Botkit Code Basics

Here's (almost) everything you need to know to build a bot

var Botkit = require('botkit');

var controller = Botkit.slackbot({
  clientId: process.env.clientId,
  clientSecret: process.env.clientSecret,
  studio_token: process.env.studio_token,
});

Include Botkit into your Node application and boot up a controller that will define your bot's behaviors. In this case, we're setting up a bot for Slack.

controller.setupWebserver(process.env.port,function(err,webserver) {
    controller.createWebhookEndpoints(controller.webserver);
    controller.createOauthEndpoints(controller.webserver);
});

Set up a simple webserver so that Botkit can receive incoming messages via webhook.

controller.hears('hello','direct_mention,direct_message', function(bot, message) {

  bot.reply(message,'Howdy!');

});

Tell the bot to listen for users saying "hello," and use `bot.reply` to send an immediate response.

controller.hears('tacos','direct_mention,direct_message', function(bot, message) {

  bot.startConversation(message, function(err, convo) {
    convo.say('Oh boy, taco time!');
    convo.ask('What type of taco do you want?', function(answer, convo) {
      var taco_type = answer.text;
      // do something with this answer!
      // storeTacoType(convo.context.user, taco_type);
      convo.say('YUMMMM!!!'); // add another reply
      convo.next(); // continue with conversation
    });
  });
});

Start a conversation, then queue up multiple messages to send, including a prompt sent using `convo.ask()` which allows your bot to capture user input and use it.

Botkit

Building Blocks for Building Bots

The leading developer tool for building chat bots, apps and custom integrations for major messaging platforms.

We love bots, and want to make them easy and fun to build!

Your bot works with all the cool tools and APIs!

Botkit Code Basics

Here's (almost) everything you need to know to build a bot

Botkit Community Resources

Join the open Slack at community.botkit.ai

Explore Botkit on GitHub and become a contributor