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Facebook Template Message builder

In this guide:

  1. Intro
  2. Text messages
  3. Generic template
  4. List template
  5. Button template
  6. Receipt template
  7. Image attachment
  8. Audio attachment
  9. Video attachment
  10. File attachment
  11. Chat action
  12. Pause template
  13. Other attachments
  14. Handling errors

Intro

Facebook Template Message builder allows you to generate more complex messages for Facebook Messenger without writing JSON files manually.

To use it, just require fbTemplate function from Claudia Bot Builder:

const fbTemplate = require('claudia-bot-builder').fbTemplate;

fbTemplate exports an object that contains multiple classes that allows you to generate different types of Facebook Messenger structured messages:

  • Text messages (this is not template, but we need to have them because of quick answers)
  • Generic template messages
  • List template messages
  • Button template messages
  • Receipt template messages
  • Image attachment messages
  • Audio attachment messages
  • Video attachment messages
  • File attachment messages

More info about each type of structured messages can be found in Facebook Messenger's Complete guide.

Text messages

Text messages returns a simple text. In case you don't need to add quick responses reply with a simple text and Cluaudia Bot Builder will do the rest.

However, if you want to add quick replies check the class below.

API

Text (class) - Class that allows you to build text messages with quick replies

Note: Claudia bot builders versions < 2.1 have just a lower case class text, same method works for versions >= 2.1, but it's deprecated and it will be removed in next major version. Text must be UTF-8 and has a 640 character limit.

Arguments:

  • text, string (required) - a simple text to send as a reply.

Methods

Method Required Arguments Returns Description
addQuickReply No title (string, required, up to 20 characters), payload (string, required) - up to 1000 characters, image (string, optional, valid url) - an url of an icon, can be transparent and it should be at least 24x24px this for chaining Facebook allows us to send up to 11 quick replies that will appear above the keyboard
addQuickReplyLocation No No args. this for chaining Same as above, just asks user for a current location
setNotificationType No type (string, one of REGULAR, SILENT_PUSH or NO_PUSH) this for chaining REGULAR will emit a sound/vibration and a phone notification; SILENT_PUSH will just emit a phone notification, NO_PUSH will not emit either
setMessagingType Yes* type (string, one of RESPONSE, UPDATE, or MESSAGE_TAG) this for chaining Beginning May 7, 2018, this property will be required for all message sends. Note messaging_type is set to 'RESPONSE' by default
setMessageTag No tag (string, one of COMMUNITY_ALERT, CONFIRMED_EVENT_REMINDER, NON_PROMOTIONAL_SUBSCRIPTION, PAIRING_UPDATE, APPLICATION_UPDATE, ACCOUNT_UPDATE, PAYMENT_UPDATE, PERSONAL_FINANCE_UPDATE, SHIPPING_UPDATE, RESERVATION_UPDATE,ISSUE_RESOLUTION, APPOINTMENT_UPDATE, GAME_EVENT, TRANSPORTATION_UPDATE, FEATURE_FUNCTIONALITY_UPDATE, TICKET_UPDATE) this for chaining Please see the Facebook Developer's Guide for more info
get Yes No args. Formatted JSON to pass as a reply Get method is required and it returns a formatted JSON that is ready to be passed as a response to Facebook Messenger

Example

const botBuilder = require('claudia-bot-builder');
const fbTemplate = botBuilder.fbTemplate;

module.exports = botBuilder(message => {
  if (message.type === 'facebook') {
    const newMessage = new fbTemplate.Text('What\'s your favorite House in Game Of Thrones');

    return newMessage
      .addQuickReply('Stark', 'STARK')
      .addQuickReply('Lannister', 'LANNISTER')
      .addQuickReply('Targaryen', 'TARGARYEN')
      .addQuickReply('None of the above', 'OTHER')
      .get();
  }
});

How it looks:

Text with quick replies

Generic template

The Generic Template can take an image, title, subtitle, description and buttons. This template can support multiple bubbles per message and display them as a horizontal list.

API

Generic (class) - Class that allows you to build Generic template messages

Note: Claudia bot builders versions < 2.1 have just a lower case class generic, same method works for versions >= 2.1, but it's deprecated and it will be removed in next major version.

