Build a Notification Bot for Microsoft Teams with Teams Toolkit

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Installing Teams Toolkit into VS Code
3. Creating a new Teams app 3.1 Selecting the Notification Bot capability 3.2 Choosing a trigger for the bot
4. Authenticating Teams Toolkit with Microsoft 365 Developer Tenant
5. Running and testing the bot
6. Making code changes and seeing immediate results
7. Debugging the bot code
8. Conclusion
9. Additional Resources
10. Frequently Asked Questions

Creating a Notification Bot for Microsoft Teams using Teams Toolkit

1. Introduction

In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating a notification bot for Microsoft Teams using the Teams Toolkit. Whether you're struggling to build bots or looking to get started with developing apps for Microsoft Teams, this article will walk you through the steps to create and debug apps with ease. We assume that you have a Microsoft 365 developer tenant, Node.js version 14 or 16 installed, as well as Visual Studio Code.

2. Installing Teams Toolkit into VS Code

To get started, the first step is to install the Teams Toolkit into Visual Studio Code. Open the extensions and search for "Teams Toolkit". Select it and click on the install button. Once installed, you can proceed to create your project.

3. Creating a new Teams app

To create a new Teams app, open the Teams Toolkit and click on the "Create a new Teams app" button. This will open a wizard where you can select "Create new Teams app". In the list of capabilities, choose "Notification Bot". This template will be used to scaffold our project, allowing our bot to send messages either by receiving an HTTP request or on a specified schedule.

3.1 Selecting the Notification Bot capability

Now, select the "Timer Trigger" to send messages on a schedule. This will create a project that uses an Azure function to host our bot. Choose your preferred programming language and select the folder where you want your project to be created. Lastly, enter a name for your application, which will also be used as the project name.

3.2 Choosing a trigger for the bot

Once the project is created, the bot will send a message every 30 seconds to the locations in Microsoft Teams where it is installed. Before we see it in action, however, we need to authenticate Teams Toolkit with our Microsoft 365 developer tenant. This enables us to run and debug our bot locally.

4. Authenticating Teams Toolkit with Microsoft 365 Developer Tenant

To authenticate Teams Toolkit with your Microsoft 365 developer tenant, open the Teams Toolkit and click on "Sign in to M365". Enter your account credentials into the browser window that opens. Once successfully authenticated, return to Visual Studio Code to continue.

5. Running and testing the bot

To run the project and see the bot in action, go to the "Run and Debug" tab in Visual Studio Code. Select your preferred browser from the dropdown, then click the green play button or press F5 on your keyboard to start the bot. Teams Toolkit will start all the required services for you.

Open Microsoft Teams in your chosen browser and open a dialog to sideload the application into your tenant. Note that the initial setup process may take longer as Teams Toolkit ensures that all the required packages are installed. Once completed, the bot will send its first message to the chat.

6. Making code changes and seeing immediate results

If you want to make code changes and see the results immediately, you can do so without stopping and starting the bot. In Visual Studio Code, navigate to the bot folder that contains the source code. Open the "timertrigger.ts" file, which contains the logic executed every 30 seconds and defines the messages sent by the bot.

To make a simple change, update the "title" property value on line 22. Save the file and return to Microsoft Teams. The next message you receive will use the updated title, allowing you to see the results immediately.

7. Debugging the bot code

Visual Studio Code provides built-in debugging features that allow you to step through the running code and inspect variables. To debug your bot code, add a breakpoint at the desired line (e.g., line 20 in "timertrigger.ts"). When the breakpoint is hit, you can use the debugging features to gain insights into the code's execution.

8. Conclusion

Congratulations! You have now learned how to create, develop, and debug a notification bot for Microsoft Teams using the Teams Toolkit. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily build powerful bots and applications for Teams. Get started today and leverage the capabilities of Teams Toolkit to enhance collaboration and productivity.

9. Additional Resources

For more information and resources on developing apps for Microsoft Teams, you may find the following links helpful:

• Microsoft Teams Developer Documentation
• Teams Toolkit Documentation

10. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use any programming language for creating a notification bot with Teams Toolkit?

A: Yes, Teams Toolkit supports multiple programming languages. You can choose your preferred language while creating the project.

Q: Can I customize the bot's behavior to send messages at different time intervals?

A: Absolutely! The Teams Toolkit allows you to define the trigger and schedule for sending messages. You can easily customize these settings to Align with your requirements.

Q: Is it necessary to have a Microsoft 365 developer tenant to use Teams Toolkit?

A: Yes, a Microsoft 365 developer tenant is required for authenticating and testing your bot locally. It provides the necessary resources and environment for developing Teams apps.