Building a Chatbot in 30 Minutes
We build a minimal support chatbot: a chat UI, a tiny backend proxy that holds the secret, and a system prompt that keeps answers helpful.
System prompt first 🧠
The system prompt defines personality. A good support prompt lists what you do, your tone, and when to admit you do not know.
The proxy backend
Keep the API token on the server. The frontend calls your proxy, the proxy calls us. Never expose tokens in the browser.
Time breakdown
| Task | Minutes |
|---|---|
| Chat UI | 10 |
| Proxy endpoint | 10 |
| System prompt + polish | 10 |
Ship it 🚢
Deploy anywhere that can run a small Node or Python server. You now have a working chatbot built in half an hour.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a framework to build it?
No. A plain Node.js or Python server with a single proxy endpoint is enough.
Where should the API key live?
On the backend only. Never expose your token in browser-side code.
How do I stop the chatbot from making things up?
Write a tight system prompt and let the bot admit when it does not know the answer.
Can I add conversation memory?
Yes. Keep a short message history per session and send it with each request.