How To Construct a Slackbot With Node.js and Kinsta API for Website Control

Slack is an impressive messaging platform that permits groups to collaborate successfully. And if that collaboration additionally comes to taking a look after more than one WordPress websites right here at Kinsta, you’ll transfer some commonplace site-management duties to Slack with the assistance of the Kinsta API.

Integrating a Slackbot into your workflow can save time and make stronger productiveness. This instructional combines the facility of Slack and the Kinsta API to construct a Slackbot able to managing duties like checking web site standing, clearing a web site’s cache, and restarting a web site’s PHP engine.

What You’re Development

Right here, you’re construction a Slackbot on Node.js the use of the Bolt API (the swiftest strategy to get started programming with the Slack Platform). Your software turns Slack’s slash instructions into calls to the Kinsta API and relays responses in order that all of the consumer interplay occurs in Slack.

Must haves

To apply together with this undertaking, you’ll have the next:

• Fundamental wisdom of JavaScript and Node.js
• Node.js model 12 or upper
• npm (Node Bundle Supervisor) put in for your pc
• Slack workspace

Making a Slack Utility

A Slackbot is largely a Slack software. To create a brand new Slack software, apply those steps:

1. Navigate to the Slack API dashboard.
2. Click on at the Create New App button, which is able to open a modal.
3. Choose the From Scratch technique to get started construction your app from the bottom up.
4. Supply a reputation to your Slack app. As an example, Kinsta Bot.
5. Subsequent, make a selection the workspace the place you wish to have to put in the app and click on Create App button.

Don’t hesitate to edit your app’s fundamental data via navigating to the Fundamental Data possibility at the sidebar. Scroll all the way down to Show Data so as to add main points like a picture, identify, description, colour, and extra.

Configuring oAuth and Permissions

You’ve effectively created a Slackbot. On the other hand, positive permissions will have to be granted to allow it to get right of entry to knowledge and carry out movements inside your Slack workspace. To get right of entry to the vital settings:

1. Move for your Slack app’s dashboard and in finding the OAuth and Permissions possibility within the left sidebar.
2. When you’re there, scroll all the way down to the Scopes segment.
3. Grant your bot the facility to learn quick messages from customers and reply to these messages.

Under is a screenshot appearing the scopes you will have to supply for your bot:

By way of configuring those scopes, your bot will probably be provided to engage seamlessly with Slack customers and perform its supposed purposes successfully.

Putting in Slack Bot to Your Workspace

To finish the method, you will have to set up your new Slackbot inside your Slack workspace. Navigate to the left sidebar and make a choice Set up Apps. From there, click on Set up to Workspace and specify the channel the place you’d like so as to add the bot.

Your Slackbot is now able. Let’s arrange a Node.js server that will probably be used to obtain and procedure your requests.

Environment Up the Building Atmosphere

To get began together with your new Node.js undertaking, create a brand new listing to your software and initialize it with npm:

mkdir my-express-app 
cd my-express-app 
npm init -y

After operating the command above, a brand new package deal.json record is created on your selected listing with default values. The package deal.json record is very important because it comprises details about your undertaking and its dependencies. Those dependencies will allow clean construction and make stronger the capability of your undertaking:

1. @slack/bolt: This JavaScript framework empowers you to unexpectedly create feature-rich Slack apps, leveraging the newest platform features.
2. nodemon: A treasured device that routinely restarts your Node.js software each time record adjustments within the listing are detected, making sure a streamlined construction workflow.
3. dotenv: This zero-dependency module performs a an important function in loading atmosphere variables from the .env record into the procedure.env, making configuration leadership a breeze.

