Request Information
This section contains essential information and usage guidelines for using the Request Information Chat Components inside BotPenguin.
What are Chat Components?
Chat Components are configurable building blocks used to capture information, validate responses, manage conditional logic, invoke APIs, and control the overall flow inside a BotPenguin conversation. These elements ensure data capture consistency and help automate user interactions in personalized workflows.
A. Name
Click “Name” under Chat Components.
Customize the message under “Customize Bot Message.”
The flow will pause until the user submits their name.
Use Case: In case of entering the user’s name, this component is used to request the name as input from the user.
Advanced Settings – Name Component
The Advanced tab for the Name component allows you to control validation, navigation behavior, notifications, and message timing when collecting a user’s name.
These settings help ensure clean data, better user experience, and accurate records.
Navigation Controls
Allow Back
Enables users to return to the previous question
Useful if users want to correct earlier inputs
Recommended: Enable for form-style flows
Allow Visitor to Skip
Lets users skip the name question
Suitable for optional personalization
Note: Skipped values will not be stored.
Skip Question If Already Answered
Automatically bypasses this step if the user’s name is already available
Ideal for returning visitors or logged-in users
Notifications & Records
Send Notification for the User Reply
Sends the submitted name to configured admin notifications
Useful for lead alerts or internal follow-ups
Include in Email Transcript
Adds the user’s name to the chat/email conversation transcript
Helps maintain complete conversation records
Validation Settings
Max Characters Allowed
Defines the maximum length of the name input
Example value:
100
Purpose:
Prevents excessively long or invalid name entries
Keeps data clean and readable
Error Message (Exceeds Max Characters)
Displayed when the user enters a name longer than the allowed limit
Example:
Best practice: Keep error messages friendly and clear.
Message Optimization
Rephrase Messages
Automatically rewords the question to avoid repetition
Makes conversations sound more natural
Rephrase Error Messages
Improves error message tone using AI-based rephrasing
Helps reduce friction during form completion
Timing Control
Add Delay
Adds a pause before the message appears
Example:
1 second
Use case:
Makes the chatbot feel more human
Improves pacing between questions
B. Phone Number
Click “Phone Number” to add it to your flow.
Customize the message in the left panel.
Select a country code from the dropdown.
Use Case: In case of collecting the user’s phone number, this component is used to request a valid phone number from the user.
Advanced Settings – Phone Number Component
The Advanced tab for the Email component helps you manage validation rules, navigation behavior, notifications, and message timing when collecting a user’s email address.
These settings ensure accurate email data and a smooth user experience.
Navigation Controls
Allow Back
Allows users to return to the previous step
Useful if users want to correct earlier responses
Recommended: Enable for form-based flows
Allow Visitor to Skip
Lets users skip the email question
Suitable when email is optional
⚠️ Skipped emails will not be captured or stored.
Skip Question If Visitor Has Already Answered
Automatically skips this step if an email already exists
Ideal for returning or identified users
Notifications & Records
Send Notification for the User Reply
Sends the submitted email address to configured admin notifications
Useful for lead alerts and internal follow-ups
Include in Email Transcript
Adds the user’s email to the chat/email transcript
Helps maintain complete conversation records
Validation Settings
Apply Email Validation
Ensures users enter a valid email format (example: [email protected])
This prevents:
Incomplete emails
Invalid domains
Formatting errors
Error Message (Invalid Email)
Displayed when the user enters an incorrect email format
Example:
Best practice: Keep the message friendly and non-technical.
Message Optimization
Rephrase Messages
Automatically rewords the email request message
Helps reduce repetition in longer flows
Rephrase Error Messages
Improves error message tone using AI
Makes validation errors sound more natural
Timing Control
Add Delay
Adds a short pause before the message is displayed
Example:
1 second
Why use this?
Makes conversations feel more human
Improves pacing between questions
C. Email
Select “Email” from the Chat Component list.
Customize the requested message under the left panel.
Use Case: In case of collecting the user’s email address, this component is used to request an email from the user.
Advanced Settings – Email Component
The Advanced tab for the Email component allows you to validate email input, control navigation behavior, manage notifications, restrict domains, and fine-tune message timing.
These settings help ensure you collect valid, high-quality email addresses while maintaining a smooth user experience.
