About Chat Applications
Warning
The embedding format for chat applications described in this chapter currently works correctly; however, for the New chat, applications need to be embedded in the Rest Placement format.
Types of Applications
Developers can integrate into the Messenger by adding their icon to the text input panel:
If the application fails to load the image, a default icon labeled Chat Applications will be displayed. Clicking on the icon will show its text version.
Chat applications come in two types — JS command or IFRAME application.
JS Command
When the icon is clicked, a command for the chatbot is inserted into the input field, which can either send a command to the chat, initiate a phone call, or open an Open Channel for support.
Using this format, developers can create a button in their chatbots for users to contact them.
An example of such a command for the chatbot Marta is an icon for playing tic-tac-toe:
IFRAME Application
This is an enhanced format. When the icon is clicked, an IFRAME application will open, allowing the developer to implement any functions. The application can interact with the chat using JS commands:
- to insert a message into the input field
- to send a message on behalf of the user
- to close the dialog
- to open the technical support chat (consultant OL)
- to make a call
You can see an example of this implementation in the Giphy chatbot:
Feel the difference — previously, you would type a command as a message, and Giphy would return a random image on the topic. Now you see what you are sending.
Warning
Please note that icons can understand context, meaning that the application can only be displayed in the chats where it is needed.
For example, for contacting technical support, it is more appropriate to place the application within the context of your chatbot, as it would be unnecessary in other chats. Alternatively, you can create a special application for Open Channels — it should only be shown in the context of Open Channels.
Available contexts: all, chat, bot, lines, user, call.
You can add the postfix -admin to each context — then the icon will be shown in the required context only to administrators.
Contextual Applications
Contextual applications are designed to assist users in interacting with the chatbot within a specific dialogue (message).
For example, when a client writes in an Open Channel, the Open Channel chatbot analyzes the message and prepares response options. To avoid disrupting operators and not to show them the entire flow of information, we carefully create a button that, when clicked, will open an IFRAME application.