Arguments:

  • none

Methods

Method Required Arguments Returns Description
useSquareImages No No args. this for chaining By default images in generic template are in horizontal (1:1.91) ration, this method will set the ratio to 1:1
addBubble Yes title (string, required), subtitle (string) this for chaining Each Generic template can have 1 to 10 elements/bubbles, before you add anything to it. It requires element's title, but it can also accept element's subtitle
addUrl No A valid URL this for chaining Adds an url to a current element, requires a valid URL, also requires addBubble to be added first
addImage No A valid absolute URL this for chaining Adds an image to a current element, requires a valid URL, also requires addBubble to be added first
addButton Yes, at least one of the button types title (string, required), value (required, string or a valid URL) this for chaining Adds a button to a current element, each button requires a title and a value, where value can be any string if you want postback type or a valid URL if you want it's type to be web_url, at least one button is required, and maximum 3 of them is allowed. It also requires addBubble to be added first
addCallButton Yes, at least one of the button types title (string, required), phoneNumber (required, string in '+1234...' format) this for chaining Adds a call button, check official docs for more info
addShareButton Yes, at least one of the button types No args. this for chaining Adds a share button, check official docs for more info
addBuyButton Yes, at least one of the button types title (string, required), value (required, string), paymentSummary (required, object, check official docs for more info) this for chaining Adds a share button, check official docs for more info
addLoginButton Yes, at least one of the button types url (required, a valid URL) this for chaining Adds a login button, check official docs for more info
addLogoutButton Yes, at least one of the button types No args. this for chaining Adds a logout button, check official docs for more info
addQuickReply No title (string, required, up to 20 characters), payload (string, required), up to 1000 characters this for chaining Facebook allows us to send up to 10 quick replies that will appear above the keyboard
setNotificationType No type (string, one of REGULAR, SILENT_PUSH or NO_PUSH) this for chaining REGULAR will emit a sound/vibration and a phone notification; SILENT_PUSH will just emit a phone notification, NO_PUSH will not emit either
get Yes No args. Formatted JSON Get method is required and it returns a formatted JSON that is ready to be passed as a response to Facebook Messenger

*Required arguments, Messenger requires all elements to have those values, the message builder will throw an error if you don't provide it.

Example

const botBuilder = require('claudia-bot-builder');
const fbTemplate = botBuilder.fbTemplate;

module.exports = botBuilder(message => {
  if (message.type === 'facebook') {
    const generic = new fbTemplate.Generic();

    return generic
      .addBubble('Claudia.js', 'Deploy Node.js microservices to AWS easily')
        .addUrl('https://claudiajs.com')
        .addImage('https://claudiajs.com/assets/claudiajs.png')
        .addButton('Say hello', 'HELLO')
        .addButton('Go to Github', 'https://github.com/claudiajs/claudia')
      .addBubble('Claudia Bot Builder')
      	.addImage('https://claudiajs.com/assets/claudia-bot-builder-video.jpg')
      	.addButton('Go to Github', 'https://github.com/claudiajs/claudia-bot-builder')
      .get();
  }
});

How it looks:

Text with quick replies

List template

The List Template can take an image, title, subtitle, description and buttons. This template can support multiple bubbles per message and display them as a horizontal list.

API

List (class) - Class that allows you to build List template messages

Arguments:

  • topElementStyle, string (required for compact) - style of List template you want to send. Defaults to large.