Navigation Controls
Allow Back
Allows the user to go back to the previous step
Useful if users want to correct earlier answers
Allow Visitor to Skip
Lets users skip the email question
Best used when email is optional
⚠️ If skipped, the email will not be stored.
Skip Question If Visitor Has Already Answered
Automatically skips this step if an email already exists
Ideal for returning or identified users
Notifications & Records
Send Notification for the User Reply
Sends the submitted email address to admin notifications
Helpful for lead alerts and internal follow-ups
Include in Email Transcript
Includes the user’s email in the chat/email transcript
Ensures complete conversation records
Email Validation
Invalid Email Error Message
Shown when the user enters an incorrectly formatted email
Example:
Tip: Keep the message short and user-friendly.
Domain Restrictions
Include / Exclude Specified Domains
Restrict which email domains are allowed or blocked
Options:
Include – Only allow emails from specific domains (e.g., company.com)
Exclude – Block emails from certain domains (e.g., gmail.com, yahoo.com)
Domain
Enter the domain name without
@Example:
Domain Restriction Error Message
Displayed when a user enters an email from a restricted domain
Example:
Message Optimization
Rephrase Messages
Automatically rewrites the email prompt
Helps reduce repetition in long flows
Rephrase Error Messages
Improves validation error tone using AI
Makes errors sound more natural and friendly
Timing Control
Add Delay
Adds a delay before the message appears
Example:
1 second
Why use it?
Creates a more natural, conversational flow
Improves pacing between questions
D. Single Choice
Click “Single Choice.”
Add options (max 5).
Link each option to the next component.
Use Case: In case the user needs to select only one option from multiple choices, this component is used.
Advanced Settings – Single Choice Component
The Advanced tab for the Single Choice component lets you control navigation behavior, data handling, integrations, notifications, and message timing when users select one option from a list.
This is useful for surveys, qualification questions, and decision-based flows.
Navigation Controls
Allow Back
Allows users to go back to the previous step
Helpful if users want to change an earlier answer
Allow Visitor to Skip
Lets users skip the single-choice question
Suitable when the selection is optional
⚠️ If skipped, no option value will be stored.
Notifications & Data Handling
Send Notification for the User Reply
Sends the selected option to admin notifications
Useful for lead qualification alerts or internal updates
Include in Leads
Saves the selected option as part of the lead data
Enables filtering and segmentation in the Leads dashboard
Include in Email Transcript
Adds the selected option to the email/chat transcript
Helps maintain complete conversation records
Integrations & Logic
Use API Response
Uses values returned from an API to populate or process options
Useful for dynamic data such as:
Product lists
Status options
External system responses
💡 Commonly used with API Call or Webhook actions.
Message Optimization
Rephrase Messages
Automatically rewords the question text
Reduces repetition in longer conversations
Rephrase Error Messages
Improves error message tone using AI
Makes system feedback sound more natural
Timing Control
Add Delay
Adds a pause before the message is displayed
Example:
1 second
Benefits:
Creates a more conversational feel
Improves pacing between questions
E. Multiple Choice
Click “Multiple Choice.”
Add up to 5 selectable options.
Map each selection to the next message or action.
Use Case: In case the user needs to select more than one option, this component is used.
Advanced Settings – Multiple Choice Component
The Advanced tab for the Multiple Choice component allows you to control navigation behavior, data capture, notifications, and message timing when users can select more than one option.
This component is commonly used for preferences, surveys, feature selection, and qualification flows.
Navigation Controls
Allow Back
Allows users to return to the previous question
Helpful if users want to modify earlier responses
Allow Visitor to Skip
Lets users skip the multiple-choice question
Useful when selections are optional
⚠️ If skipped, no options will be saved.
Notifications & Data Handling
Send Notification for the User Reply
Sends the selected options to admin notifications
Useful for alerts, surveys, or qualification updates
Include in Leads
Saves all selected options as part of the lead profile
Helps with segmentation and filtering in the Leads dashboard
Include in Email Transcript
Adds the selected options to the email/chat transcript
Ensures complete conversation records
Message Optimization
Rephrase Messages
Automatically rephrases the question text
Helps reduce repetition in longer chat flows
Rephrase Error Messages
Improves validation or system error messages using AI
Makes feedback sound more natural and user-friendly
Timing Control
Add Delay
Adds a pause before the message is displayed
Example:
1 second
Why use it?