To put in the specified applications, execute the next instructions:

npm i @slack/bolt
npm i --save-dev nodemon dotenv

After effectively putting in those dependencies and dev dependencies, it’s time so as to add a dev script for your package deal.json record, using nodemon to run your JavaScript record. Be sure that your package deal.json script object contains the next:

"scripts": {
  "dev": "nodemon app.js"
}

Finally, it’s essential to say that the dev script is pointing to a non-existent app.js record. Create this record on your undertaking’s listing, as that is the place the common sense of your undertaking will probably be treated.

contact app.js

Configuring Your Atmosphere Variables (Tokens and Secrets and techniques)

You’ll want particular tokens and secrets and techniques to engage together with your Slack software out of your Node.js undertaking. Those credentials are delicate, and to verify their coverage when the use of model keep an eye on, we’ll retailer them within the .env record.

To procure the Signing secret, move for your Slack dashboard, click on on Fundamental Data, after which scroll all the way down to App Credentials, the place you’ll in finding the Signing Secret. For the token, click on on Set up App or OAuth & Permissions, and there you’ll in finding the OAuth Token. Usually, the Token begins with “xoxb”.

Create a record named .env within the root listing of your undertaking, and upload the Signing Secret and Bot Token within the following structure:

SLACK_SIGNING_SECRET="YOUR SIGNING SECRET"
SLACK_BOT_TOKEN="YOUR BOT TOKEN"

To verify this delicate data isn’t driven for your Git supplier, create a .gitignore record on your undertaking’s root listing and upload the next traces to forget about the .env record and the node_modules folder:

/node_modules
.env

With this setup entire, you at the moment are able to continue with the server configuration.

Putting in the Node.js Server

Putting in the Node.js server is a key step in construction your Slackbot. You want to import vital applications and modules, initialize them, and set the port on which your undertaking will concentrate. Open the app.js record you created previous and upload the next code:

const { App } = require("@slack/bolt");
require("dotenv").config();

// Initializes your app together with your bot token and signing secret
const app = new App({
  token: procedure.env.SLACK_BOT_TOKEN,
  signingSecret: procedure.env.SLACK_SIGNING_SECRET,
});

(async () => )();

Within the code above, you import the App magnificence from the @slack/bolt library, a an important part for construction Slack apps. Moreover, you employ the dotenv package deal to procedure atmosphere variables.

Then, the app consistent is created the use of the App magnificence, representing your Slack bot software. It calls for two essential parameters: token and signingSecret. Those values are fetched from the .env record.

Subsequent, throughout the async serve as, the server setup happens. The app is began via calling app.get started(). It listens to port 3000 in the neighborhood and logs a message to the console, confirming that the Kinsta Bot app is operating.

Now, while you run the dev script you configured (npm run dev), you get the message on your terminal: “ Kinsta Bot app is operating on port 3000!”

Figuring out Slack API Socket Mode

In Slack API integration with Node.js servers, there are two number one strategies of connection: using the general public HTTP endpoint of your server or using Socket Mode to allow WebSockets. This instructional makes a speciality of using Socket Mode, because it allows the implementation of interactive options like Slack slash instructions with larger ease. This method permits Slack to connect with your Node.js server the use of WebSockets as a substitute of conventional HTTP.

On the other hand, if you select to make use of the HTTP endpoint in the neighborhood, you’ll leverage ngrok to create a public URL that proxies for your localhost.

Getting Began With Socket Mode

To get began with Socket Mode, apply those steps:

1. Navigate to Fundamental Data at the left sidebar of your Slack dashboard. Scroll all the way down to App-Degree Tokens and click on the Generate Token and Scopes button.
2. Give your token a reputation and upload the 2 to be had scopes: connections:write and authorizations:learn. Click on Generate to create the token.
3. Reproduction the generated token and paste it into your .env record, assigning it to a variable known as APP_TOKEN. Take into account, app-level token strings start with xapp-.