Methods

Method Required Arguments Returns Description
addBubble Yes title (string, required), subtitle (string) this for chaining Each List template can have 2 to 4 elements/bubbles, before you add anything to it. It requires element's title, but it can also accept element's subtitle
addDefaultAction No A valid URL this for chaining Adds an default action url to a current element, requires a valid URL, also requires addBubble to be added first
addImage No A valid absolute URL this for chaining Adds an image to a current element, requires a valid URL, also requires addBubble to be added first
addButton No title (string, required), value (required, string or a valid URL) this for chaining Adds a button to a current element, button requires a title and a value, where value can be any string if you want postback type or a valid URL if you want it's type to be web_url, maximum 1 is allowed. It also requires addBubble to be added first
addListButton No title (string, required), value (required, string or a valid URL) this for chaining Adds a button to a List element, button requires a title and a value, where value can be any string if you want postback type or a valid URL if you want it's type to be web_url, maximum 1 is allowed.
addQuickReply No title (string, required, up to 20 characters), payload (string, required), up to 1000 characters this for chaining Facebook allows us to send up to 10 quick replies that will appear above the keyboard
setNotificationType No type (string, one of REGULAR, SILENT_PUSH or NO_PUSH) this for chaining REGULAR will emit a sound/vibration and a phone notification; SILENT_PUSH will just emit a phone notification, NO_PUSH will not emit either
get Yes No args. Formatted JSON Get method is required and it returns a formatted JSON that is ready to be passed as a response to Facebook Messenger

*Required arguments, Messenger requires all elements to have those values, the message builder will throw an error if you don't provide it.

Example

const botBuilder = require('claudia-bot-builder');
const fbTemplate = botBuilder.fbTemplate;

module.exports = botBuilder(message => {
  if (message.type === 'facebook') {
    const list = new fbTemplate.List();

    return list
      .addBubble('Claudia.js', 'Deploy Node.js microservices to AWS easily')
        .addImage('https://claudiajs.com/assets/claudiajs.png')
        .addDefaultAction('https://github.com/claudiajs/claudia-bot-builder')
        .addButton('Say hello', 'HELLO')
      .addBubble('Claudia Bot Builder')
      	.addImage('https://claudiajs.com/assets/claudia-bot-builder-video.jpg')
      	.addButton('Go to Github', 'https://github.com/claudiajs/claudia-bot-builder')
      .addListButton('Contact us if you like it', 'https://claudiajs.com')
      .get();
  }
});

Button template

The Button Template is useful when you want to present simple text with options, it has the same buttons as Generic template, but it doesn't allow element image and URL, it also doesn't allow multiple elements.

API

Button (class) - Class that allows you to build Button template messages

Note: Claudia bot builders versions < 2.1 have just a lower case class button, same method works for versions >= 2.1, but it's deprecated and it will be removed in next major version.

Arguments:

  • text, string (required) - a text to display above the button(s).

Methods

Method Required Arguments Returns Description
addButton Yes, at least one of the button types title (string, required), value (required, string or a valid URL) this for chaining Adds a button to a current element, each button requires a title and a value, where value can be any string if you want postback type or a valid URL if you want it's type to be web_url, at least one button is required, and maximum 3 of them is allowed
addCallButton Yes, at least one of the button types title (string, required), phoneNumber (required, string in '+1234...' format) this for chaining Adds a call button, check official docs for more info
addShareButton Yes, at least one of the button types No args. this for chaining Adds a share button, check official docs for more info
addBuyButton Yes, at least one of the button types title (string, required), value (required, string), paymentSummary (required, object, check official docs for more info) this for chaining Adds a share button, check official docs for more info
addLoginButton Yes, at least one of the button types url (required, a valid URL) this for chaining Adds a login button, check official docs for more info
addLogoutButton Yes, at least one of the button types No args. this for chaining Adds a logout button, check official docs for more info
addQuickReply No title (string, required, up to 20 characters), payload (string, required), up to 1000 characters this for chaining Facebook allows us to send up to 10 quick replies that will appear above the keyboard
setNotificationType No type (string, one of REGULAR, SILENT_PUSH or NO_PUSH) this for chaining REGULAR will emit a sound/vibration and a phone notification; SILENT_PUSH will just emit a phone notification, NO_PUSH will not emit either
get Yes No args. Formatted JSON Get method is required and it returns a formatted JSON that is ready to be passed as a response to Facebook Messenger

*Required arguments, Messenger requires all elements to have those values, the message builder will throw an error if you don't provide it.

