# Discord Bot Light Client
A lightweight, modern Erlang library for building Discord bots using the Gateway and HTTP APIs.
This library provides a simple, configurable client process that connects to Discord, listens for messages, and lets you define your own command handlers.
[](https://hex.pm/packages/discord_bot_light)
[](https://hexdocs.pm/discord_bot_light)
[](LICENSE)
---
## Features
- **Lightweight**: Minimal dependencies, no heavy frameworks.
- **Flexible Command Handling**: Plug in your own module, function, or fun for command processing.
- **Modern Discord Gateway Support**: Connects via WebSocket, handles heartbeats, reconnection, and events.
- **Simple API**: Send and edit messages easily.
---
## Installation
Add the following to your `rebar.config` dependencies:
```erlang
{discord_bot_light, "v0.2.0"}
```
Make sure you also depend on:
- gun (HTTP/WebSocket client)
- jsone (JSON library)
- certifi (CA certificates)
- public_key (comes with Erlang/OTP)
---
## Usage
### 1. Write a Command Handler Module
Create a module that exports `handle_message/3`:
```erlang
%%% example_bot_commands.erl
-module(example_bot_commands).
-export([handle_message/3]).
handle_message(<<"!hello">>, ChannelId, Author) ->
Username = maps:get(<<"username">>, Author, <<"Unknown">>),
Response = <<"Hello, ", Username/binary, "!">>,
discord_bot_light_client:send_message(ChannelId, Response);
handle_message(<<"!ping">>, ChannelId, _Author) ->
discord_bot_light_client:send_message(ChannelId, <<"Pong!">>);
handle_message(_, _, _, _) ->
ok.
```
---
### 2. Start the Bot
You can start the bot from your application supervisor or shell:
```erlang
Token = <<"YOUR_DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN">>,
Handler = example_bot_commands,
{ok, Pid} = discord_bot_light_client:start_link(Token, [{command_handler, Handler}]).
```
---
### 3. Send Messages from Anywhere
You can send messages manually:
```erlang
discord_bot_light_client:send_message(<<"channel_id">>, <<"Hello, Discord!">>, <<"YOUR_TOKEN">>).
```
Or edit messages:
```erlang
discord_bot_light_client:edit_message(<<"channel_id">>, <<"message_id">>, <<"New content!">>, <<"YOUR_TOKEN">>).
```
---
## Command Handler Interface
Your handler should export:
```erlang
handle_message(Content, ChannelId, Author) -> ok | {error, Reason}.
```
- **Content**: binary, message text
- **ChannelId**: binary, Discord channel ID
- **Author**: map, info about the author (id, username, etc.)
---
## Notes
- **Do not respond to your own bot's messages**; the client ignores them by default.
- **Intents**: The client enables MESSAGE_CONTENT and GUILD_MESSAGES intents.
- **TLS**: Uses secure TLS options with hostname verification.
- **Reconnect**: Handles automatic reconnection if the connection drops.
---
## License
Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0. See the LICENSE file for details.
---
## Credits
- Inspired by the simplicity of the Discord API.
---
**Happy hacking!**
For questions or improvements, open an issue or PR on the repository.