Subsequent, click on on Socket Mode within the sidebar, and toggle the Allow Socket Mode possibility. After all, on your app.js record, upload socketMode:true and your appToken to the code that initializes your app/server:

const app = new App({
  token: procedure.env.SLACK_BOT_TOKEN,
  signingSecret: procedure.env.SLACK_SIGNING_SECRET,
  socketMode: true, // allow socket mode
  appToken: procedure.env.APP_TOKEN,
});

When you’ve finished those steps, all requests for your construction server will happen by means of WebSockets slightly than HTTP. This setup allows you to profit from Socket Mode and make stronger your Slackbot’s capability.

Slack Slash Instructions

Slash instructions are an impressive function in Slack that allows customized triggers for particular movements. Those triggers can also be detected in chat messages throughout channels inside Slack. Moreover, slash instructions help you go textual content knowledge at once for your server. As an example, when you arrange a command like /operation_status [operation ID], it’ll go the supplied operation ID for your server and cause the corresponding operation_status command listener.

Together with your server correctly configured to engage with Slack, your next step is putting in place slash instructions that may cause movements for your server.

Developing Slash Instructions on Slack

To create Slash Instructions on Slack, click on the Slash Instructions menu possibility at the left sidebar, then click on the Create New Command button. Fill the ensuing shape the use of the picture underneath as a information.

After filling out the shape, click on the Save button. Slack will recommended you to reinstall the app for your workspace for the adjustments to take impact. Observe the directions to create some slash instructions, as proven within the symbol underneath:

Configuring Slash Instructions With Node.js

When you’ve created the vital slash instructions, alter your Node.js app to answer them.

Let’s start via trying out the /operation_status command. Arrange a listener for occasions that come with the /operation_status command via including the next code for your app.js record:

const { App } = require('@slack/bolt');
require('dotenv').config();

const app = new App({
    token: procedure.env.SLACK_BOT_TOKEN,
    signingSecret: procedure.env.SLACK_SIGNING_SECRET,
    socketMode: true, // allow the next to make use of socket mode
    appToken: procedure.env.APP_TOKEN,
});

app.command('/operation_status', async ({ command, ack, say }) => {
    wait for ack();
    say('Wooah! Iit works!');
});

(async () => )();

Within the code above, the focal point is at the app.command() serve as, which purposes in a similar way to match listeners in JavaScript. You specify the command you want to concentrate for after which create an asynchronous callback serve as to outline the specified motion. This serve as takes 3 parameters:

• command: Accommodates the main points of the slash command despatched via the consumer.
• ack: Recognizes the receipt of the slash command.
• say: Sends a message again to the Slack channel.

With the code above, the /operation_status command in Slack will generate the message: “Wooah! it really works!”

Now, let’s upload the command listeners for all of the slash instructions you’ve created:

app.command('/environment_id', async ({ command, ack, say }) => {
    wait for ack();
    // Carry out the specified motion the use of the command after which ship a reaction.
});

app.command('/site_id', async ({ command, ack, say }) => {
    wait for ack();
    // Carry out the specified motion the use of the command after which ship a reaction.
});

app.command('/operation_status', async ({ command, ack, say }) => {
    wait for ack();
    // Carry out the specified motion the use of the command after which ship a reaction.
});

app.command('/clear_site_cache', async ({ command, ack, say }) => {
    wait for ack();
    // Carry out the specified motion the use of the command after which ship a reaction.
});

app.command('/restart_php_engine', async ({ command, ack, say }) => {
    wait for ack();
    // Carry out the specified motion the use of the command after which ship a reaction.
});

Your app is now able to concentrate for the Slack slash instructions. It’s time so as to add the movements each and every command will cause.

Imposing Slash Instructions With Kinsta API

Your app will reply to each and every slash command with a choice to the Kinsta API after which go back the results of that motion to Slack. To make use of Kinsta’s API, you will have to have an account with a minimum of one WordPress web site, software, or database in MyKinsta. You’ll additionally want to generate an API key to authenticate and get right of entry to your account during the API.