Example

const botBuilder = require('claudia-bot-builder');
const fbTemplate = botBuilder.fbTemplate;

module.exports = botBuilder(message => {
  if (message.type === 'facebook') {
    return new fbTemplate.Button('How are you?')
      .addButton('Awesome', 'AWESOME')
      .addButton('Great', 'GREAT')
      .addButton('🎵🎵🎵', 'https://youtu.be/m5TwT69i1lU')
      .get();
  }
});

How it looks:

Text with quick replies

Receipt template

The Receipt Template can be used to send receipts for orders.

API

Receipt (class) - Class that allows you to build Receipt template messages

Note: Claudia bot builders versions < 2.1 have just a lower case class receipt, same method works for versions >= 2.1, but it's deprecated and it will be removed in next major version.

Arguments:

  • name, string (required) - recipient's Name

  • orderNumber, string (required) - order number, must be unique

  • currency, string (required) - currency for order, FB requires valid ISO 4217 currency code, for the list of valid codes check ISO 4217 page on Wikipedia.

  • paymentMethod, string (required) - payment method details, this can be a custom string. ex: 'Visa 1234'

  • text, string (required) - a text to display above the button(s).

Methods

Method Required Arguments Returns Description
addTimestamp No timestamp (valid JS date object, required) this for chaining timestamp of the order
addOrderUrl No url (valid URL, required) this for chaining order URL
addItem Yes, at least one title (string, required) this for chaining add an item to a receipt, at least one item is required. Beside title, each item can have subtitle, quantity, price, currencty and image, methods bellow explains how to add them
addSubtitle No subtitle (string, required) this for chaining current item's subtitle, requires addItem first
addQuantity No quantity (number, required) this for chaining current item's quantity, requires addItem first
addPrice No price (number, required) this for chaining current item's price, requires addItem first
addCurrency No currency (string, required) this for chaining current item's currency, requires addItem first
addImage No image (string, required) this for chaining current item's image, requires addItem first and accepts valid absolute urls only
addShippingAddress No street1 (string, required), street2 (string, can be null), city (string, required), zip (string, required), state (string, required), country (string, required) this for chaining shipping address if applicable
addAdjustment No name (string), amount (number) this for chaining payment adjustments, multiple adjustments are allowed
addSubtotal No subtotal (number, required) this for chaining subtotal
addShippingCost No shippingCost (number, required) this for chaining shipping cost
addTax No tax (number, required) this for chaining total tax
addTotal Yes total (number, required) this for chaining total cost
addQuickReply No title (string, required, up to 20 characters), payload (string, required), up to 1000 characters this for chaining Facebook allows us to send up to 10 quick replies that will appear above the keyboard
setNotificationType No type (string, one of REGULAR, SILENT_PUSH or NO_PUSH) this for chaining REGULAR will emit a sound/vibration and a phone notification; SILENT_PUSH will just emit a phone notification, NO_PUSH will not emit either
get Yes No args. Formatted JSON Get method is required and it returns a formatted JSON that is ready to be passed as a response to Facebook Messenger

Example

const botBuilder = require('claudia-bot-builder');
const fbTemplate = botBuilder.fbTemplate;

module.exports = botBuilder(message => {
  if (message.type === 'facebook') {
    return new fbTemplate.Receipt('Stephane Crozatier', '12345678902', 'USD', 'Visa 2345')
      .addTimestamp(new Date(1428444852))
      .addOrderUrl('http://petersapparel.parseapp.com/order?order_id=123456')
      .addItem('Classic White T-Shirt')
        .addSubtitle('100% Soft and Luxurious Cotton')
        .addQuantity(2)
        .addPrice(50)
        .addCurrency('USD')
        .addImage('http://petersapparel.parseapp.com/img/whiteshirt.png')
      .addItem('Classic Gray T-Shirt')
        .addSubtitle('100% Soft and Luxurious Cotton')
        .addQuantity(1)
        .addPrice(25)
        .addCurrency('USD')
        .addImage('http://petersapparel.parseapp.com/img/grayshirt.png')
      .addShippingAddress('1 Hacker Way', '', 'Menlo Park', '94025',  'CA', 'US')
      .addSubtotal(75.00)
      .addShippingCost(4.95)
      .addTax(6.19)
      .addTotal(56.14)
      .addAdjustment('New Customer Discount', 20)
      .addAdjustment('$10 Off Coupon', 10)
      .get();
  }
});

How it looks:

Text with quick replies

Image attachment

Image attachment allows you to send, obviously, an image :)

API

Image (class) - Class that allows you to send an image attachment message

Note: Claudia bot builders versions < 2.1 have just a lower case class image, same method works for versions >= 2.1, but it's deprecated and it will be removed in next major version.