Makes conversations feel more natural
Improves pacing between steps
F. Text Questions
Click “Text Question” to add it to your flow.
Customize the request message based on the information you want to collect.
Use Case: In case you need a custom or open-ended answer from the user, this component is used.
Advanced Settings – Text Question Component
The Advanced tab for the Text Question component lets you manage navigation behavior, notifications, transcripts, and message timing when users provide free-text responses.
This component is ideal for open-ended inputs such as feedback, comments, descriptions, or custom answers.
Navigation Controls
Allow Back
Allows users to return to the previous step
Useful if users want to revise earlier responses
Allow Visitor to Skip
Lets users skip the text question
Suitable when the response is optional
⚠️ If skipped, no text input will be captured.
Notifications & Records
Send Notification for the User Reply
Sends the user’s typed response to admin notifications
Useful for:
Feedback monitoring
Support requests
Custom inquiries
Include in Email Transcript
Adds the user’s text response to the email/chat transcript
Ensures complete conversation history for records and follow-ups
Message Optimization
Rephrase Messages
Automatically rewords the text question
Helps reduce repetition in long or multi-step conversations
Timing Control
Add Delay
Adds a delay before the message is shown
Example:
1 second
Why use this?
Makes the chatbot feel more natural
Improves pacing between consecutive questions
G. File Upload
Click “File” from the chat components list.
Customize the file request message in the left customization panel.
The user will be able to upload files such as images, documents, or videos.
Use Case: In case you need the user to upload a file, image, or video, this component is used.
Advanced Settings – File Component
The Advanced tab for the File component allows you to manage navigation behavior, notifications, file validation feedback, transcripts, and message timing when users upload files.
This component is commonly used for document uploads, screenshots, IDs, resumes, or attachments.
Navigation Controls
Allow Back
Allows users to return to the previous step
Useful if users want to change an earlier response before uploading a file
Allow Visitor to Skip
Lets users skip the file upload step
Suitable when file upload is optional
⚠️ If skipped, no file will be collected.
Notifications & Records
Send Notification for the User Reply
Sends a notification when a user uploads a file
Helpful for:
Support teams
Verification workflows
Document reviews
Include in Email Transcript
Includes the uploaded file reference in the email/chat transcript
Ensures complete conversation records for follow-ups
File Validation & Errors
Error Message if User Uploads a Large File
Displayed when the uploaded file exceeds the allowed size limit
Example:
Best practice: Clearly mention size expectations to reduce retries.
Message Optimization
Rephrase Messages
Automatically rephrases the file upload prompt
Helps avoid repetitive wording in longer flows
Rephrase Error Messages
Improves the tone of file-related error messages using AI
Makes system feedback sound more user-friendly
Timing Control
Add Delay
Adds a delay before the file upload prompt is displayed
Example:
1 second
Why use this?
Creates a more natural conversational pace
Helps users prepare for file upload actions
H. iFrame
Click “Iframe” to add it to your flow.
Paste the URL of the webpage you want to embed.
Add a title and description so the user understands the content.
Add a CTA button label that will open the URL when clicked.
Use Case: In case you want to display an external webpage or embedded content inside the chat, this component is used.
Advanced Settings – iFrame Component
The iFrame component allows you to embed an external web page inside the chat flow. The Advanced tab controls notifications, message optimization, and timing behavior for this embedded content.
This component is ideal for:
Displaying websites
Showing dashboards or tools
Embedding forms, documentation, or interactive pages
Notifications
Send Notification for the User Reply
Sends a notification when the user interacts with or proceeds after the iFrame step
Useful when:
Tracking engagement with embedded pages
Monitoring completion of external steps
Message Optimization
Rephrase Messages
Automatically rephrases the iFrame prompt using AI
Helps reduce repetition and improve conversational tone
Example:
“Click the button below to explore web page” may be rephrased for clarity or friendliness.
Timing Control
Add Delay
Adds a delay before the iFrame message appears
Default shown: 1 second
Why use this?
