Wikipedia:Bots/Noticeboard

Bots noticeboard

Here we coordinate and discuss Wikipedia issues related to bots and other programs interacting with the MediaWiki software. Bot operators are the main users of this noticeboard, but even if you are not one, your comments will be welcome. Just make sure you are aware about our bot policy and know where to post your issue.

Do not post here if you came to

• discuss non-urgent bot issues, bugs and suggestions for improvement. Do that at the bot operator's talk page
• discuss urgent/major bot issues. Do that according to instructions at WP:BOTISSUE
• discuss general questions about the MediaWiki software and syntax. We have the village pump's technical section for that
• request approval for your new bot. Here is where you should do it
• request new functionality for bots. Share your ideas at the dedicated page

Hi

Hi Bot & I'm curious to know that how bots edit The2KKidRulez (talk) 13:14, 23 December 2024 (UTC)

See Help:Creating a bot#How does a Wikipedia bot work? – SD0001 (talk) 15:15, 23 December 2024 (UTC)

Bot not running - creator inactive

Hi! I noticed that the Rick Bot is not running correctly and has not been active since November 30th. Its creator, Rick Block is also largely inactive and hasn't stopped by since November 4th (or responded to a message on his talk). He's had long periods of inactivity before, which ordinarily isn't a problem since the bot keeps on trucking. The bot normally runs daily and does some useful tasks, including updating the count of admins and CFD archives. Is there an established procedure to step in and fix a bot or duplicate its functions if an operator isn't available? Thanks! —Ganesha811 (talk) 19:35, 31 December 2024 (UTC)

Anyone is welcome to create a "backup" bot or similar if a bot operator is AFK and otherwise not responding. If the source code is freely available then this can be as simple as using the code and filing a new BRFA, or it could mean needing to re-write it all from scratch before filing a BRFA. Either way, unless the bot is directly handed off to someone (unlikely if the operator is away) then you'll need a BRFA to take over the task, even if only temporarily. Primefac (talk) 13:38, 1 January 2025 (UTC)

The code is availabe at User:Rick Bot/scripts. It doesn't look too hard to set up. — Qwerfjkltalk 13:00, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

Thanks to you both for the answers. Hopefully Rick will be back soon, but if he isn't, I think it makes sense for another bot operator to set up duplicative functions and get approval so these tasks can be handled. —Ganesha811 (talk) 13:58, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

I can help with the admin activity updates. I can write new code and file a BRFA if that works for you. I am temporarily taking on this task, so if anyone is interested in taking over, feel free to contact me for the source code. – DreamRimmer (talk) 15:16, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

That works for me (not that I have any actual authority in this matter lol!). Thanks for stepping up to take over those functions. If anyone else has the expertise or time to take over the bot's other tasks, that would be very helpful as well. —Ganesha811 (talk) 16:45, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

Alright, I will file a BRFA shortly. – DreamRimmer (talk) 16:50, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

BRFA filed – DreamRimmer (talk) 19:22, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

PearBOT

Hi, please forgive me if this isn't the proper way to do this here. I was going to create a new section, but noticed this one and I have the exact same question. I recently realized that PearBOT hasn't been running correctly since February 2024, and it's creator, Trialpears, doesn't seem to be active anymore. More specifically, I'm personally interested in the functions of PearBOT 3.

So anyway, my question, as this is all beyond my skill set/knowledge base. Would this bot specially need a re-write, or just a new BRFA filing with the existing source code? Winderz IoT (talk) 19:58, 11 January 2025 (UTC) Edit: Tagging @Pppery: as I thought you might be interested in this topic as well. Winderz IoT (talk) 20:48, 11 January 2025 (UTC)

I have restarted PearBOT and updated the code to work with the latest versions of Pywikibot and Python. Please take a look at the edits and let me know if you notice any issues. @Winderz IoT – DreamRimmer (talk) 14:38, 12 January 2025 (UTC)

Thank you so much! Seems like it is working well! Honestly a bit of a relief to not have this on the todo list. Trialpears (talk) 17:08, 12 January 2025 (UTC)

Thank you both for all the help! I'd be completely lost otherwise, 😅. I wasn't sure if this bot would ever work again, so really glad to see it working now, certainly makes things a bit easier/better. Furthermore, I quickly looked at the edits, I'm not noticing any obvious issues so far, seems to be working as expected, so much appreciated. @DreamRimmer @Trialpears

