# Start Template The start template is the simplest possible bot - a greeting flow that demonstrates the core interaction pattern of BASIC: greeting users and responding to their input. ## Topic: Basic Greeting & Help Flow This template is perfect for: - Learning BASIC fundamentals - Simple FAQ bots - Quick demos - Starting point for more complex bots ## The Code ```basic REM Basic greeting and help flow SET user_name = "Guest" TALK "Hello, " + user_name + "! How can I help you today?" HEAR user_input IF user_input = "help" THEN TALK "Sure, I can assist with account info, orders, or support." ELSE TALK "Sorry, I didn't understand. Type 'help' for options." END IF ``` ## Sample Dialogs These conversations show how the start template works in real-world scenarios. ### Dialog 1: User Asks for Help
Today
### Dialog 2: Unknown Input
### Dialog 3: Personalized Greeting (Enhanced Version) When you add user detection, the experience improves:
## Keywords Used | Keyword | Purpose | |---------|---------| | `SET` | Assign a value to a variable | | `TALK` | Send a message to the user | | `HEAR` | Wait for and capture user input | | `IF/ELSE` | Conditional branching based on input | ## How It Works 1. **Variable Setup**: `SET` creates a variable to hold the user's name 2. **Greeting**: `TALK` sends the welcome message 3. **Input Capture**: `HEAR` waits for user response 4. **Response Logic**: `IF/ELSE` determines what to say back ## Enhanced Version Here's the same template enhanced with LLM for natural understanding: ```basic REM Smart greeting flow with LLM SET user_name = "Guest" TALK "Hello, " + user_name + "! How can I help you today?" HEAR user_input ' Let LLM understand intent intent = LLM "Classify this user message into one category: help, account, orders, support, other. Message: " + user_input SWITCH intent CASE "help" TALK "I can assist with account info, orders, or support." CASE "account" TALK "Let me pull up your account information..." CASE "orders" TALK "I'll check on your recent orders..." CASE "support" TALK "Connecting you with our support team..." DEFAULT response = LLM "Respond helpfully to: " + user_input TALK response END SWITCH ``` ## Customization Ideas ### Add User Detection ```basic ' Get user info if available user_name = GET BOT MEMORY "user_" + user_id + "_name" IF user_name = "" THEN TALK "Hi there! What's your name?" HEAR user_name SET BOT MEMORY "user_" + user_id + "_name", user_name END IF TALK "Welcome back, " + user_name + "!" ``` ### Add Quick Reply Buttons ```basic ADD SUGGESTION "Account Info" ADD SUGGESTION "My Orders" ADD SUGGESTION "Get Support" TALK "What would you like help with?" HEAR choice ``` ### Add Time-Based Greeting ```basic hour = HOUR(NOW()) IF hour < 12 THEN greeting = "Good morning" ELSE IF hour < 18 THEN greeting = "Good afternoon" ELSE greeting = "Good evening" END IF TALK greeting + ", " + user_name + "!" ``` ## Related Templates - [enrollment.bas](./enrollment.md) - Multi-step data collection - [auth.bas](./auth.md) - User authentication patterns ---