Creates smoother conversational pacing
Helps users transition between steps before loading embedded content
Settings Summary
Send Notification
Alerts you when the user reaches this step
Rephrase Messages
Improves wording automatically
Delay
Controls when the iFrame appears
I. Appointment
The Appointment component allows you to let users book appointments directly through the chatbot by connecting it with your calendar provider (such as Google Calendar). It automates date selection, time slot availability, and event creation, making appointment scheduling seamless for both users and businesses.
What is the Appointment Component?
The Appointment component enables your chatbot to:
Show available dates and time slots to users
Book appointments in real time
Create events directly in your connected calendar
Collect attendee details automatically (Name, Email, Phone)
This component is ideal for appointment booking, consultations, demos, service scheduling, and support calls.
Prerequisites
Before using the Appointment component, ensure that:
Name, Email, and Phone Number components are added before the Appointment component in the chat flow
A supported calendar provider (e.g., Google Calendar) is available
You have access to the calendar account you want to connect
How to Add the Appointment Component
Go to Bots → Select your Bot
Open Edit Chat Flow
From Add Chat Component, select Appointment (New)
Drag and drop the component into your chat flow at the required position
Step 1: Connect the Calendar (Connect Tab)
Click on Add Account button if your account is not connected and if your account is already existing then you can enter the following details and click on Update and next button.
Calendar Provider
Select your preferred calendar provider
Google Calendar
SimplyBook
Acuity Scheduling
GoHighLevel (based on availability)
Action Type
Select Create Event, Reschedule or Cancel Event to automatically add appointments to your calendar.
Calendar Account
Click Add Account
Select the Account
Authenticate and connect your calendar
Select the connected account from the dropdown
Click Update and Next to proceed.
Step 2: Configure Appointment Details (Configure Tab)
Basic Details
Appointment Name A label for internal identification (e.g., “New Appointment”)
Appointment Slot Duration Define how long each appointment should be (e.g., 15, 30, 60 minutes)
Future Days Availability Specify how many days in advance users can book appointments
Availability Schedule Select an existing schedule or click Add New Schedule to define:
Working days
Working hours
Break times
Time Zone Select your correct time zone (e.g., Asia/Kolkata)
⚠️ Make sure Name, Email, and Phone components are added before this step.
Message Text Customisation
You can customize all user-facing messages:
Message Text for Date Selection Example: “Please select a date for your appointment.”
Message Text for Slot Selection Example: “Now choose a suitable time slot from the options below.”
Message for Appointment Success Example: “Your appointment has been successfully scheduled.”
Message for Appointment Failed Example: “Sorry, we couldn’t schedule your appointment. Please try again.”
Message for Slot Unavailable Example: “This slot is no longer available. Please select a different time.”
Option Text for Showing More Slots Example: “View more”
Data Mapping
Primary Attendee
Map the attendee details to a chatbot attribute
Commonly mapped to Email
Ensures the event is created with correct user details in the calendar
Advanced Options
Using Advanced Options, you can:
Redirect users to the next message after booking
Control fallback behavior if booking fails
Customize flow transitions
How It Works for End Users
User interacts with the chatbot
Bot asks the user to select a date
Available time slots are displayed
User selects a time slot
Appointment is booked instantly
Event is created in the connected calendar
Confirmation message is shown to the user
Use Cases
Doctor or clinic appointment booking
Sales demo scheduling
Consultation calls
Service bookings
Interview or meeting scheduling
J. Location
Click “Location” from the available components.
Enter a message requesting the user to share their location.
Use Case: In case you want to collect the user’s location as text, this component is used.
Advanced Settings – Location Component
The Location component allows users to share their geographic location during a chat conversation. The Advanced tab controls notifications, transcript inclusion, and message timing for this step.
This component is commonly used for:
Capturing service locations
Finding nearby branches or stores
Scheduling on-site visits
Verifying user regions
Navigation Controls
Allow Back
Allows users to return to the previous step in the chat flow
Useful if users want to correct earlier inputs
Allow Visitor to Skip
Lets users skip the location request
Recommended if location is optional rather than required
Notifications
Send Notification for the User Reply
Sends a notification when the user shares their location
Useful for:
Alerting support or sales teams
Triggering location-based workflows
Recommended: ✅ Enabled when location is critical
Data Handling
Include in Leads
Saves the user’s location as part of the lead record
Useful for CRM enrichment and segmentation
Include in Email Transcript
Includes the shared location in email transcripts
Helps internal teams reference user context later
Message Optimization
Rephrase Messages
Automatically improves the wording of the location prompt using AI
Helps maintain a friendly and conversational tone
Timing Control
Add Delay
Adds a delay before the location request is displayed
Default shown: 1 second
Why use this?