How To Create a Kinsta API Key

To generate an API key:

1. Move for your MyKinsta dashboard.
2. Navigate to the API Keys web page (Your identify > Corporate settings > API Keys).
3. Click on Create API Key.
4. Select an expiration date or set a customized get started date and selection of hours for the important thing to run out.
5. Give the important thing a singular identify.
6. Click on Generate.

Whilst you create an API key, replica it and retailer it someplace secure, as that is the one time you’ll see it. For this undertaking, put it aside on your .env record as KINSTA_API_KEY.

Interacting With Kinsta API in Node.js

Interacting with the Kinsta API can also be accomplished the use of numerous Node.js libraries, together with Axios. On the other hand, on this instructional, we’ll go for the JavaScript fetch() way, which is now supported and plays successfully within the newest Node.js variations.

For this Slackbot, many API requests will probably be made, together with GET and POST requests. To keep away from repetition, retailer the API URL and headers in variables in order that your code is straightforward to take care of and browse:

// kinsta API utilities
const KinstaAPIUrl = 'https://api.kinsta.com/v2';

const getHeaders = {
    Authorization: `Bearer ${procedure.env.KINSTA_API_KEY}`,
};

const postHeaders = {
    'Content material-Sort': 'software/json',
    Authorization: `Bearer ${procedure.env.KINSTA_API_KEY}`,
};

Ahead of you get started coding your app’s reaction to each and every slash command, you will have to replica your Kinsta corporate ID and retailer it within the .env record as KINSTA_COMPANY_ID. It will be had to retrieve your web site checklist.

Imposing Atmosphere ID Slash Command

Whilst you use the /environment_id slash command, any worth supplied after the command will probably be retrieved and used on your Node.js server. For this command, a touch used to be added to signify that it expects a parameter: the [Site name].

Each and every web site on MyKinsta has a singular web site identify, however there is not any direct endpoint to request a web site’s atmosphere ID the use of its identify. In consequence, you first want to make a request for all of the websites for your corporate account, after which use the in finding() strategy to find the web site whose identify suits the only handed with the slash command.

To succeed in this, two requests are made. First, to procure the web site’s ID, after which you’re making any other request to the /environments endpoint to retrieve the surroundings ID related to that web site.

To take care of code readability and straightforwardness of upkeep, each and every request is made independently. This implies having particular person purposes for those requests after which calling the ones purposes within the command listener.

Let’s start via fetching the checklist of all of your websites:

async serve as getAllSites() {
    const question = new URLSearchParams({
        corporate: procedure.env.KINSTA_COMPANY_ID,
    }).toString();
    const resp = wait for fetch(`${KinstaAPIUrl}/websites?${question}`, {
        way: 'GET',
        headers: getHeaders,
    });
    const knowledge = wait for resp.json();
    go back knowledge;
}

The code above will go back an array containing all of the websites. Within the /environment_id command listener, you’ll retrieve the reaction and retailer it in a variable. Then, the use of the in finding() way, seek for a web site whose identify suits the only handed from Slack. The ideas from Slack is saved in command.textual content.

app.command('/environment_id', async ({ command, ack, say }) => {
    wait for ack();
    let siteName = command.textual content;
    let reaction = wait for getAllSites();
    if (reaction) {
        let mySites = reaction.corporate.websites;
        let currentSite = mySites.in finding((web site) => web site.identify === siteName);
        // get atmosphere ID
    }
});

Now that you’ve the web site, use its ID to fetch the surroundings ID. Very similar to once we queried for an inventory of websites, create a devoted serve as to make an HTTP request to the /environments endpoint:

async serve as getEnvironmentId(siteId) {
    const resp = wait for fetch(`${KinstaAPIUrl}/websites/${siteId}/environments`, {
        way: 'GET',
        headers: getHeaders,
    });
    const knowledge = wait for resp.json();
    go back knowledge;
}

