WikiQueer:Bots/Requests for approval

If you want to run a bot on the English WikiQueer, you must first get it approved. To do so, follow the instructions below to add a request. If you are not familiar with programming it may be a good idea to ask someone else to run a bot for you, rather than running your own.

Instructions for bot operators

I Before applying for approval You will need to create an account for your bot if you haven't already done so. Click here when logged in to create the account, linking it to yours. (If you do not create the bot account while logged in, it is likely to be blocked as a possible sockpuppet or unauthorised bot until you verify ownership) Ensure that you have read the bot policy and that your bot is compliant with it, and that your idea isn't listed as a frequently denied bot. Create a userpage for your bot, linking to your userpage (this is commonly done using the {{bot}} template) and describing its functions. You may also include an 'emergency shutoff button' (template here) just in case anything goes wrong. If your task could be controversial (e.g. most bots making non-maintenance edits to articles and most bots posting messages on user talk pages), seek consensus for the task in the appropriate forums. Common places to start include WQ:Village pump (proposals) and the talk pages of the relevant policies, guidelines, templates, and/or WikiProjects. Link to this discussion from your request for approval. II Filing the application Replace BotName with your bot's user name in the box below and click the button. If this is a request for an additional task, put a task number as well (e.g. BotName 2). Complete the questions on the resulting page and save it. Your request must now be added to the correct section of the main approvals page: Click here and add {{BRFA}} to the top of the list, directly below the comment line. For a first request: use {{BRFA|bot name||Open}} For an additional task request: use {{BRFA|bot name|task number|Open}} III During the approvals process During the process, an approvals group member may approve a trial for your bot (typically after allowing time for community input) and move the request to this section. Run the bot for the specified number of edits/time period, then add {{BotTrialComplete}} to the request page and move the request to the 'trial complete' section by moving the {{BRFA}} template that applies to your bot (it helps if you also link to the bot's contributions, and comment on any errors that may have occurred). If you feel that your request is being overlooked (no BAG attention for ~1 week) you can add {{BAG assistance needed}} to the page. However, please do not use it after every comment! At any time during the approvals process, you may withdraw your request by adding {{BotWithdrawn}} to your bot's approval page. IV After the approvals process After the trial edits have been reviewed and enough time has passed for any more discussion, a BAG member will approve or deny the request appropriately. For approved requests: The request will be listed here. If necessary, a bureaucrat will flag the bot within a couple of days and you can then run the task fully (it's best to wait for the flag, to avoid cluttering recent changes). If the bot already has a flag, or is to run without one, you may start the task when ready. For denied/expired/withdrawn requests: The request will be listed at the bottom of the main BRFA page in the relevant section. It is also good practice to list your bot on the bot status page to let other WikiQueerians know about your bot and what it is doing.

Instructions for approvals group members

Approving a trial Before granting a trial, consider whether the task could be controversial (e.g. most bots making non-maintenance edits to articles and most bots posting messages on user talk pages). If so, and the request does not already link to a discussion showing consensus in an appropriate forum (or silence after a reasonable waiting period), use {{BOTREQ|advertise}} to request that that be done. When you are satisfied that enough time has passed for discussion and (if relevant) that any technical issues have been resolved, use {{BotTrial}} to approve a trial run. AnomieBOT should then move the request from the 'open' section to the trial section, and also change the last parameter of {{BRFA}} from 'Open' to 'Trial'. Approving/denying a request When you feel enough time has passed after the trial for discussion/analysis/improvements, and are ready to approve/deny the request (the procedure is the same for expired/withdrawn requests), add {{subst:BT|STATUS|BOT_NAME_AND_TASK_NUMBER}} (where STATUS is Approved, Speedy, Denied, Withdrawn or Expired) to the top of the request page, replacing Category:WikiQueer bot requests for approval and the code surrounding it. Make any final comments along with a relevant status template (listed here), and add {{subst:BB}} to the bottom of the page. Archival AnomieBOT will typically take care of the below; these instructions are retained for posterity and in case of any interruption in bot service. As a best practice, watchlist the relevant pages and keep an eye to ensure the bot does the needful. After closing the BRFA, you'll need to remove the BRFA template from whichever section it is in on the main requests page (tip: copy the template to the clipboard for use in the next step) and then archive it in the appropriate section: For approved requests where a bot flag is required: Click here, and add {{BRFA|BOT_NAME|TASK_NUMBER (if needed)|Approved|~~~~~}} to the top of the list. For approved requests where the bot is already flagged: Click the above link and add {{subst:BRFAA|BOT_NAME|TASK_NUMBER (if needed)|Flagged|~~~~~}}. For approved requests where the bot is going to run unflagged: Click the above link and add {{subst:BRFAA|BOT_NAME|TASK_NUMBER (if needed)|Unflagged|~~~~~}}. For denied requests: Click here and add {{BRFA|BOT_NAME|TASK_NUMBER (if needed)|Denied|~~~~~}} to the top of the list. For expired/withdrawn requests: Click here and add {{BRFA|BOT_NAME|TASK_NUMBER (if needed)|Withdrawn/Expired|~~~~~}} to the top of the list.

Bot Name	Status	Created	Last editor	Date/Time	Last BAG editor	Date/Time

Approved requests

Bots that have been approved for operations after a successful BRFA will be listed here for informational purposes. No other approval action is required for these bots. Recently approved requests can be found here (edit).

Denied requests

Bots that have been denied for operations will be listed here for informational purposes for at least 7 days before being archived. No other action is required for these bots.

Expired/withdrawn requests

These requests have either expired, as information required by the operator was not provided, or been withdrawn. These tasks are not authorized to run, but such lack of authorization does not necessarily follow from a finding as to merit. A bot that, having been approved for testing, was not tested by an editor, or one for which the results of testing were not posted, for example, would appear here. Bot requests should not be placed here if there is an active discussion ongoing above. Operators whose requests have expired may reactivate their requests at anytime. The following list shows recent requests (if any) that have expired, listed here for informational purposes for at least 7 days before being archived.