Creates a smoother conversational experience
Gives users time to process the previous step
Settings Summary
Allow Back
Enables backward navigation
Allow Visitor to Skip
Makes location optional
Send Notification
Alerts when location is shared
Include in Leads
Stores location in lead data
Include in Email Transcript
Adds location to email logs
Rephrase Messages
Improves prompt wording
Delay
Controls message timing
K. Date/Time
Add the “Date/Time” input component.
Enter a message requesting the user to choose a date.
If required, enable the checkbox to allow time selection.
Use Case: In case you need the user to select a date or date with time, this component is used.
Advanced Settings – Date/Time Component
The Date/Time component allows users to select a specific date or time during a conversation. The Advanced tab controls navigation, notifications, transcripts, and message timing for this component.
This component is commonly used for:
Booking requests
Preferred contact dates
Scheduling follow-ups
Availability collection
Navigation Controls
Allow Back
Allows users to go back to the previous step
Useful if users want to change earlier answers
Allow Visitor to Skip
Lets users skip the date/time selection
Recommended only if date/time is optional
Notifications
Send Notification for the User Reply
Sends a notification when the user selects a date or time
Helpful for:
Sales or support alerts
Appointment workflows
Admin follow-ups
Recommended: ✅ Enabled for scheduling use cases
Message Optimization
Rephrase Messages
Uses AI to improve the wording of the date/time prompt
Helps maintain a natural, conversational tone
Data Handling
Include in Email Transcript
Includes the selected date/time in the email transcript
Useful for internal records and follow-ups
Timing Control
Add Delay
Adds a delay before the date/time message appears
Default shown: 1 second
Why use this?
Improves conversational flow
Gives users a short pause before selection
Settings Summary
Allow Back
Enables backward navigation
Allow Visitor to Skip
Makes date/time optional
Send Notification
Alerts when date/time is selected
Rephrase Messages
Improves prompt wording
Include in Email Transcript
Adds date/time to email logs
Delay
Controls message timing
L. Rating
Select the “Rating” component.
Add the message text to request user feedback.
Configure up to 5 rating-level labels for user selection.
Use Case: In case you want users to rate their experience, this component is used.
Advanced Settings – Rating Component
The Rating component allows users to rate their experience using a visual scale (for example, stars or emojis). The Advanced tab controls how the response is logged, timed, and optimized.
This component is commonly used for:
Customer feedback
Experience surveys
Post-interaction ratings
Service quality measurement
Message Optimization
Rephrase Messages
Uses AI to automatically improve the wording of the rating question
Helps make feedback prompts sound more natural and engaging
Example:
“How was your experience with us?” may be rephrased for clarity or friendliness.
Data Handling
Include in Email Transcript
Adds the user’s rating to the email transcript
Useful for:
Support reviews
Internal reporting
Feedback audits
Recommended: ✅ Enable this for all feedback flows
Timing Control
Add Delay
Adds a delay before the rating question is displayed
Default shown: 1 second
Why use this?
Gives users a brief pause after completing previous steps
Improves conversational flow before asking for feedback
Settings Summary
Rephrase Messages
Improves rating question wording
Include in Email Transcript
Logs rating in email
Delay
Controls when the rating appears
M. Range
Click “Range” to add the slider input.
Enter the instruction or request message for the user.
Add prefix and suffix units (e.g., $, %, years).
Select the starting and ending numeric values.
Set the step value for slider increments.
Use Case: In case you want users to select a value within a specific range, this component is used.
Advanced Settings – Range Component
The Range component allows users to select a value within a defined numerical range (for example, 1–10 or 0–100) using a slider-style input.
The Advanced tab controls how the selected range value is optimized, timed, and recorded for reporting and follow-ups.
Common Use Cases
The Range component is commonly used for:
Satisfaction or experience scoring
Feedback intensity measurement (e.g., 1–10 scale)
Preference or likelihood selection
Service quality evaluation
Message Optimization
Rephrase Messages
Uses AI to automatically improve the wording of the range question.
