Test-Scratch-Wiki:Bot Requests/Instructions

Bots are not a status symbol
Before requesting a bot, remember that bots are not a status symbol. Many users want to make bots and try to think of a purpose afterwards. Unless you already know a specific tasks that should be automated, do not request a bot. In addition, do not ask around for tasks that you think should be automated.

Things to keep in mind
'''Does your bot only read the Wiki and not directly submit edits? If so, you do NOT need to submit a bot request! You do not need an account at all to read API data.'''

Before you make your request, please consider the following:
 * Is your bot's task necessary?
 * Is your bot's task already done by a human or could it easily be done by a human?
 * If so, is there any reason that a bot would be better than a human (e.g. too repetitive, humans are too unreliable)?
 * Is your bot's task one time use (or is the task finished quickly)?
 * Is your bot's task similar to the task of an existing bot or could it easily be added to an existing bot?
 * Would your bot require making a large volume of requests rapidly?
 * Would your bot help the Wiki as a whole, and not just a few specific users or articles?
 * Would your bot have the potential to cause problems if anything goes wrong?
 * If your bot is designed to fix a problem, is it a significant problem that happens repeatedly or something rare?
 * Would your bot break any guidelines?

Your answers to the above questions should be consistent with the following:
 * Yes
 * Already done: either one, easily done: no
 * Yes
 * No
 * No
 * No
 * Yes
 * No
 * No
 * No

How to submit a request

 * Leave a comment at the bottom of the page explaining what your bot would do (click the "add a new section here" link)
 * Add a row to the table with relevant info about your bot (set status to "Unreviewed")

What to do next

 * Wait for a reply to your other messages
 * Once a consensus is reached, proceed according to the status
 * If your status is set as "Test on main account", write your bot script and do a few test edits on your main account, then comment them on the discussion thread at the bottom.
 * Wait for other users to review the test edits, then if the request is accepted, submit an account request for your bot.

What statuses mean

 * Unreviewed - please wait until someone comments on your discussion
 * Under discussion - please wait until the discussion comes to a consensus on how to proceed
 * Inactive - the discussion has suddenly stopped, and a consensus has not yet been given
 * Rejected - do not make your bot, it was not deemed acceptable under Wiki standards
 * Make changes - make any changes listed in the "comments" section
 * Test on main account - the idea has been approved, write your script and test it on your main account
 * Approved - your test edits have been approved, submit an account request for your bot account

Code evaluation
Other users may ask you to provide the code for your bot. This is so that they can check it for accuracy. When providing the code, please provide everything that you have (except passwords, of course) so that it can be checked more thoroughly. Please note that it is forbidden for users to steal the code you provide and add it to existing bots.

How to respond to a request

 * For general feedback and discussion, leave them in the comment thread at the bottom. If you are the first one to look at the request, change the status to "Under discussion"
 * Once a consensus has been reached, decide whether the request is rejected, needs changes, or is approved. If it is rejected, set status to rejected. If changes need to be made, set the status to "Make changes" and outline the changes in the "Comment" section of the table. If it is accepted, set the status to "Test on main account"
 * Wait until the user makes tests, then respond accordingly (either accept or ask user to refine more)
 * If a request is rejected, explain why in the comments