Viber Python Bot API

Use this library to develop a bot for Viber platform. The library is available on GitHub as well as a package on PyPI.

This package can be imported using pip by adding the following to your requirements.txt:

viberbot==1.0.11

License

This library is released under the terms of the Apache 2.0 license. See License for more information.

Library Prerequisites

1. python >= 2.7.0
2. An Active Viber account on a platform which supports Public Accounts/ bots (iOS/Android). This account will automatically be set as the account administrator during the account creation process.
3. Active Public Account/ bot - Create an account here.
4. Account authentication token - unique account identifier used to validate your account in all API requests. Once your account is created your authentication token will appear in the account’s “edit info” screen (for admins only). Each request posted to Viber by the account will need to contain the token.
5. Webhook - Please use a server endpoint URL that supports HTTPS. If you deploy on your own custom server, you'll need a trusted (ca.pem) certificate, not self-signed. Read our blog post on how to test your bot locally.

Let's get started!

Installing

Creating a basic Viber bot is simple:

1. Install the library with pip pip install viberbot
2. Import viberbot.api library to your project
3. Create a Public Account or bot and use the API key from https://developers.viber.com
4. Configure your bot as described in the documentation below
5. Start your web server
6. Call set_webhook(url) with your web server url

A simple Echo Bot

Firstly, let's import and configure our bot

from viberbot import Api
from viberbot.api.bot_configuration import BotConfiguration

bot_configuration = BotConfiguration(
	name='PythonSampleBot',
	avatar='http://viber.com/avatar.jpg',
	auth_token='YOUR_AUTH_TOKEN_HERE'
)
viber = Api(bot_configuration)

Create an HTTPS server

Next thing you should do is starting a https server. and yes, as we said in the prerequisites it has to be https server. Create a server however you like, for example with Flask:

from flask import Flask, request, Response

app = Flask(__name__)

@app.route('/incoming', methods=['POST'])
def incoming():
	logger.debug("received request. post data: {0}".format(request.get_data()))
	# handle the request here
	return Response(status=200)

context = ('server.crt', 'server.key')
app.run(host='0.0.0.0', port=443, debug=True, ssl_context=context)

Setting a webhook

After the server is up and running you can set a webhook. Viber will push messages sent to this URL. web server should be internet-facing.

viber.set_webhook('https://mybotwebserver.com:443/')

Logging

This library uses the standard python logger. If you want to see its logs you can configure the logger:

logger = logging.getLogger()
logger.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
handler = logging.StreamHandler()
formatter = logging.Formatter('%(asctime)s - %(name)s - %(levelname)s - %(message)s')
handler.setFormatter(formatter)
logger.addHandler(handler)

Do you supply a basic types of messages?

Well, funny you ask. Yes we do. All the Message types are located in viberbot.api.messages package. Here's some examples:

from viberbot.api.messages import (
    TextMessage,
    ContactMessage,
    PictureMessage,
    VideoMessage
)
from viberbot.api.messages.data_types.contact import Contact

# creation of text message
text_message = TextMessage(text="sample text message!")

# creation of contact message
contact = Contact(name="Viber user", phone_number="0123456789")
contact_message = ContactMessage(contact=contact)

# creation of picture message
picture_message = PictureMessage(text="Check this", media="http://site.com/img.jpg")

# creation of video message
video_message = VideoMessage(media="http://mediaserver.com/video.mp4", size=4324)

Have you noticed how we created the TextMessage? There's a all bunch of message types you should get familiar with.

• Text Message
• Url Message
• Contact Message
• Picture Message
• Video Message
• Location Message
• Sticker Message
• Rich Media Message
• Keyboard Message

Creating them is easy! Every message object has it's own unique constructor corresponding to it's API implementation, click on them to see it! Check out the full API documentation for more advanced uses.

