> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.chatbotplatform.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> Create your first AI chatbot in 5 minutes

Get your first AI chatbot up and running in just a few steps.

<Callout type="info">
  This guide assumes you have already signed up at [app.chatbotplatform.io](https://app.chatbotplatform.io/register).
</Callout>

## Create Your First Bot

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Bots">
    From your dashboard, click on **Bots** in the sidebar to view your bots.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a New Bot">
    Click the **Create Bot** button. Enter a name and description for your bot.

    <Frame caption="Creating a new bot">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chatbotplatform/QhGUbEN05MzAjt2K/images/screenshots/01-getting-started/03_create_bot_form.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=QhGUbEN05MzAjt2K&q=85&s=0d7a8d37b31f44d34d8a24661a1763c9" alt="Create bot form" width="1920" height="941" data-path="images/screenshots/01-getting-started/03_create_bot_form.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Your Bot">
    After creation, you'll be taken to the bot settings page. Here you can:

    * Set the bot's name and description
    * Configure behavior settings
    * View connected channels and integrations
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Add an Integration

Your bot needs an AI backend to generate responses.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to Integrations">
    From your bot's page, click on **Integrations** in the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create Integration">
    Click **Create Integration** and configure your AI backend:

    * **Name**: A friendly name (e.g., "OpenAI GPT-4")
    * **Webhook URL**: Your AI backend endpoint
    * **Headers**: Any required authentication headers
    * **Timeout**: Response timeout in seconds
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test the Integration">
    Use the built-in test feature to verify your integration works correctly.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Callout type="tip">
  **Default Integration**: Each bot comes with a default echo integration for testing. You can use this to verify your channel setup before connecting a real AI backend.
</Callout>

## Connect a Channel

Now connect your bot to a messaging platform.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Telegram">
    1. Create a bot with [@BotFather](https://t.me/BotFather) on Telegram
    2. Copy the bot token
    3. In Chatbot Platform, create a new Telegram channel
    4. Paste the token and save
    5. The webhook is configured automatically
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Slack">
    1. Create a Slack app at [api.slack.com/apps](https://api.slack.com/apps)
    2. Configure OAuth scopes and install to your workspace
    3. Copy the Bot Token and Signing Secret
    4. Create a new Slack channel in Chatbot Platform
    5. Enter the credentials and save
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Send Your First Message

Once your channel is connected:

1. Open the connected platform (Telegram, Slack, etc.)
2. Find your bot and send a message
3. Your bot will respond using the configured integration

<Callout type="success">
  Congratulations! Your first AI chatbot is now live and responding to messages.
</Callout>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Configure Behavior" icon="sliders" href="/bots/behaviors/index">
    Customize typing indicators and response settings
  </Card>

  <Card title="Add More Channels" icon="grid-2-plus" href="/bots/channels/index">
    Connect to additional messaging platforms
  </Card>

  <Card title="A/B Test Integrations" icon="flask" href="/bots/integrations/ab-testing">
    Compare multiple AI backends with weighted selection
  </Card>

  <Card title="Agent Loops" icon="rotate" href="/agent-loops/index">
    Create autonomous AI workflows with tools
  </Card>
</CardGroup>