Arguments:

  • url, string (required) - a valid absolute URL for an image.

Methods

Method Required Arguments Returns Description
addQuickReply No title (string, required, up to 20 characters), payload (string, required), up to 1000 characters this for chaining Facebook allows us to send up to 10 quick replies that will appear above the keyboard
setNotificationType No type (string, one of REGULAR, SILENT_PUSH or NO_PUSH) this for chaining REGULAR will emit a sound/vibration and a phone notification; SILENT_PUSH will just emit a phone notification, NO_PUSH will not emit either
get Yes No args. Formatted JSON to pass as a reply Get method is required and it returns a formatted JSON that is ready to be passed as a response to Facebook Messenger

Example

const botBuilder = require('claudia-bot-builder');
const fbTemplate = botBuilder.fbTemplate;

module.exports = botBuilder(message => {
  if (message.type === 'facebook') {
    return new fbTemplate
      .Image('https://claudiajs.com/assets/claudiajs.png')
      .get();
  }
});

How it looks:

Text with quick replies

Audio attachment

Audio attachment allows you to send audio files.

API

Audio (class) - Class that allows you to send an audio attachment message

Note: Claudia bot builders versions < 2.1 have just a lower case class audio, same method works for versions >= 2.1, but it's deprecated and it will be removed in next major version.

Arguments:

  • url, string (required) - a valid absolute URL for an audio file.

Methods

Method Required Arguments Returns Description
addQuickReply No title (string, required, up to 20 characters), payload (string, required), up to 1000 characters this for chaining Facebook allows us to send up to 10 quick replies that will appear above the keyboard
setNotificationType No type (string, one of REGULAR, SILENT_PUSH or NO_PUSH) this for chaining REGULAR will emit a sound/vibration and a phone notification; SILENT_PUSH will just emit a phone notification, NO_PUSH will not emit either
get Yes No args. Formatted JSON to pass as a reply Get method is required and it returns a formatted JSON that is ready to be passed as a response to Facebook Messenger

Example

const botBuilder = require('claudia-bot-builder');
const fbTemplate = botBuilder.fbTemplate;

module.exports = botBuilder(message => {
  if (message.type === 'facebook') {
    return new fbTemplate
      .Audio('http://www.noiseaddicts.com/samples_1w72b820/4927.mp3')
      .get();
  }
});

How it looks:

Text with quick replies

Video attachment

Video attachment allows you to send video files.

API

Video (class) - Class that allows you to send an video attachment message

Note: Claudia bot builders versions < 2.1 have just a lower case class video, same method works for versions >= 2.1, but it's deprecated and it will be removed in next major version.

Arguments:

  • url, string (required) - a valid absolute URL for a video.

Methods

Method Required Arguments Returns Description
addQuickReply No title (string, required, up to 20 characters), payload (string, required), up to 1000 characters this for chaining Facebook allows us to send up to 10 quick replies that will appear above the keyboard
setNotificationType No type (string, one of REGULAR, SILENT_PUSH or NO_PUSH) this for chaining REGULAR will emit a sound/vibration and a phone notification; SILENT_PUSH will just emit a phone notification, NO_PUSH will not emit either
get Yes No args. Formatted JSON to pass as a reply Get method is required and it returns a formatted JSON that is ready to be passed as a response to Facebook Messenger

Example

const botBuilder = require('claudia-bot-builder');
const fbTemplate = botBuilder.fbTemplate;

module.exports = botBuilder(message => {
  if (message.type === 'facebook') {
    return new fbTemplate
      .Video('http://techslides.com/demos/sample-videos/small.mp4')
      .get();
  }
});

How it looks:

Text with quick replies

File attachment

File attachment allows you to send files.