The code above expects the web site ID to be handed as an issue when calling this serve as within the /environment_id command listener. Upon receiving the ID, the API request is made, and the reaction is saved in a variable. Then, you’ll output the surroundings ID on Slack the use of the say() way:

app.command('/environment_id', async ({ command, ack, say }) => {
    wait for ack();
    let siteName = command.textual content;
    let reaction = wait for getAllSites();
    if (reaction) {
        let mySites = reaction.corporate.websites;
        let currentSite = mySites.in finding((web site) => web site.identify === siteName);
        let envIdResponse = wait for getEnvironmentId(currentSite.identification);
        let envId = envIdResponse.web site.environments[0].identification;
        if (envId) {
            say(`Good day 👋,nnThe atmosphere ID for "${siteName}" is 👉 ${envId}`);
        }
    }
});

At this level, while you open Slack and kind /environment_id adopted via a legitimate web site identify, reminiscent of /environment_id fashionstored, you’ll obtain a reaction that appears like this:

Imposing Website Equipment (Transparent Website Cache, Restart PHP Engine) Slash Command

Two duties you’ll put into effect simply during the API with no need to navigate to MyKinsta are the web site device operations Transparent Website Cache and Restart PHP Engine.

To accomplish any web site gear operation, all you want is the surroundings ID. This ID is used to make a POST request to the /websites/gear/clear-cache and /websites/gear/restart-php respectively. As you probably did previous, carry out the API request independently after which go back the reaction:

async serve as clearSiteCache(environmentId) {
    const resp = wait for fetch(`${KinstaAPIUrl}/websites/gear/clear-cache`, {
        way: 'POST',
        headers: postHeaders,
        frame: JSON.stringify({
            environment_id: environmentId,
        }),
    });
    const knowledge = wait for resp.json();
    go back knowledge;
}

async serve as restartPHPEngine(environmentId) {
    const resp = wait for fetch(`${KinstaAPIUrl}/websites/gear/restart-php`, {
        way: 'POST',
        headers: postHeaders,
        frame: JSON.stringify({
            environment_id: environmentId,
        }),
    });
    const knowledge = wait for resp.json();
    go back knowledge;
}

Subsequent, you’ll create command listeners for each operations in Slack. Those listeners will probably be configured to cause each time the respective command is used:

app.command('/clear_site_cache', async ({ command, ack, say }) => {
    wait for ack();
    let environmentId = command.textual content;
    let reaction = wait for clearSiteCache(environmentId);
    if (reaction) {
        say(
            `Good day 👋, nn${reaction.message} via the use of the /operation_status slack commmand. nnOperation Identity is ${reaction.operation_id}`
        );
    }
});

app.command('/restart_php_engine', async ({ command, ack, say }) => {
    wait for ack();
    let environmentId = command.textual content;
    let reaction = wait for restartPHPEngine(environmentId);
    if (reaction) {
        say(
            `Good day 👋, nn${reaction.message} via the use of the /operation_status slack command. nnOperation Identity is ${reaction.operation_id}`
        );
    }
});

Within the code above, the information retrieved from the API requests are used to build the reaction despatched again to Slack. The reaction contains details about the operation, such because the message and the operation ID.

By way of imposing those slash instructions and their corresponding listeners, you’ll empower your Slackbot to seamlessly have interaction with the Kinsta API, making it more straightforward than ever to control your web site’s cache and PHP engine at once from Slack.

Imposing an Operation Standing Slash Command

It will even be just right to get the standing of your operations from Slack. You’ll use the /operations endpoint along the operation_id to do that. Like sooner than, create a serve as to take care of this request and go back the request reaction:

async serve as CheckOperationStatus(operationId) {
    const resp = wait for fetch(`${KinstaAPIUrl}/operations/${operationId}`, {
        way: 'GET',
        headers: getHeaders,
    });
    const knowledge = wait for resp.json();
    go back knowledge;
}

Let’s outline the command listener to cause the request and go the operation ID despatched by means of Slack:

app.command('/operation_status', async ({ command, ack, say }) => {
    wait for ack();
    let operationId = command.textual content;
    let reaction = wait for CheckOperationStatus(operationId);
    let operationMessage = reaction.message;
    if (operationMessage) {
        say(`Good day 👋, nn${operationMessage}`);
    }
});

Now while you use the /operation_status slash command with any legitimate operation ID, you’ll get the standing of the ID returned by means of Slack.