Let's add it all up and reply with a message!

from flask import Flask, request, Response
from viberbot import Api
from viberbot.api.bot_configuration import BotConfiguration
from viberbot.api.messages import VideoMessage
from viberbot.api.messages.text_message import TextMessage
import logging

from viberbot.api.viber_requests import ViberConversationStartedRequest
from viberbot.api.viber_requests import ViberFailedRequest
from viberbot.api.viber_requests import ViberMessageRequest
from viberbot.api.viber_requests import ViberSubscribedRequest
from viberbot.api.viber_requests import ViberUnsubscribedRequest

app = Flask(__name__)
viber = Api(BotConfiguration(
    name='PythonSampleBot',
    avatar='http://site.com/avatar.jpg',
    auth_token='445da6az1s345z78-dazcczb2542zv51a-e0vc5fva17480im9'
))


@app.route('/', methods=['POST'])
def incoming():
    logger.debug("received request. post data: {0}".format(request.get_data()))
    # every viber message is signed, you can verify the signature using this method
    if not viber.verify_signature(request.get_data(), request.headers.get('X-Viber-Content-Signature')):
        return Response(status=403)

    # this library supplies a simple way to receive a request object
    viber_request = viber.parse_request(request.get_data())

    if isinstance(viber_request, ViberMessageRequest):
        message = viber_request.message
        # lets echo back
        viber.send_messages(viber_request.sender.id, [
            message
        ])
    elif isinstance(viber_request, ViberSubscribedRequest):
        viber.send_messages(viber_request.get_user.id, [
            TextMessage(text="thanks for subscribing!")
        ])
    elif isinstance(viber_request, ViberFailedRequest):
        logger.warn("client failed receiving message. failure: {0}".format(viber_request))

    return Response(status=200)

if __name__ == "__main__":
    context = ('server.crt', 'server.key')
    app.run(host='0.0.0.0', port=443, debug=True, ssl_context=context)

As you can see there's a bunch of Request types here's a list of them.

Viber API

Api class

from viberbot import Api

• Api
  • init(bot_configuration)
  • .set_webhook(url, webhook_events) ⇒ List of registered event_types
  • .unset_webhook() ⇒ None
  • .get_account_info() ⇒ object
  • .verify_signature(request_data, signature) ⇒ boolean
  • .parse_request(request_data) ⇒ ViberRequest
  • .send_messages(to, messages) ⇒ list of message tokens sent
  • .get_online(viber_user_ids) ⇒ dictionary of users status
  • .get_user_details(viber_user_id) ⇒ dictionary of user's data
  • .post_messages_to_public_account(to, messages) ⇒ list of message tokens sent

New Api()

Param	Type	Description
bot_configuration	object	BotConfiguration

Api.set_webhook(url)

Param	Type	Description
url	string	Your web server url
webhook_events	list	optional list of subscribed events

Returns List of registered event_types.

event_types = viber.set_webhook('https://example.com/incoming')

Api.unset_webhook()

Returns None.

viber.unset_webhook()

Api.get_account_info()

Returns an object with the following JSON.

account_info = viber.get_account_info()

Api.verify_signature(request_data, signature)

Param	Type	Description
request_data	string	the post data from request
signature	string	sent as header X-Viber-Content-Signature

Returns a boolean suggesting if the signature is valid.

if not viber.verify_signature(request.get_data(), request.headers.get('X-Viber-Content-Signature')):
	return Response(status=403)

Api.parse_request(request_data)

Param	Type	Description
request_data	string	the post data from request

Returns a ViberRequest object.