API

File (class) - Class that allows you to send a file attachment message

Note: Claudia bot builders versions < 2.1 have just a lower case class file, same method works for versions >= 2.1, but it's deprecated and it will be removed in next major version.

Arguments:

  • url, string (required) - a valid absolute URL for a file you want to send.

Methods

Method Required Arguments Returns Description
addQuickReply No title (string, required, up to 20 characters), payload (string, required), up to 1000 characters this for chaining Facebook allows us to send up to 10 quick replies that will appear above the keyboard
setNotificationType No type (string, one of REGULAR, SILENT_PUSH or NO_PUSH) this for chaining REGULAR will emit a sound/vibration and a phone notification; SILENT_PUSH will just emit a phone notification, NO_PUSH will not emit either
get Yes No args. Formatted JSON to pass as a reply Get method is required and it returns a formatted JSON that is ready to be passed as a response to Facebook Messenger

Example

const botBuilder = require('claudia-bot-builder');
const fbTemplate = botBuilder.fbTemplate;

module.exports = botBuilder(message => {
  if (message.type === 'facebook') {
    return new fbTemplate
      .File('https://claudiajs.com/assets/claudiajs.png')
      .get();
  }
});

How it looks:

Text with quick replies

Chat action

Sometimes you just want to simulate user actions before sending a real message, ie. typing, mark message as seen, etc. Claudia Bot Builder supports those chat actions.

API

ChatAction (class) - Class that allows you to set a chat action.

Arguments:

  • action, string (required) - a valid chat action: 'typing_on', 'typing_off' or 'mark_seen'.

Methods

Method Required Arguments Returns Description
get Yes No args. Formatted JSON to pass as a reply Get method is required and it returns a formatted JSON that is ready to be passed as a response to Facebook Messenger

Example

const botBuilder = require('claudia-bot-builder');
const fbTemplate = botBuilder.fbTemplate;

module.exports = botBuilder(message => {
  if (message.type === 'facebook') {
    return new fbTemplate
      .ChatAction('mark_seen')
      .get()
  }
});

Pause template

Sometimes it's good to make a short break when you are sending multiple messages, for that use Pause method.

API

Pause (class) - Class that allows you to set a pause before next message.

Arguments:

  • duration, integer (optional) - a duration in milliseconds, if it's not provided 0.5 seconds will be set automatically.

Note: This is not the Facebook API method, it's a Claudia Bot Builder method that allows you to build better user experience.

Methods

Method Required Arguments Returns Description
get Yes No args. Formatted JSON to pass as a reply Get method is required and it returns a formatted JSON that is ready to be passed as a response to Facebook Messenger

Example

const botBuilder = require('claudia-bot-builder');
const fbTemplate = botBuilder.fbTemplate;

module.exports = botBuilder(message => {
  if (message.type === 'facebook') {
    return [
      new fbTemplate.ChatAction('typing_on').get(),
      new fbTemplate.Pause(1000).get(),
      'Hello!'
    ]
  }
});

Other attachments

Beside those, Facebook Messenger now supports a few other templates that are not so useful for the common bots, ie. Airline templates.

You can use all those templates by simply providing an object (just a message part, without recipient) instead of a template builder class.

An example:

const botBuilder = require('claudia-bot-builder');

module.exports = botBuilder(message => {
  return {
    attachment: {
      type: 'template',
      payload: {
        template_type: 'generic',
        elements: [{
          title: 'Breaking News: Record Thunderstorms',
          subtitle: 'The local area is due for record thunderstorms over the weekend.',
          image_url: 'https://media.xiph.org/BBB/BBB-360-png/big_buck_bunny_01542.png',
          buttons: [{
            type: 'element_share'
          }]
        }]
      }
    }
  };
});

How it looks:

Text with quick replies

Handling errors

Facebook Template Message builder checks if the messages you are generating are following Facebook Messenger guidelines and limits, in case they are not an error will be thrown.

Example:

Calling new fbTemplate.text() without text will throw Text is required for text template error.

More info about limits and guidelines can be found in Messenger's Send API Referece.

All errors that Claudia bot builder's fbTemplate library is throwing can be found in the source code.

Errors will be logged in Cloud Watch log for your bot.