Benefits:
Makes the question sound more natural and user-friendly
Improves clarity and engagement
Helps users understand what the scale represents
Example:
“Select a range” may be rephrased to better explain what the scale measures.
Data Handling
Include in Email Transcript
Adds the user’s selected range value to the email transcript generated after the conversation.
Useful for:
Feedback analysis
Internal reporting
Quality and performance reviews
Recommended: ✅ Enable this for all feedback and scoring flows.
Timing Control
Add Delay
Adds a delay before the range question is displayed to the user.
Default: 1 second
Why use this?
Gives users a short pause after the previous step
Creates a smoother conversational experience
Helps prepare users for providing a numerical response
Settings Summary
Rephrase Messages
Improves range question wording using AI
Include in Email Transcript
Logs the selected range value in email records
Delay
Controls when the range input appears
N. Numeric Input
Click “Numeric Input.”
Customize the message to request a numerical response.
Use Case: In case you want users to enter a numeric value, this component is used.
Advanced Settings – Numeric Input Component
The Numeric Input component allows users to enter a numerical value. The Advanced tab controls how the response is validated, recorded, and presented in the conversation flow.
Common Use Cases
The Numeric Input component is commonly used for:
Collecting phone numbers or IDs
Survey questions requiring numeric answers
Quantitative feedback or scoring
Order quantities or payment inputs
Message Optimization
Rephrase Messages
Automatically rephrases the numeric input prompt for clarity and friendliness.
Benefits:
Makes instructions more understandable
Reduces invalid or incorrect responses
Error Messages
Customizes the message shown if the user enters invalid input.
Example from UI:
“Good one! Don’t try and trick me with an invalid input”
Tip: Keep error messages friendly but clear to guide the user toward valid input.
Data Handling
Include in Email Transcript
Includes the user’s numeric response in the email transcript.
Useful for:
Support follow-ups
Internal reporting
Data audits
Recommended: ✅ Enable this for all numeric input flows where the data is important.
Timing Control
Add Delay
Adds a delay before the numeric input is displayed.
Default: 1 second
Why use this?
Creates a natural pause in the conversation
Gives users time to read prior messages
Settings Summary
Rephrase Messages
Improves numeric input prompt wording
Rephrase Error Messages
Customizes guidance if user enters invalid input
Include in Email Transcript
Logs the numeric input in email records
Delay
Controls when the numeric input appears
Click “Smart Question.”
Enter the question text the user will respond to.
Add the keywords that will determine the response logic.
Select the match type (Exact Match or Keyword Contained).
Map each keyword to the next chat component.
Use Case: In case the next flow depends on the user’s textual answer, this component is used.
Advanced Settings (Smart Question)
The Advanced tab allows you to control how users interact with a Smart Question and how their responses are handled. These options help improve conversation flow, data quality, and user experience.
Allow Back
When enabled, users can go back to the previous step in the chat flow.
Use this when:
You want users to correct a mistake
The question is part of a longer form or data collection flow
Recommended for: Forms, lead collection, surveys
Allow Visitor to Skip
Allows users to skip this Smart Question without providing an answer.
Use this when:
The question is optional
You don’t want to block the conversation if the user doesn’t respond
Not recommended for: Mandatory fields like email, phone number, or name
Rephrase Messages
When enabled, the chatbot can automatically rephrase the question if the user doesn’t respond clearly or provides an unexpected input.
Benefits:
Improves understanding
Makes the conversation feel more natural
Reduces user confusion
💡 Best used for open-ended Smart Questions.
Include in Email Transcript
When enabled, the user’s response to this Smart Question is included in the email transcript sent to admins or team members.
Use this when:
You want to review user answers later
The response is important for follow-ups or records
Add Delay Before Message
Set a delay (in seconds) before the Smart Question is displayed.
Why use this?
Makes the chatbot feel more human
Prevents messages from appearing too quickly
Improves readability in multi-step flows
Example:
1–2 seconds→ Natural conversation pacing3+ seconds→ Emphasis or pause before important questions
P. Redirect
Add the “Redirect” component to switch into another flow.
Enter an optional message that will be shown before redirecting.
Select the destination flow from the dropdown.
Use Case: In case you want to move the user to another pre-built chat flow, this component is used.
Advanced Settings (Redirect)
The Advanced tab for the Redirect component lets you control navigation behavior and conversation pacing when sending users to another chat flow.
