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Is Your Bot Right for Root?

Root Bots let you add community features without building a GUI. Bots rely entirely on Root's built-in UI and API for user interaction. This makes them much faster to develop than Apps.

By the end of this article, you’ll be able to:

  • Decide if your Bot idea is a good match for Root.

Why use a Bot?​

  • Faster to build: With no frontend GUI code, you can focus entirely on server logic and ship faster.
  • Great for prototyping: Bots let you test ideas quickly and gather feedback from real users before investing in a full App with a GUI.
  • Perfect for backend utilities: Some use cases like background automation, data processing, or admin tools may not need a custom interface. They can monitor user actions like channel messages for input and write messages, create log files, add reactions, etc. for output.

When to choose a Bot over an App​

Here are some common use cases where Bots shine:

✅ Start with a Bot if…​

  • You’re exploring a new idea and want to validate it with users first.
  • Your feature works fine with chat messages built into the Root client.
  • You’re building a background service that watches channels, listens for events, or maintains state.
  • You need an automation tool that helps admins manage resources like roles, channels, or files.

🚫 Build an App if…​

  • Your idea depends on a custom GUI, like a rich form, dashboard, or dynamic layout.
  • You want fine-grained control over the user experience beyond what Root's built-in UI allows.
  • You need to present complex visuals or workflows that wouldn’t be clear in chat alone.

Convert to an App later​

Bots are a great place to start, and they don’t box you in. If your Bot proves valuable and you want more control over the interface, you can always upgrade it to a full App later. You’ll keep your backend logic and add a GUI on top.

Conclusion​

Root Bots are a practical way to get your ideas into the hands of users—fast. Whether you're prototyping a new concept or building a behind-the-scenes utility, Bots let you focus on functionality without the overhead of a custom interface. Start simple, iterate quickly, and when the time is right, evolve into a full App with a GUI.