There's a list of ViberRequest objects

viber_request = viber.parse_request(request.get_data())

Api.send_messages(to, messages)

Param	Type	Description
to	string	Viber user id
messages	list	list of Message objects

Returns list of message tokens of the messages sent.

tokens = viber.send_messages(to=viber_request.get_sender().get_id(),
			     messages=[TextMessage(text="sample message")])

Api.post_messages_to_public_account(to, messages)

Param	Type	Description
sender	string	Viber user id
messages	list	list of Message objects

Returns list of message tokens of the messages sent.

tokens = viber.post_messages_to_public_account(sender=viber_request.get_sender().get_id(),
			     messages=[TextMessage(text="sample message")])

Api.get_online(viber_user_ids)

Param	Type	Description
viber_user_ids	array of strings	Array of Viber user ids

Returns a dictionary of users.

users = Api.get_online(["user1id", "user2id"])

Api.get_user_details(viber_user_id)

Param	Type	Description
viber_user_ids	string	Viber user id

The get_user_details function will fetch the details of a specific Viber user based on his unique user ID. The user ID can be obtained from the callbacks sent to the account regarding user's actions. This request can be sent twice during a 12 hours period for each user ID.

user_data = Api.get_user_details("userId")

Request object

Param	Type	Notes
event_type	string	according to EventTypes enum
timestamp	long	Epoch of request time

• ViberRequest
  • .event_type ⇒ string
  • .timestamp ⇒ long

ViberConversationStartedRequest object

Inherits from ViberRequest

Conversation started event fires when a user opens a conversation with the Public Account/ bot using the “message” button (found on the account’s info screen) or using a deep link.

This event is not considered a subscribe event and doesn't allow the account to send messages to the user; however, it will allow sending one "welcome message" to the user. See sending a welcome message below for more information.

Param	Type	Notes
event_type	string	always equals to the value of EventType.CONVERSATION_STARTED
message_token	string	Unique ID of the message
type	string	The specific type of conversation_started event.
context	string	Any additional parameters added to the deep link used to access the conversation passed as a string
user	UserProfile	the user started the conversation UserProfile
subscribed	boolean	Indicates whether a user is already subscribed

• ViberConversationStartedRequest
  • message_token ⇒ string
  • type ⇒ string
  • context ⇒ string
  • user ⇒ UserProfile

ViberDeliveredRequest object

Inherits from ViberRequest

Param	Type	Notes
event_type	string	always equals to the value of EventType.DELIVERED
message_token	string	Unique ID of the message
user_id	string	Unique Viber user id

• ViberDeliveredRequest
  • message_token ⇒ string
  • user_id ⇒ string

ViberFailedRequest object

Inherits from ViberRequest

Param	Type	Notes
event_type	string	always equals to the value of EventType.FAILED
message_token	string	Unique ID of the message
user_id	string	Unique Viber user id
desc	string	Failure description

• ViberFailedRequest
  • message_token ⇒ string
  • user_id ⇒ string
  • desc ⇒ string

ViberMessageRequest object

Inherits from ViberRequest

Param	Type	Notes
event_type	string	always equals to the value of EventType.MESSAGE
message_token	string	Unique ID of the message
message	Message	Message object
sender	UserProfile	the user started the conversation UserProfile

• ViberMessageRequest
  • message_token ⇒ string
  • message ⇒ Message
  • sender ⇒ UserProfile

ViberSeenRequest object

Inherits from ViberRequest

Param	Type	Notes
event_type	string	always equals to the value of EventType.SEEN
message_token	string	Unique ID of the message
user_id	string	Unique Viber user id

• ViberSeenRequest
  • message_token ⇒ string
  • user_id ⇒ string

ViberSubscribedRequest object

Inherits from ViberRequest

Param	Type	Notes
event_type	string	always equals to the value of EventType.SUBSCRIBED
user	UserProfile	the user started the conversation UserProfile

• ViberSubscribedRequest
  • user ⇒ UserProfile

ViberUnsubscribedRequest object

Inherits from ViberRequest

Param	Type	Notes
event_type	string	always equals to the value of EventType.UNSUBSCRIBED
user_id	string	Unique Viber user id

• ViberUnsubscribedRequest
  • get_user_id() ⇒ string

UserProfile object

Param	Type	Notes
id	string	---
name	string	---
avatar	string	Avatar URL
country	string	currently set in CONVERSATION_STARTED event only
language	string	currently set in CONVERSATION_STARTED event only