Also, @Trialpears, I've dealt with depression myself, so I know the feeling, but it can get better. Oh, and no worries about any inconvenience on my part at least to be clear, we're all volunteers after all :). Winderz IoT (talk) 02:08, 13 January 2025 (UTC)

If someone takes this over with their own bot, it will need a new BRFA, if only to ensure that everything is working as intended. Primefac (talk) 20:01, 11 January 2025 (UTC)

Thanks for the quick response. Yeah, I'm hoping someone with a better knowledge of this than myself could take this over. Winderz IoT (talk) 20:48, 11 January 2025 (UTC)

Oh crap, when I was first looking at PearBOT I didn't notice that only some PearBOTs have their source code published it seems, my bad. PearBOT 3s source seems to be missing. Or am I just a newb who's not finding it? Winderz IoT (talk) 05:31, 12 January 2025 (UTC)

It's available at User:PearBOT/Template cache/source. – DreamRimmer (talk) 05:56, 12 January 2025 (UTC)

Depression is rough. I don't have the energy to do all that much these days and when I do Wikipedia is very low priority. I'm happy to add anyone to the tool forge project if anyone wants. I believe the only thing that is broken is that the scheduler system changed and I apparently failed to update it properly. Sorry for all the inconvenience I've caused. Trialpears (talk) 10:37, 12 January 2025 (UTC)

@Trialpears: I can fix and maintain it if you can add me. – DreamRimmer (talk) 10:41, 12 January 2025 (UTC)

@DreamRimmer I believe I managed to add you as a maintainer. Feel free to do anything you want with the stuff there. I believe the infobox request task also is in the same boat but that might be moot after all the WikiProject banner redesigns. I really haven't kept up. Trialpears (talk) 11:05, 12 January 2025 (UTC)

@Trialpears: I think you added me to the wrong tool; it should be pearbot, not pearbot2. – DreamRimmer (talk) 12:25, 12 January 2025 (UTC)

Right, should be fixed now. Trialpears (talk) 12:34, 12 January 2025 (UTC)

Apology to the community (MolecularPilot)

• MolecularBot (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

I am very sorry for answering requests on WP:BOTREQ for small one-off tasks without seeking a BRFA. After reading somewhere that tasks with less than 700 edits could be just done if there is consensus, I was confused but now realise this is an AWB only rule. However, this is no excuse.

After the requested minor planet task (500 edits approx, RM consensus) and requested school SVG logo categorisation (300 edits approx, general rules of subcats consensus), DreamRimmer clarified to me on Talk that tasks with Python or a bot script outside of bot userspace always require a BRFA, even if supervised and that I was getting confused with the AWB rule. I then promised to file BRFAs for all my scripts.

When moving a botreq thread to awbreq, I saw Whatamidoing (not pinged as uninvolved in this) had made a request that I could fufil, as I know about psychology so could assemble the list of pages, 227 to be exact. I'm on mac so I can't use AWB, so I made a script to fufil this task and filed a BRFA as requested by DR for all my scripts. (Note that this one was automatic, unlike the other edits which were done with supervised scripts).

However, Primefac declined this as it was too small a task and is best done with AWB, not a script, and then promptly blocked the bot for the unapproved minor planet and school logo tasks, also disabling requested WP:EXEMPTBOT AfC and SPI reporting tasks.

So i am here to sincerely apoloigise for running scripts to try and help people (still, not an excuse) without a WP:BRFA, and for then opening a BRfA when AWB would have been needed. If wanted by the community for an unblock, I agree to a 3 month topic ban from helping people with nom-exempt tasks on botreq or awbreq. If I have lost the communities trust as a botop, I will also stop all tasks on toolforge and send the code to someone else. I am very sorry again. 2001:8003:4A10:601:7A7B:9C3B:3071:213D (talk) 21:35, 1 January 2025 (UTC)

Aso noting that I'm not blocked, but my bot MolecularBot is. I'm not logged out for block evasion, it's just that I cant log in right now but wanted to get an apology out for my poor behavouir to the community as soon as posible. Thank you to everyone who helped me on my Talk, and to the wider community for your understanding. 2001:8003:4A10:601:7A7B:9C3B:3071:213D (talk) 21:38, 1 January 2025 (UTC)

