Botkit

Leading open-source chatbot development framework integrated into Microsoft's ecosystem

Botkit is an open-source developer toolkit designed to simplify the creation of chatbots and conversational applications across multiple messaging platforms. Originally created by Howdy.ai, Botkit provides developers with a comprehensive framework and SDK for building bots that can operate on platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Facebook Messenger, Twilio, and web chat interfaces. The toolkit includes pre-built connectors, conversation management tools, and natural language processing integrations that enable developers to create sophisticated conversational experiences without building infrastructure from scratch. In 2017, Microsoft acquired Howdy.ai and integrated Botkit into its Bot Framework ecosystem, making it part of Microsoft's broader conversational AI strategy. Under Microsoft's stewardship, Botkit continues to operate as an open-source project that serves developers building chatbots and conversational interfaces. The toolkit remains particularly popular among developers seeking to create multi-platform chatbots with a focus on ease of implementation and flexibility. Botkit's integration with Microsoft's Azure Bot Service and other conversational AI tools has expanded its capabilities while maintaining its core mission of simplifying bot development for developers of all skill levels.