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08.suggested-actions

README.md

This sample shows how to use suggested actions. This bot example uses restify and dotenv.

To try this sample

  • Clone the repository 
    git clone https://github.com/Microsoft/botbuilder-samples.git
  • In a terminal, navigate to samples/javascript_nodejs/08.suggested-actions 
    cd samples/javascript_nodejs/08.suggested-actions
  • [Optional] Update the .env file under samples/javascript_nodejs/08.suggested-actions with your botFileSecret For Azure Bot Service bots, you can find the botFileSecret under application settings.
  • Install modules and start the bot 
    npm i && npm start
    Alternatively you can also use nodemon via 
    npm i && npm run watch

Testing the bot using Bot Framework Emulator

Microsoft Bot Framework Emulator is a desktop application that allows bot developers to test and debug their bots on localhost or running remotely through a tunnel.

Install the Bot Framework Emulator from here.

Connect to bot using Bot Framework Emulator V4

  • Launch Bot Framework Emulator
  • File -> Open Bot Configuration and navigate to samples/javascript_nodejs/08.suggested-actions folder
  • Select suggested-actions.bot file

Suggested Actions

Suggested actions enable your bot to present buttons that the user can tap to provide input. Suggested actions appear close to the composer and enhance user experience. They enable the user to answer a question or make a selection with a simple tap of a button, rather than having to type a response with a keyboard.

Unlike buttons that appear within rich cards (which remain visible and accessible to the user even after being tapped), buttons that appear within the suggested actions pane will disappear after the user makes a selection. This prevents the user from tapping stale buttons within a conversation and simplifies bot development (since you will not need to account for that scenario).

Deploy this bot to Azure

You can use the MSBot Bot Builder CLI tool to clone and configure any services this sample depends on. In order to install this and other tools, you can read Installing CLI Tools.

To clone this bot, run

msbot clone services -f deploymentScripts/msbotClone -n <BOT-NAME> -l <Azure-location> --subscriptionId <Azure-subscription-id> --appId <YOUR APP ID> --appSecret <YOUR APP SECRET PASSWORD>

NOTE: You can obtain your appId and appSecret at the Microsoft's Application Registration Portal

Further reading