and '*'-budget lists
+    if is_admin(config, user_id) or config['user_budgets'] == '*':
+        return float('inf')
+
+    user_budgets = config['user_budgets'].split(',')
+    if config['allowed_user_ids'] == '*':
+        # same budget for all users, use value in first position of budget list
+        if len(user_budgets) > 1:
+            logging.warning('multiple values for budgets set with unrestricted user list '
+                            'only the first value is used as budget for everyone.')
+        return float(user_budgets[0])
+
+    allowed_user_ids = config['allowed_user_ids'].split(',')
+    if str(user_id) in allowed_user_ids:
+        user_index = allowed_user_ids.index(str(user_id))
+        if len(user_budgets) <= user_index:
+            logging.warning(f'No budget set for user id: {user_id}. Budget list shorter than user list.')
+            return 0.0
+        return float(user_budgets[user_index])
+    return None
+
+
+def get_remaining_budget(config, usage, update: Update, is_inline=False) -> float:
+    """
+    Calculate the remaining budget for a user based on their current usage.
+    :param config: The bot configuration object
+    :param usage: The usage tracker object
+    :param update: Telegram update object
+    :param is_inline: Boolean flag for inline queries
+    :return: The remaining budget for the user as a float
+    """
+    # Mapping of budget period to cost period
+    budget_cost_map = {
+        "monthly": "cost_month",
+        "daily": "cost_today",
+        "all-time": "cost_all_time"
+    }
+
+    user_id = update.inline_query.from_user.id if is_inline else update.message.from_user.id
+    name = update.inline_query.from_user.name if is_inline else update.message.from_user.name
+    if user_id not in usage:
+        usage[user_id] = UsageTracker(user_id, name)
+
+    # Get budget for users
+    user_budget = get_user_budget(config, user_id)
+    budget_period = config['budget_period']
+    if user_budget is not None:
+        cost = usage[user_id].get_current_cost()[budget_cost_map[budget_period]]
+        return user_budget - cost
+
+    # Get budget for guests
+    if 'guests' not in usage:
+        usage['guests'] = UsageTracker('guests', 'all guest users in group chats')
+    cost = usage['guests'].get_current_cost()[budget_cost_map[budget_period]]
+    return config['guest_budget'] - cost
+
+
+def is_within_budget(config, usage, update: Update, is_inline=False) -> bool:
+    """
+    Checks if the user reached their usage limit.
+    Initializes UsageTracker for user and guest when needed.
+    :param config: The bot configuration object
+    :param usage: The usage tracker object
+    :param update: Telegram update object
+    :param is_inline: Boolean flag for inline queries
+    :return: Boolean indicating if the user has a positive budget
+    """
+    user_id = update.inline_query.from_user.id if is_inline else update.message.from_user.id
+    name = update.inline_query.from_user.name if is_inline else update.message.from_user.name
+    if user_id not in usage:
+        usage[user_id] = UsageTracker(user_id, name)
+    remaining_budget = get_remaining_budget(config, usage, update, is_inline=is_inline)
+    return remaining_budget > 0
+
+
+def add_chat_request_to_usage_tracker(usage, config, user_id, used_tokens):
+    """
+    Add chat request to usage tracker
+    :param usage: The usage tracker object
+    :param config: The bot configuration object
+    :param user_id: The user id
+    :param used_tokens: The number of tokens used
+    """
+    try:
+        # add chat request to users usage tracker
+        usage[user_id].add_chat_tokens(used_tokens, config['token_price'])
+        # add guest chat request to guest usage tracker
+        allowed_user_ids = config['allowed_user_ids'].split(',')
+        if str(user_id) not in allowed_user_ids and 'guests' in usage:
+            usage["guests"].add_chat_tokens(used_tokens, config['token_price'])
+    except Exception as e:
+        logging.warning(f'Failed to add tokens to usage_logs: {str(e)}')
+        pass
+
+
+def get_reply_to_message_id(config, update: Update):
+    """
+    Returns the message id of the message to reply to
+    :param config: Bot configuration object
+    :param update: Telegram update object
+    :return: Message id of the message to reply to, or None if quoting is disabled
+    """
+    if config['enable_quoting'] or is_group_chat(update):
+        return update.message.message_id
+    return None