diff --git a/session_bot/bot.py b/session_bot/bot.py
index 238806f..ce3e4d2 100644
--- a/session_bot/bot.py
+++ b/session_bot/bot.py
@@ -110,8 +110,10 @@ def extract_template_text(message: Message) -> str | None:
         return message.text.split(maxsplit=1)[1]
 
     source = message.reply_to_message or message
+    if source.html_text:
+        return source.html_text
     if source.text:
-        return source.md_text
+        return source.text
     return None
 
 
@@ -179,7 +181,7 @@ async def update_channel_post(bot: Bot, app_config: dict, state_storage: JsonSta
         chat_id=settings.channel_id,
         message_id=settings.channel_message_id,
         text=text,
-        parse_mode=ParseMode.MARKDOWN_V2,
+        parse_mode=ParseMode.HTML,
         disable_web_page_preview=False,
     )
 
diff --git a/session_bot/render.py b/session_bot/render.py
index f6eeb4b..33e6790 100644
--- a/session_bot/render.py
+++ b/session_bot/render.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+from html import escape
+
 
 DEFAULT_STATUS_LABELS = {
     "open": "исполняет роль",
@@ -8,23 +10,13 @@ DEFAULT_STATUS_LABELS = {
     "rest": "антракт",
 }
 
-MARKDOWN_V2_SPECIALS = r"_*[]()~`>#+-=|{}.!"
-
-
-def escape_markdown_v2(value: str) -> str:
-    return "".join(f"\\{char}" if char in MARKDOWN_V2_SPECIALS else char for char in value)
-
-
-def escape_markdown_v2_url(value: str) -> str:
-    return value.replace("\\", "\\\\").replace(")", "\\)")
-
 
 def build_hidden_link(config: dict) -> str:
     url = config.get("hidden_link_url", "").strip()
     if not url:
         return ""
-    invisible = config.get("hidden_link_char", "\u2063")
-    return f"[{invisible}]({escape_markdown_v2_url(url)})"
+    invisible = config.get("hidden_link_char", "​")
+    return f'<a href="{escape(url, quote=True)}">{invisible}</a>'
 
 
 def build_actor_lines(config: dict, state: dict) -> str:
@@ -37,21 +29,20 @@ def build_actor_lines(config: dict, state: dict) -> str:
         status = current.get("status", actor.get("default_status", "backstage"))
         phrase = current.get("phrase", actor.get("phrases", {}).get(status, ""))
         label = status_labels.get(status, status)
-        display_name = actor.get("display_md", actor["display_name"])
-        meta = actor.get("meta_md", actor["pronouns"])
-        emoji = actor.get("emoji_md", actor.get("emoji", ""))
+        display_name = actor.get("display_html", escape(actor["display_name"]))
+        meta = actor.get("meta_html", escape(actor["pronouns"]))
+        emoji = actor.get("emoji_html", escape(actor.get("emoji", "")))
 
         line = (
-            f"{emoji} "
-            f"[{escape_markdown_v2(display_name)}]({escape_markdown_v2_url(actor['link'])}) "
-            f"{escape_markdown_v2(meta)} "
-            f"{escape_markdown_v2(label)}\\."
+            f'{emoji} '
+            f'<a href="{escape(actor["link"], quote=True)}">{display_name}</a>'
+            f"{meta}{escape(label)}."
         )
         if phrase:
-            line = f"{line}\n   {escape_markdown_v2(phrase)}"
+            line = f"{line}\n   {escape(phrase)}"
         actor_lines.append(line)
 
-    actor_lines.extend(config.get("static_actor_lines_md", []))
+    actor_lines.extend(config.get("static_actor_lines_html", []))
     return "\n".join(actor_lines)
 
 
@@ -61,17 +52,17 @@ def build_default_template(config: dict) -> str:
     if hidden:
         blocks.append(hidden)
 
-    for key in ("header", "intro_links", "projects_block", "actors_title"):
+    for key in ("header_html", "intro_links_html", "projects_block_html", "actors_title_html"):
         value = config.get(key, "").strip()
         if value:
-            blocks.append(escape_markdown_v2(value))
+            blocks.append(value)
 
     blocks.append("{{actors}}")
 
-    for key in ("legend", "footer"):
+    for key in ("legend_html", "footer_html"):
         value = config.get(key, "").strip()
         if value:
-            blocks.append(escape_markdown_v2(value))
+            blocks.append(value)
 
     return "\n\n".join(blocks)
 
diff --git a/tests/test_render.py b/tests/test_render.py
index 3b2e5bb..920cd12 100644
--- a/tests/test_render.py
+++ b/tests/test_render.py
@@ -9,8 +9,10 @@ def test_build_channel_text_includes_phrase_and_status() -> None:
             {
                 "key": "astat",
                 "display_name": "ASTAT",
+                "display_html": "<b>ASTAT</b>",
                 "link": "https://t.me/example",
                 "pronouns": "he/him",
+                "meta_html": " he/him ",
                 "emoji": "🌟",
                 "default_status": "backstage",
                 "phrases": {"open": "принимает тейки"},
@@ -22,7 +24,7 @@ def test_build_channel_text_includes_phrase_and_status() -> None:
 
     text = build_channel_text(config, state)
 
-    assert "[⁣](https://example.com/image.png)" in text
-    assert "[ASTAT](https://t.me/example)" in text
+    assert '<a href="https://example.com/image.png">' in text
+    assert '<a href="https://t.me/example"><b>ASTAT</b></a>' in text
     assert "исполняет роль" in text
     assert "готов к игре" in text