> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.chatlayer.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.chatlayer.ai/~/changes/zWOY8fNiBBrqneKkuGvA/tutorials/tutorial-your-first-bot.md).

# Tutorial: your first bot

Congratulations on starting to build your first bot! 👏 In this tutorial, we will take you by the hand to build a basic yet efficient train booking chatbot assistant named ChooChoo.

{% hint style="info" %}
Before the actual bot building, [planning your bot](/~/changes/zWOY8fNiBBrqneKkuGvA/tutorials/getting-started.md) is key. Make sure you define your bot's use cases and personality beforehand, so the conversation design process is easier.
{% endhint %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LLTwJA3bvP8xcPTH\_eg" %}
[1. Creating a new bot](/~/changes/zWOY8fNiBBrqneKkuGvA/tutorials/tutorial-your-first-bot/tutorial-getting-started.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

The steps to build a chatbot from scratch on the Chatlayer platform.

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LLTwJA4COtj3sFdPOT8" %}
[2. Understanding your users](/~/changes/zWOY8fNiBBrqneKkuGvA/tutorials/tutorial-your-first-bot/tutorial-adding-content.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

How to teach your bot to understand its users by adding intents and expressions powered by our Natural Language Processing engine.

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LLTwJA5tNeKbGwGJf\_R" %}
[3. Detecting information in expressions](/~/changes/zWOY8fNiBBrqneKkuGvA/tutorials/tutorial-your-first-bot/tutorial-getting-information-using-entities.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

Use entities to recognize classes of objects within what the user is saying.

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LLTwJA67wWf8WUz6vZv" %}
[4. Asking user info through input validation](/~/changes/zWOY8fNiBBrqneKkuGvA/tutorials/tutorial-your-first-bot/tutorial-request-and-use-information-using-input-plugins.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

Store valuable pieces of information given by the user to manipulate them later in the conversation.

{% content-ref url="/pages/-LLTwJA9WiK4ksc3r6ZI" %}
[5. Flow navigation with variables](/~/changes/zWOY8fNiBBrqneKkuGvA/tutorials/tutorial-your-first-bot/tutorial-conditional-flow-navigation.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

Steer the conversation in different ways depending on the information received. 

{% content-ref url="/pages/gUfff5w80TCaTSVdjg7l" %}
[6. Test your bot](/~/changes/zWOY8fNiBBrqneKkuGvA/tutorials/tutorial-your-first-bot/6.-test-your-bot.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

Test your new developments directly as you implement them.

Let's get started! 🏁


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.chatlayer.ai/~/changes/zWOY8fNiBBrqneKkuGvA/tutorials/tutorial-your-first-bot.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.