Use this open-source bot package structure as the starting point to build your bot or a Digital Worker. This is not optional or suggested, this is required. By establishing a consistent folder/file structure for Bot Store submissions, customers can know what folder structure to expect upon installing a new Bot Store component and where to find info about errors.

Using this structure makes it simpler to create top-quality software that is easy for Bot Store customers to use https://github.com/AutomationAnywhere/sample-bot.

Once you have downloaded the sample bot, it's recommended that you extract it to the following directory:  C:Users<username>DocumentsAutomation Anywhere FilesAutomation AnywhereMy TasksBot Storesample-bot-master. In this way, you will be set up for testing/development with the appropriate folder structure and testing path. To prepare your directory for development, you'll need to do 2 more things:

1. Open a Powershell and navigate to the directory where you extracted the sample bot (likely C:Users<username>DocumentsAutomation Anywhere FilesAutomation AnywhereMy TasksBot Storesample-bot-master).
   1. Example: cd "C:Users<username>DocumentsAutomation Anywhere FilesAutomation AnywhereMy TasksBot Storesample-bot-master"  Note: (you'll have to use quotes because there are spaces in the directory path)
2. Execute the clear_md_keep.ps1 Powershell script to remove the dummy files from the folder structure.

   1. powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -File .clear_md_keep.ps1
      
      

This should prepare your directory structure for bot development. If you don't already have it, Download Automation Anywhere Enterprise 11.3.3 or later as this version is required for the zip packaging process of paid bots and Digital Workers.  

Your bot or your Digital Worker should follow the folder structure laid out in the sample bot and further explained below. This will be important for when you zip your bot for Bot Store submission. As you're designing and testing your bot, note that once packaged, it will install to C:Users<username>DocumentsAutomation Anywhere FilesAutomation AnywhereMy TasksBot StoreBotName-VendorName. All testing should be done replicating this folder structure.

Required Files & Folders

• BotName-VendorName (parent folder for your bot - will not be included in zip package, only used for development/testing - should go inside the "Bot Store" folder referenced above)
  • My Tasks
    • ATMX files go here and here only. No ATMX files outside of the My Tasks directory.
      • This folder is required. If your submission doesn't include any atmx files, leave the folder empty.
  • My MetaBots
    • MBOT files go here
      • This folder is required. If your submission doesn't include any mbot files, leave the folder empty.
  • Error Folder
    • This folder is required and should have 2 sub folders listed below.
    • Logs
      • Error log files go here (txt format)
        • This folder is required. This folder should be empty when you submit to Bot Store.
    • Snapshots
      • Error snapshots go here
        • This folder is required. This folder should be empty when you submit to Bot Store.
  • Input Folder
    • Input files/sample inputs go here.
      • Note: These could be scripts, a config csv/xml, or any other filetype that your bot will rely on for operation
      • This folder is required. If your bot doesn't use a file input, just leave the folder empty with a .keep file from the original github project.
  • BotName-Vendor-Readme.PDF - this read me file is required at the root level named after the name of your bot and vendor (company or submitting individual).
    • The sample-bot includes sample PDFs (which can be deleted after your review) and a .docx template - only your readme PDF (created from the docx template) is required. Your docx version of your ReadMe should not be included in your final submission.
    • BotName-Vendor-Readme.PDF named after your bot-vendor is required. 
  • LICENSE  - this is the MIT license which is included in the sample bot.
    • This file is not required for submission. 
  • README Template (save as a PDF).docx -this is a template for you to use when creating your own ReadMe PDF.
    • This file is not required for submission.

For example:

• Do not change the name from Input Folder to Input Files
• Do not change My MetaBots to My Metabots

Additional Required Files for Paid Bots/Digital Workers ONLY

• License Info.txt - This file should contain your Global ID used for licensing.
  • If you have yet to request a Global ID, please see the Bot Store Getting Started Guide.
• ATMX Protection Info.txt - This file should contain only those atmx files you choose to protect.
• MBOT Protection Info.txt - This file should contain only those mbot files you choose to protect.

With the release of the Enterprise client Version 11.3.3 vendors have the option to protect ATMX and MBOT files within a paid bot or Digital Worker so that customers or other users who download and install the bot or Digital Worker will not be able to read those files.

To start with code protection, register as a vendor if you haven't done so already. Once registered, you'll be able to request for a Global ID used for your bot, as well as include the Getting Started Kit which includes specific step-by-step guidance on code protection for both MBOT and ATMX files.

• ATMX Protection Info.txt file
• MBOT Protection Info.txt file

ATMX files that need to be protected should be listed in the ATMX Protection Info.txt file. One file per line such as 'file1.atmx or folder1file1.atmx' (in the case you are using sub-directories from the My Tasks parent)

MetaBot files that need to be protected should be listed in the MBOT Protection Info.txt file. One file per line and there can not be any subfolders, examples will be 'file1.mbot' or 'file2.mbot'. 

The final step in preparing your bot or digital worker is the packaging process. Before packaging though, please make sure to check through the "Bot File & Folder Structure" section (step 2) before packaging.

In order to properly package your bots (free or paid) or Digital Workers to be submitted to Bot Store, create the zip package using Version 11.3.3. If you're creating a free bot, this process will correctly package your bot and dependencies. If you're creating a paid bot, this process will correctly package your bot as well as enable license management and code protection via the creation of a manifest file.