Message Object

Common Members for Message interface:

Param	Type	Description
timestamp	long	Epoch time
keyboard	JSON	keyboard JSON
trackingData	JSON	JSON Tracking Data from Viber Client

Common Constructor Arguments Message interface:

Param	Type	Description
optionalKeyboard	JSON	Writing Custom Keyboards
optionalTrackingData	JSON	Data to be saved on Viber Client device, and sent back each time message is received

TextMessage object

Member	Type
text	string

message = TextMessage(text="my text message")

URLMessage object

Member	Type	Description
media	string	URL string

message = URLMessage(media="http://my.siteurl.com")

ContactMessage object

Member	Type
contact	Contact

from viberbot.api.messages.data_types.contact import Contact

contact = Contact(name="Viber user", phone_number="+0015648979", avatar="http://link.to.avatar")
contact_message = ContactMessage(contact=contact)

PictureMessage object

Member	Type	Description
media	string	url of the message (jpeg only)
text	string
thumbnail	string

message = PictureMessage(media="http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/multimedia/dynamic/01458/viber_logo_JPG_1458024f.jpg", text="Viber logo")

VideoMessage object

Member	Type	Description
media	string	url of the video
size	int
thumbnail	string
duration	int

message = VideoMessage(media="http://site.com/video.mp4", size=21499)

LocationMessage object

Member	Type
location	Location

from viberbot.api.messages.data_types.location import Location

location = Location(lat=0.0, lon=0.0)
location_message = LocationMessage(location=location)

StickerMessage object

Member	Type
sticker_id	int

message = StickerMessage(sticker_id=40100)

FileMessage object

Member	Type
media	string
size	long
file_name	string

message = FileMessage(media=url, size=sizeInBytes, file_name=file_name)

RichMediaMessage object

Member	Type
rich_media	string (JSON)

SAMPLE_RICH_MEDIA = """{
  "BgColor": "#69C48A",
  "Buttons": [
    {
      "Columns": 6,
      "Rows": 1,
      "BgColor": "#454545",
      "BgMediaType": "gif",
      "BgMedia": "http://www.url.by/test.gif",
      "BgLoop": true,
      "ActionType": "open-url",
      "Silent": true,
      "ActionBody": "www.tut.by",
      "Image": "www.tut.by/img.jpg",
      "TextVAlign": "middle",
      "TextHAlign": "left",
      "Text": "<b>example</b> button",
      "TextOpacity": 10,
      "TextSize": "regular"
    }
  ]
}"""

SAMPLE_ALT_TEXT = "upgrade now!"

message = RichMediaMessage(rich_media=SAMPLE_RICH_MEDIA, alt_text=SAMPLE_ALT_TEXT)

KeyboardMessage object

Member	Type
keyboard	JSON
tracking_data	JSON

message = KeyboardMessage(tracking_data=tracking_data, keyboard=keyboard)

Sending a welcome message

The Viber API allows sending messages to users only after they subscribe to the account. However, Viber will allow the account to send one “welcome message” to a user as the user opens the conversation, before the user subscribes.

The welcome message will be sent as a response to a conversation_started callback, which will be received from Viber once the user opens the conversation with the account. To learn more about this event and when is it triggered see Conversation started in the callbacks section.

Welcome message flow

Sending a welcome message will be done according to the following flow:

1. User opens 1-on-1 conversation with account.
2. Viber server send conversation_started even to PA’s webhook.
3. The account receives the conversation_started and responds with an HTTP response which includes the welcome message as the response body.

The welcome message will be a JSON constructed according to the send_message requests structure, but without the receiver parameter. An example welcome message would look like this:

@app.route('/', methods=['POST'])
def incoming():
	viber_request = viber.parse_request(request.get_data())

	if isinstance(viber_request, ViberConversationStartedRequest) :
		viber.send_messages(viber_request.get_user().get_id(), [
			TextMessage(text="Welcome!")
		])

	return Response(status=200)

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