Writing a simple bot

Nuvi now has a registered bot identity. Next: make it actually respond. With your project folder, virtual environment, and starter file ready, you’ll build a minimal bot foundation. This first version just proves the connection works. We also turn on one permission (message_content) now so later pages can add auto‑translation without revisiting setup.

In this part, you will:

1. Add discord.py to requirements.txt and install it (VS Code UI — no terminal typing required)
2. Write a basic bot that responds to a slash command /hello
3. Enable the message content intent (needed later for auto‑translation)
4. Run and test the bot

Nuvi says: Your first goal is just to see the bot come online—translation comes later. Small wins keep momentum!

1. Add and Install the discord.py Library (Using requirements.txt + VS Code UI)

We’ll declare the dependency first, then let VS Code install it into your virtual environment.

1.a Add it to requirements.txt

1. Open requirements.txt in your project.
2. Add this line (the file can just contain this for now):

discord.py

1. Save the file

1.b Install via the Environment Manager UI

1. Open the Python extension view (Python icon in the Activity Bar) and confirm the correct environment (e.g. .venv) is selected.
2. Select the “Packages” icon (it looks like a box) which will show a dropdown. Now select “Install project dependencies”
3. Click the checkbox for “requirements.txt” and click “Ok”
4. Wait until discord.py appears in the installed packages list.

2. Write the Bot Code

Open bot.py and replace any placeholder code with the following. (You’ll notice a user_languages dictionary already—this is a “placeholder notebook” we’ll actually start using when we add registration and auto‑translation soon.)

import discord
from discord.ext import commands

TOKEN = "<your token here>"

# This is where we remember which language each user wants
# It's like a notebook: user_languages[user_id] = "en" or "es"
user_languages = {}

# Tell Discord our bot needs to read messages (not just commands)
intents = discord.Intents.default()
intents.message_content = True
bot = commands.Bot(command_prefix="!", intents=intents)

@bot.event
async def on_ready():
    print(f"Bot is online as {bot.user}!")
    try:
        synced = await bot.tree.sync()
        print(f"Synced {len(synced)} commands.")
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"Error: {e}")

@bot.tree.command(name="hello", description="Says hello!")
async def hello_command(interaction: discord.Interaction):
    await interaction.response.send_message(f"Hello {interaction.user.display_name}! Have a great day coding!")

if not TOKEN:
    raise RuntimeError("Bot token missing. Add it to the TOKEN variable near the top of the file.")

bot.run(TOKEN)

What this does:

• Imports the Discord library so you don’t reinvent networking.
• Sets up “intents” and enables message_content early (future auto‑translation needs to read messages).
• Creates and starts a bot connection.
• Registers a slash command /hello to prove command syncing works.
• Uses user_languages = {} as a simple in‑memory place we’ll fill later.
• Replies with a personal greeting when /hello runs.
• Safety check: stops if the token is missing.

Warning: For simplicity we show the token inline. In real projects store secrets in environment variables or a secure vault.

3. Run the Bot

1. Open bot.py in the editor.
2. Open the Run & Debug view (play icon with a bug).
3. If asked to select a configuration, choose Python File.
4. Click the green Run/Debug button.
5. Watch the Debug Console / Terminal for:

Logged in as <your bot name>
Synced X application command(s).

4. Test the /hello Command in Discord

1. Invite your bot to a server where you have permissions (you can generate an invite link from the Developer Portal under “OAuth2 → URL Generator” with the bot and applications.commands scopes, as well as the Send Messages text permission).
2. Copy the url and paste it into your browser. That should open a Discord page asking you to select a server to invite the bot to. Select your test server.
3. Make sure the bot is running, you should see it online in the member list.
4. In any text channel where the bot is present, type /hello.
5. You should see: Hello <your Discord username here>!

Nuvi tip: If `/hello` doesn’t autocomplete right away, wait up to 60 seconds or restart the bot—Discord is syncing commands.

Level Up Challenges

1. Create a /smile command that replies with 🙂
2. Add a /ping command that replies with Pong! <ms> ms.
3. Add an /about command describing what the bot will eventually do

5. Troubleshooting