A Discord Bot that helps with Action Items
Installation
Install the Actions Bot.
Usage
/action-react
Create an action that requires users of a particular role to react with a
Follow the slash command prompt:
/action-react [role] [message]
Example:
/action-react @Pod 4.0.3 Due Friday: Complete Week 12 Survey
/action-thread
Create an action that requires users of a particular role to reply in a thread.
Follow the slach command prompt:
/action-thread [role] [message]
Example:
/action-thread @Pod 4.0.3 Friday December 17th: Post Standup Notes
/action-thread @Pod 4.0.3 Week 12 Retrospective
Self-hosting
Step 1: Create and Install Discord App
- Create a new Discord app.
- Go to the app's dashboard and create a bot user with SERVER MEMBERS INTENT turned on.
- Install the Discord Bot by going to
https://discord.com/oauth2/authorize?client_id=${CLIENT_ID}&scope=bot%20applications.commands&permissions=446677109824
Step 2: Deployment
First, cp .env.example .env and fill in the required fields.
Method 1: Node Deployment
# Register Discord slash commands, only need to run this once
npm run deploy-commands
# Run the bot
npm start
Method 2: Docker Deployment
docker build -t discord-actions-bot .
# Register Discord slash commands, only need to run this once
docker run --rm --env-file .env \
-v discord-actions-bot-db:/app/db \
discord-actions-bot npm run deploy-commands
# Run the bot
docker run --name discord-actions-bot --env-file .env \
-v discord-actions-bot-db:/app/db \
discord-actions-bot
Journey
Idea
As a team that consists of a pod-leader and a fellow alumni, we decided to build an app that would make our lives easier.
Shifting from one platform to another to do simple everyday things like completing action items in Google Sheets and writing standup notes in GitHub Discussions was very tedious. So we decided to try and move those things to a platform of choice, Discord.
Implementation
We used Discord.js, Docker, and Tenor API.
With Discord.js, we were able to build the commands needed to serve the logic that the Action Bot follows. Such as deleting messages, updating lists, creating threads, and everything else has been done with Discord.js.
We also used Docker to create an image and serve the bot on a server. It should provide a seamless integration for anybody who would like to use the bot in their own Discord channels.
And finally, to make completing the actions fun, we added a random GIF that will show up when an action is completed by all pod members.
Results
In the few hours we put toward this hackathon project, we built a stable product that will let fellows complete their tasks without leaving Discord. It will let us keep everything within one platform to allow for better navigation and performance.
Future Plans
/action-remind (remind asap) || /action-set-reminder 3 (hours in advance)
Send friendly reminders to fellows to complete their standup notes (no need for messages).
/action-vote
Let fellows vote to play their favorite games on gamedays (no more annoying zoom polls).
/action-survey
Ask fellows for their feedback in a private thread to learn about their experiences in one platform (no third-party providers).
/action-meet-fellows
Match fellows for quick 1-1s where they can setup meetings in private threads.
Authors
Part of MLH Internal Hackathon 2021