What are Apps and Bots?
Install Apps and Bots to add features to your community.
Apps and Bots are only available on Desktop.
Apps and Bots are custom software available in the Root App Store. Both run on Root's servers, so there's nothing for you to host or maintain. All Apps and Bots are free for a limited time.
What is a Root App?
A Root App is a full-featured application with a graphical user interface. When installed, it creates a dedicated channel where members interact with it using buttons, forms, panels, and real-time updates.
Apps are ideal for experiences that need visual interfaces, like:
- Task boards with drag-and-drop cards
- Event calendars with sign-up forms
- Interactive dashboards and charts
- Games and collaborative canvases
- File browsers and media galleries
Example Apps
| App | Description |
|---|---|
| Raid Planner | Schedule raids, manage rosters, and track sign-ups for MMO guilds |
| Task Tracker | Organize projects with tasks, tags, and assignments |
What is a Root Bot?
A Root Bot is a lightweight, text-based application. Bots don't get their own channel. Instead, they listen for events in your community (like new messages or new members) and respond by posting messages, managing content, or automating tasks in existing channels.
Bots are ideal for background automation, like:
- Welcoming new members with a message
- Moderating content automatically
- Posting scheduled announcements
- Responding to commands in chat
- Integrating with external services
Example Bots
| Bot | Description |
|---|---|
| Welcome Bot | Sends a personalized greeting when someone joins |
| Reminder Bot | Posts scheduled reminders to a channel |
| Moderation Bot | Automatically removes messages that violate rules |
Apps vs Bots
| Feature | App | Bot |
|---|---|---|
| User interface | Full GUI in a dedicated channel | Text-only, no dedicated channel |
| User interaction | Buttons, forms, panels, real-time visuals | Chat messages and commands |
| Best for | Visual experiences, interactive tools | Background automation, chat responses |
| Complexity | More features, more setup options | Simpler, faster to configure |
Both Apps and Bots:
- Are installed from the Root App Store
- Run on Root's servers (nothing to host)
- Can access community data (members, channels, messages)
- Can have configurable settings
- Require the Manage Apps permission to install
Many communities use a combination. For example, you might install the Task Tracker App for project management and a Welcome Bot to greet new members.