These settings help you maintain smooth transitions and prevent user confusion during flow changes.
Allow Back
When enabled, users can return to the previous step before the redirect occurs.
Use this when:
Users may want to review or change their input
The redirect is triggered after a decision or form step
Not recommended when:
Redirecting users to a final or confirmation flow
Redirecting to sensitive or restricted flows
Allow Visitor to Skip
Allows users to skip the redirect step and continue the current flow.
Use this when:
The redirect is optional
You are offering an alternate path or suggestion
Avoid enabling if:
The redirect is mandatory for completing the conversation
The flow logic depends on entering the next flow
Add Delay Before Redirect
Adds a short delay (in seconds) before the redirect action is triggered.
Why this matters:
Gives users time to read the message
Makes transitions feel natural
Prevents abrupt flow changes
Best practice:
1–2 seconds→ Smooth, natural transition3+ seconds→ Emphasis before important redirects
Best Practices for Redirect (Advanced)
Keep delays short to avoid frustration
Disable Skip for required redirects
Use Allow Back when redirects follow user input
Add a clear message before redirecting users to another flow
Q. API
Click “API” to integrate a third-party service.
Select or configure the API.
Add response handling for 200 (Success) and 400 (Error) states.
Map each response type to the next step in the flow.
Use Case: In case you want to connect a third-party system within the chat flow, this component is used.
Advanced Settings (API)
The Advanced tab for the API component controls message timing and provides network details required for secure API communication. These settings are especially useful when integrating with protected or internal systems.
Add Delay Before Message
Adds a delay (in seconds) before the API step is executed or displayed in the chat flow.
Why use this?
Prevents abrupt transitions
Gives users time to read the previous message
Makes API-triggered responses feel more natural
Best practices:
1–2 seconds→ Smooth conversational pacing3+ seconds→ Pause before critical actions (payments, validations)
IP Whitelisting
If your API endpoint requires IP whitelisting, you must allow requests from the following IP address:
Use this when:
Your server blocks unknown outbound requests
Your API is protected by firewall or security rules
You are integrating with enterprise or internal systems
💡 Make sure this IP is added to your server’s allowlist to avoid failed API calls.
How API Response Codes Work
The API component can route the conversation based on response status codes:
200 → Success flow
400 → Error or validation failure flow
Others → Fallback or exception handling flow
This allows you to design different chatbot paths based on real-time API results.
Best Practices for API (Advanced)
Always whitelist the BotPenguin IP before testing
Add a short delay for better UX
Handle error (400) and others paths gracefully
Log API responses when debugging complex flows
FAQs
Will the flow continue if the user doesn't respond to a required question?
No. The flow will remain on the same step until the required input is provided. Required components cannot be skipped and the conversation will not advance until the user supplies the requested information.
Can I reorder or delete a component after adding it to the flow?
Yes. You can drag components to reorder them or delete them if they are no longer needed. Before deleting, verify there are no downstream mappings or dependencies that will break as a result.
How many options can I add to Single Choice or Multiple Choice components?
You can add up to five (5) options in both Single Choice and Multiple Choice components.
Can the API component handle authentication headers and custom body parameters?
Yes. The API component supports custom headers, authentication keys (for example Bearer tokens or API keys), and configurable request body structures. Map response codes (e.g., 200, 400) to the appropriate next steps in the flow.
What happens if a user uploads an unsupported file format?
If the uploaded file format is unsupported, the bot should return a clear validation message to the user explaining accepted file types and ask for a retry. Implement server-side validation and surface a friendly error message for unsupported formats.
How do Smart Questions determine the next component?
Smart Questions use keyword-based logic. Configure one or more keywords and select a match type (Exact Match or Contains). Each keyword is mapped to a target component; when the user's response matches a keyword according to the selected match type, the mapped component is triggered.
What does Redirect do and when should I use it?
Redirect transfers the conversation to another pre-built flow within the same bot. Use Redirect to modularize journeys, reuse common sub-flows (like verification or payment), or to branch users into context-specific conversations.
How do I contact support if I need help with a chat flow?
If you still have questions for our team, write to us at [email protected]. We will respond within 48 hours.
If you still have questions for our team, write to us at [email protected]. We’ll get back to you within 48 hours.
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