Please use your account to communicate. Regarding the bot block, you can file a BRFA once you have a better task for your bot. If BAG approves it, your bot will be unblocked. Just make sure to file BRFAs if you plan to run it outside your user page. – DreamRimmer (talk) 02:01, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

Hi DreamRimmer, sorry I was at the library so didn't feel comfortable logging in! Can it be unblocked to run the AfC and SPI WP:EXEMPT tasks, if that's okay? Or should I file a BRFA even though they are exempt! Thank you and sorry for causing all this drama by not realizing that AWB had special rules for BRFA exemption and it didn't apply to all semi-automated/supervised scripts. MolecularPilot ^{🧪️✈️} 02:38, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

Also 100% okay with the block being modified to a p-block from mainspace, as all the tasks only need to be within userspace! Thank you! :) MolecularPilot ^{🧪️✈️} 02:54, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

AWB edits are "semi-automated", meaning that the operator glances at each suggested edit and approves it. Semi-automated edits are allowed. Bots are, by their nature, "fully automated". Anything fully automated, even when supervised, needs a BRFA, I think, except for userspace editing.

When Primefac sees your post, I think your bot is likely to get unblocked. You seem like you understand now so should be all good :) –Novem Linguae (talk) 03:50, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

Thank you so much! I just had a little setup like it was a pywikibot script and it would tell me "do you want to make this change" for each page and I could press Y or N in the terminal, but now I understand why it is wrong. MolecularPilot ^{🧪️✈️} 03:52, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

You can use Pywikibot scripts on WP:PAWS with your main account at a slow edit rate, similar to AWB, if only a few pages are affected. It must be properly supervised. Please be aware that you are responsible for any mistakes that might occur. I don't recommend using PAWS due to the recent block and related issues, but I just wanted to share this. – DreamRimmer (talk) 04:11, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

Ohh PAWS looks cool, thank you for showing me, it's basically what I was doing but on Jupyter instead of my laptop. Using PAWS, do I have to configure the Y/N prompt for each edit as I did when using the script on my laptop, and because that still caused people to get upset is there any other prompts/code I need to add to make it "supervised". Also why don't you recommend it, do you prefer AWB/JWB? Thank you! :) MolecularPilot ^{🧪️✈️} 04:15, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

Depending on the task, to fall under WP:SEMIAUTOMATED you should probably be looking at a diff or preview of some sort, not just answering "Y" (it's unclear to me what exactly what your process was). The edits should also indicate in some manner that they're semi-automated; usually this is by including mention of that in the edit summary, although tags might serve in some cases too. You should also code it to abort or notify you if anyone posts on your talk page, so you can react immediately if someone complains, and you should limit your rate both to avoid flooding watchlists and to give people time to react. Anomie⚔ 04:56, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

Thank you for your help! I had it like it showed a diff, but only the lines changed (or for moves old title -> new title) and used the +bot flagged account to prevent flooding, but the talk page notification, rate limiting to give people time to respond and mentioning it in the edit summary are super smart ideas, thanks again! :) MolecularPilot ^{🧪️✈️} 05:03, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

Do remember that the bot-flagged account may only be used to make BRFA-approved (or WP:BOTEXEMPT) edits, no matter if semi-automated or not. Anomie⚔ 05:06, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

Thanks for the reminder, and helping me figure out all the policies! :) MolecularPilot ^{🧪️✈️} 05:11, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

It sounds like you understand the issues around this situation. I would suggest -- if you want an AWB-specific account used for semi-automated editing that doesn't clog your own contribution history -- that you create an AWB-specific account (see e.g. Usernamekiran (AWB)). If we are otherwise all in agreement that your bot will only be used for BRFA-approved tasks (and the usual user-space edits which are exempt) then I am fine with unblocking the bot. Please let me know. Primefac (talk) 08:52, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

Thank you very much for your time and understanding Primefac, I know now to not use the bot account for semi-automated edits (only for fully-automated, BRFA approved or exempt edits). :) MolecularPilot ^{🧪️✈️} 09:10, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

Glad to hear it. If you do have any questions in the future please feel free to ask a botop/BAG member or post here. Primefac (talk) 09:32, 2 January 2025 (UTC)