Welcome to the Chatbot Constructor!
Learning how to create blocks and connect them is the first step to a functional and comprehensible conversational flow design.
In this article, you will learn the basics by creating a basic conversation flow. For this, we will create a new chatbot as a test.
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Access the Chatbots List and click on Create new chatbot.
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Select Flow-based Chatbot > Enter a name > Choose Blank.
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Click on Create chatbot.
What is a Block
Conversations and interactions of the flow-based chatbot are determined by blocks. Each block characterizes a stage or action in the conversation between the bot and the user.
Creating the First Block
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In the lower-left corner of the Constructor, click on Add block and it will automatically appear on the screen.
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Click on it. You will see that a window opens on the right. This is the Block Details section.
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In this window, there are options for Content, Variables, and Destination. For this first step, we will only use the Content option.
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Click on Add Content. In Data output, choose Text message. Write a greeting, such as "Hello, I am a test assistant. How can I help you?". Click on Close edition.
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Since this block characterizes the Home of the flow, rename it from the default "Untitled 1" to "Home" and just below, in Marker, change it from Default to Home.
Congratulations! You have created your first block.
Connecting Blocks
Now we will create a new block to indicate to the bot that, after sending the greeting, it needs to wait for the user's response. For this, we will connect the two blocks as follows:
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Click again on Add block.
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Click on the new block added and, in Block Details, click on Add content.
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Since the goal of the block is for the customer to write back to the bot, choose Data input > Open field.
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Rename the default name "Untitled 2" to "Response" and just below in Marker, leave it as Default.
Now, it is necessary to connect the two blocks to create a flow. This is done in the Block Details, where you define the Destination of each one.
For example, the destination of block 1 will be block 2. This way, the bot understands that after the greeting, the next step in the flow is the user's response. Therefore:
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Click on the first block created.
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Click on the Destination tab.
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At the bottom, click on Default destination and select the second block.
Done! You will automatically see an arrow connecting the two blocks. To see it in practice, let's Home your chatbot.
Delete or duplicate a block
To delete or duplicate a block, simply click on the icon located to its right and select the desired action.
Testing the Created Flow
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Click on Save changes in the lower-left corner of the Constructor.
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Click on Test chatbot next to Save changes. It will already send the text message configured in the first block and open the field to type the response.
Congratulations! You have learned to create and connect your blocks. Now, continue developing your knowledge to improve the chatbot's interactions.
Next Steps: