# MeshCore Bot A Python bot that connects to MeshCore mesh networks via serial port, BLE, or TCP/IP. The bot responds to messages containing configured keywords, executes commands, and provides various data services including weather, solar conditions, and satellite pass information. ## Features - **Connection Methods**: Serial port, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), or TCP/IP - **Keyword Responses**: Configurable keyword-response pairs with template variables - **Command System**: Plugin-based command architecture with built-in commands - **Rate Limiting**: Global, per-user (by pubkey or name), and bot transmission rate limits to prevent spam - **User Management**: Ban/unban users with persistent storage - **Scheduled Messages**: Send messages at configured times - **Direct Message Support**: Respond to private messages - **Logging**: Console and file logging with configurable levels ### Service Plugins - **Discord Bridge**: One-way webhook bridge to post mesh messages to Discord ([docs](docs/discord-bridge.md)) - **Packet Capture**: Capture and publish packets to MQTT brokers ([docs](docs/packet-capture.md)) - **Map Uploader**: Upload node adverts to map.meshcore.dev ([docs](docs/map-uploader.md)) - **Weather Service**: Scheduled forecasts, alerts, and lightning detection ([docs](docs/weather-service.md)) ## Requirements - Python 3.7+ - MeshCore-compatible device (Heltec V3, RAK Wireless, etc.) - USB cable or BLE capability ## Installation ### Quick Start (Development) 1. Clone the repository: ```bash git clone cd meshcore-bot ``` 2. Install dependencies: ```bash pip install -r requirements.txt ``` 3. Copy and configure the bot: **Full Configuration Option**: This config.ini example enables all bot commands and provides full configuration options. ```bash cp config.ini.example config.ini # Edit config.ini with your settings ``` **Minimal Configuration Option**: For users who only want core testing commands (ping, test, path, prefix, multitest), you can use the minimal configuration instead: ```bash cp config.ini.minimal-example config.ini # Edit config.ini with your connection and bot settings ``` 4. Run the bot: ```bash python3 meshcore_bot.py ``` ### Production Installation (Systemd Service) For production deployment as a system service: 1. Install as systemd service: ```bash sudo ./install-service.sh ``` 2. Configure the bot: ```bash sudo nano /opt/meshcore-bot/config.ini ``` 3. Start the service: ```bash sudo systemctl start meshcore-bot ``` 4. Check status: ```bash sudo systemctl status meshcore-bot ``` See [Service installation](docs/service-installation.md) for detailed service installation instructions. ### Docker Deployment For containerized deployment using Docker: 1. **Create data directories and configuration**: ```bash mkdir -p data/{config,databases,logs,backups} cp config.ini.example data/config/config.ini # Edit data/config/config.ini with your settings ``` 2. **Update paths in config.ini** to use `/data/` directories: ```ini [Bot] db_path = /data/databases/meshcore_bot.db [Logging] log_file = /data/logs/meshcore_bot.log ``` 3. **Build and start with Docker Compose**: ```bash docker compose build docker compose up -d ``` Or build and start in one command: ```bash docker compose up -d --build ``` 4. **View logs**: ```bash docker-compose logs -f ``` See [Docker deployment](docs/docker.md) for detailed Docker deployment instructions, including serial port access, web viewer configuration, and troubleshooting. ## NixOS Use the Nix flake via flake.nix ```nix meshcore-bot.url = "github:agessaman/meshcore-bot/"; ``` And in your system config ```nix { imports = [inputs.meshcore-bot.nixosModules.default]; services.meshcore-bot = { enable = true; webviewer.enable = true; settings = { Connection.connection_type = "serial"; Connection.serial_port = "/dev/ttyUSB0"; Bot.bot_name = "MyBot"; }; }; } ``` ## Configuration The bot uses `config.ini` for all settings. Key configuration sections: ### Connection ```ini [Connection] connection_type = serial # serial, ble, or tcp serial_port = /dev/ttyUSB0 # Serial port path (for serial) #hostname = 192.168.1.60 # TCP hostname/IP (for TCP) #tcp_port = 5000 # TCP port (for TCP) #ble_device_name = MeshCore # BLE device name (for BLE) timeout = 30 # Connection timeout ``` ### Bot Settings ```ini [Bot] bot_name = MeshCoreBot # Bot identification name enabled = true # Enable/disable bot rate_limit_seconds = 2 # Global: min seconds between any bot reply bot_tx_rate_limit_seconds = 1.0 # Min seconds between bot transmissions per_user_rate_limit_seconds = 5 # Per-user: min seconds between replies to same user (pubkey or name) per_user_rate_limit_enabled = true startup_advert = flood # Send advert on startup ``` ### Keywords ```ini [Keywords] # Format: keyword = response_template # Variables: {sender}, {connection_info}, {snr}, {timestamp}, {path} test = "Message received from {sender} | {connection_info}" help = "Bot Help: test, ping, help, hello, cmd, wx, aqi, sun, moon, solar, hfcond, satpass, dice, roll, joke, dadjoke, sports, channels, path, prefix, repeater, stats, alert" ``` ### Channels ```ini [Channels] monitor_channels = general,test,emergency # Channels to monitor respond_to_dms = true # Enable DM responses # Optional: limit channel responses to certain keywords (DM gets all triggers) # channel_keywords = help,ping,test,hello ``` ### External Data APIs ```ini [External_Data] # API keys for external services n2yo_api_key = # Satellite pass data airnow_api_key = # Air quality data ``` ### Alert Command ```ini [Alert_Command] enabled = true # Enable/disable alert command max_incident_age_hours = 24 # Maximum age for incidents (hours) max_distance_km = 20.0 # Maximum distance for proximity queries (km) agency.city. = # City-specific agency IDs (e.g., agency.city.seattle = 17D20,17M15) agency.county. = # County-specific agency IDs (aggregates all city agencies) ``` ### Logging ```ini [Logging] log_level = INFO # DEBUG, INFO, WARNING, ERROR, CRITICAL log_file = meshcore_bot.log # Log file path colored_output = true # Enable colored console output ``` ## Usage ### Running the Bot ```bash python meshcore_bot.py ``` ### Available Commands For a comprehensive list of all available commands with examples and detailed explanations, see [Command reference](docs/command-reference.md). Quick reference: - **Basic:** `test`, `ping`, `help`, `hello`, `cmd` - **Information:** `wx`, `gwx`, `aqi`, `sun`, `moon`, `solar`, `solarforecast`, `hfcond`, `satpass`, `channels` - **Emergency:** `alert` - **Gaming:** `dice`, `roll`, `magic8` - **Entertainment:** `joke`, `dadjoke`, `hacker`, `catfact` - **Sports:** `sports` - **MeshCore Utility:** `path`, `prefix`, `stats`, `multitest`, `webviewer` - **Management (DM only):** `repeater`, `advert`, `feed`, `announcements`, `greeter` ## Message Response Templates Keyword responses support these template variables: - `{sender}` - Sender's node ID - `{connection_info}` - Connection details (direct/routed) - `{snr}` - Signal-to-noise ratio - `{timestamp}` - Message timestamp - `{path}` - Message routing path ### Adding Newlines To add newlines in keyword responses, use `\n` (single backslash + n): ```ini [Keywords] test = "Line 1\nLine 2\nLine 3" ``` This will output: ``` Line 1 Line 2 Line 3 ``` To use a literal backslash + n, use `\\n` (double backslash + n). Other escape sequences: `\t` (tab), `\r` (carriage return), `\\` (literal backslash) Example: ```ini [Keywords] test = "Message received from {sender} | {connection_info}" ping = "Pong!" help = "Bot Help: test, ping, help, hello, cmd, wx, gwx, aqi, sun, moon, solar, solarforecast, hfcond, satpass, dice, roll, joke, dadjoke, sports, channels, path, prefix, repeater, stats, multitest, alert, webviewer" ``` ## Hardware Setup ### Serial Connection 1. Flash MeshCore firmware to your device 2. Connect via USB 3. Configure serial port in `config.ini`: ```ini [Connection] connection_type = serial serial_port = /dev/ttyUSB0 # Linux # serial_port = COM3 # Windows # serial_port = /dev/tty.usbserial-* # macOS ``` ### BLE Connection 1. Ensure your MeshCore device supports BLE 2. Configure BLE in `config.ini`: ```ini [Connection] connection_type = ble ble_device_name = MeshCore ``` ### TCP Connection 1. Ensure your MeshCore device has TCP/IP connectivity (e.g., via gateway or bridge) 2. Configure TCP in `config.ini`: ```ini [Connection] connection_type = tcp hostname = 192.168.1.60 # IP address or hostname tcp_port = 5000 # TCP port (default: 5000) ``` ## Troubleshooting ### Common Issues 1. **Serial Port Not Found**: - Check device connection - Verify port name in config - List available ports: `python -c "import serial.tools.list_ports; print([p.device for p in serial.tools.list_ports.comports()])"` 2. **BLE Connection Issues**: - Ensure device is discoverable - Check device name in config - Verify BLE permissions 3. **TCP Connection Issues**: - Verify hostname/IP address is correct - Check that TCP port is open and accessible - Ensure network connectivity to the device - Verify the MeshCore device supports TCP connections - Check firewall settings if connection fails 4. **Message Parsing Errors**: - Enable DEBUG logging for detailed information - Check meshcore library documentation for protocol details 5. **Rate Limiting**: - **Global**: `rate_limit_seconds` — minimum time between any two bot replies - **Per-user**: `per_user_rate_limit_seconds` and `per_user_rate_limit_enabled` — minimum time between replies to the same user (user identified by public key when available, else sender name; channel senders often matched by name) - **Bot TX**: `bot_tx_rate_limit_seconds` — minimum time between bot transmissions on the mesh - Check logs for rate limiting messages ### Debug Mode Enable debug logging: ```ini [Logging] log_level = DEBUG ``` ## Architecture The bot uses a modular plugin architecture: - **Core modules** (`modules/`): Shared utilities and core functionality - **Command plugins** (`modules/commands/`): Individual command implementations - **Service plugins** (`modules/service_plugins/`): Background services (Discord bridge, packet capture, etc.) - **Plugin loaders**: Dynamic discovery and loading of command and service plugins - **Message handler**: Processes incoming messages and routes to appropriate handlers ### Adding New Plugins **Command Plugin:** 1. Create a new file in `modules/commands/` 2. Inherit from `BaseCommand` 3. Implement the `execute()` method 4. The plugin loader will automatically discover and load it ```python from .base_command import BaseCommand from ..models import MeshMessage class MyCommand(BaseCommand): name = "mycommand" keywords = ['mycommand'] description = "My custom command" async def execute(self, message: MeshMessage) -> bool: await self.send_response(message, "Hello from my command!") return True ``` **Service Plugin:** 1. Create a new file in `modules/service_plugins/` 2. Inherit from `BaseServicePlugin` 3. Implement `start()` and `stop()` methods 4. Add configuration section to `config.ini.example` ## Contributing 1. Fork the repository 2. Create a feature branch 3. Make your changes 4. Submit a pull request against the dev branch ## License This project is licensed under the MIT License. ## Acknowledgments - [MeshCore Project](https://github.com/meshcore-dev/MeshCore) for the mesh networking protocol - Some commands adapted from MeshingAround bot by K7MHI Kelly Keeton 2024 - Packet capture service based on [meshcore-packet-capture](https://github.com/agessaman/meshcore-packet-capture) by agessaman - [meshcore-decoder](https://github.com/michaelhart/meshcore-decoder) by Michael Hart for client-side packet decoding and decryption in the web viewer