Along with the instructions you’ve already carried out with the Kinsta API, there are extra instructions that may be built-in, in addition to further occasions that may be treated via the Slackbot. As an example, the Slackbot can reply when discussed or tagged the use of the @ image.

To allow this capability, you want to subscribe to the vital occasions in Slack. As a substitute of the use of the app.command() way, you’ll make the most of the app.message() way, which takes each the command and say parameters.

Right here’s an instance of ways you’ll accomplish that:

app.message("good day", async ({ command, say }) => {
  say("Woah! It really works!");
});

After developing your Slackbot, it’s possible you’ll realize that you just’re not able to ship messages to it. Whilst you navigate to the bot beneath the Apps tab in Slack, you have to come upon a message mentioning: “Sending messages to this app has been became off.” No worries, even though, we will be able to simply repair this!

To allow message sending, apply those steps:

1. Click on at the App House menu possibility situated at the left sidebar.
2. This web page permits you to arrange all settings to your bot. Scroll down till you in finding the “Permit customers to ship Slash instructions and messages from the messages tab” checkbox.
3. Test the field to allow this capability.

When you’ve made those adjustments, it’s very important to reload your Slack app to mirror the updates. Should you’re the use of a Mac, you’ll reload Slack via urgent CMD + R. For different PC customers, you’ll achieve this via urgent CTRL + R.

Now, you’re all set to ship messages for your bot! Within the Slack app, you will have to see the Kinsta Bot app indexed just below the Your Apps segment. Click on on it to start out sending messages. Be at liberty to check any of your configured slash instructions, and so they will have to paintings flawlessly. Benefit from the seamless interplay together with your Slackbot!

The whole supply code for this undertaking is to be had on GitHub.

Deploying Your Node.js Utility to Kinsta

Whilst you construct your Node.js server, it is very important deploy it so your Slackbot is all the time to be had, even supposing you prevent your native construction. You’ll be able to deploy to Kinsta’s Utility Webhosting platform in case your code is hosted at the Git suppliers Bitbucket, GitHub, or GitLab.

To deploy your repository to Kinsta, apply those steps:

1. Log in for your Kinsta account at the MyKinsta dashboard.
2. Click on Upload provider.
3. Choose Utility from the dropdown menu.
4. Within the modal that looks, make a selection the repository you wish to have to deploy. You probably have more than one branches, you’ll make a choice the specified department and provides a reputation for your software.
5. Choose some of the to be had knowledge middle places. Kinsta will stumble on and set up your app’s dependencies from package deal.json, then construct and deploy.

After all, it’s no longer secure to push out API keys to public hosts like your Git supplier. When webhosting on Kinsta, you’ll upload them as atmosphere variables the use of the similar variable identify and price specified on your construction .env record.

When you begin the deployment of your software, it’ll start the method and most often entire inside a couple of mins. If any problems together with your Node.js configurations impact deployment, you’ll upload a Node.js buildpack within the deployment settings tab.

Abstract

On this article, you will have realized methods to construct a Node.js software that connects Slack with the Kinsta API and methods to deploy that software to Kinsta.

Slackbots and the Kinsta API make it more straightforward so that you can observe and arrange your Kinsta-hosted products and services. Development at the fundamentals of this instructional, believe what you’ll do with a Slackbot and the API. Believe extra complicated instructions that carry out operations like WordPress web site cloning and web site advent proper from Slack.

How are you the use of Kinsta API? What options do you want to peer added/uncovered subsequent?

The submit How To Construct a Slackbot With Node.js and Kinsta API for Website Control seemed first on Kinsta®.

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