You can easily create a Bot and deploy it on Facebook.
To do this, we will use the Microsoft Bot Framework that contains the following components:
- Bot Connector – A service that connects your bot to communication channels such as Facebook, Skype, and email.
- Bot Builder – A C# and Node.js library that provides a powerful framework for constructing bots that can handle freeform and guided interactions.
- Bot Directory – A directory of Bots that you can connect to.
The Bot Connector helps you connect your Bot to communication channels. You can write a Bot and expose the Microsoft Bot Framework-compatible API on the internet.
The Bot Connector will forward messages to users, and will send the user messages back to your Bot.
To demonstrate this, we will start with the Bot created in the article: Creating a Hello World! Bot Using The Microsoft Bot Framework.
Set-Up Facebook
The first step is to log into your Facebook.com account (or create one).
Select Create Page.
Select a template, fill in the required information, and click Get Started.
To get the Facebook Page ID (that you will need later), click on the About tab…
… and you will find the Facebook Page ID.
Create A Facebook Developer Account
Go to: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/apps/register and click the button to create a Facebook developer account.
Click the slider to Yes to accept the Policy and click Register.
Create A Facebook App
Next, go to: https://developers.facebook.com/ (log in again if needed).
Select Add a New App.
Select basic setup.
Fill in the information and click Create App ID.
Make a note of the App ID, you will need it in a later step.
Click the Show button to display the App Secret. Make a note of it, you will need it in a later step.
Now that the App is created, you need to configure it to use the Facebook Messenger.
Click Add Product.
Select Messenger.
Select Get Started.
Facebook Messenger has been added.
You now need to configure it to talk to the Microsoft Bot Connector.
Configure The Callback Url and Verify Token
Go to: https://dev.botframework.com/ and Sign In.
Select My bots.
Select a published bot you created using the directions in the article: Creating a Hello World! Bot Using The Microsoft Bot Framework.
Click the Add button next to the Facebook Messenger channel.
Click the expander next to Set webhook callback url and verify token.
Use the Select buttons to individually select and copy the Callback Url and Verify Token.
Return to: https://developers.facebook.com, select your application, and in the settings for Messenger, click the Setup Webhooks button.
Enter the Callback Url and Verify Token your copied, check the Subscription fields indicated in the image above, and click the Verify and Save button.
After the Webhooks have been set, click the dropdown next to Select a Page.
Select the Facebook page you created earlier.
Next, click the Subscribe button.
Get Page Token
In the Token Generation section, select the page that you previously created.
A Page Access Token will be created.
Copy the Page Access Token.
Configure The Microsoft Bot Connector
Return to: https://dev.botframework.com/ and select your Bot again, then click the Edit button next to the Facebook Messenger channel.
Click the expander next to Enter your credentials.
Enter the information you gathered in the earlier steps and click the Resubmit button.
Check the box next to Enable this bot on Facebook Messenger.
Click the I’m done configuring Facebook Messenger button.
Talking To Your Bot
You can now talk to your Bot by navigating to:
https://www.messenger.com/t/{Your Page ID}/
This will take you to a Facebook Messenger, and after logging in with your Facebook ID, it will allow you to converse with your Bot.
Until your App is approved and made public, only you can chat with your Bot.
To create test accounts to test it, go to: https://developers.facebook.com/, select the App, and then select Roles and then Test Users.
Fill in the form that displays to create test users.
To allow real Facebook users to test it, select Roles and then Add Testers.
Fill in the form that displays to allow access for the users.
To make the Bot public, select App Review then click the slider to change it from No to Yes.
To request the needed permissions, select Settings under Messenger then click the Request Permissions button.
Select pages_messaging and then click the Add 1 Item button.
See this page for more information on the App review process:
https://developers.facebook.com/docs/messenger-platform/app-review
Links
Microsoft Bot Framework
Facebook for developers
Facebook Messenger (Stack Overflow)
Microsoft Bot Framework messages with buttons in Facebook Messenger
