matrix-alertbot/SETUP.md

Setup

Matrix AlertBot is a sample repository of a working Matrix bot that can be taken and transformed into one's own bot, service or whatever else may be necessary. Below is a quick setup guide to running the existing bot.

Install the dependencies

There are two paths to installing the dependencies for development.

Using docker-compose

Docker Compose is the easiest way to run the bot with all the necessary dependencies handled for you.

After installation and ensuring the docker-compose command works, you need to:

1. Create a data directory and config file by following the docker setup instructions.

2. Create a docker volume pointing to that directory:

   docker volume create \
     --opt type=none \
     --opt o=bind \
     --opt device="/path/to/data/dir" data_volume

Run docker-compose up --build to start the bot.

Running natively

If you would rather not or are unable to run docker, the following will instruct you on how to install the dependencies natively:

Install libolm

You can install libolm from source, or alternatively, check your system's package manager. Version 3.0.0 or greater is required.

Deploy Alertmanager and Prometheus

Matrix AlertBot requires an Alertmanager instance to manage silences, receive alerts from it, etc. You can follow install instructions on the Alertmanager website.

Prometheus is also required in order to setup a set of rules that will trigger alerts. You can follow install instructions on the Prometheus website

Sample configs are available in the docker directory.

Install Python dependencies

Create and activate a Python 3 virtual environment:

virtualenv -p python3 .venv
source env/bin/activate

Install python dependencies:

pip install -e .

(Optional) If you want to send alert to encrypted rooms, use the following command to install olm dependencies alongside those that are necessary:

pip install -e ".[e2e]"

Configuration

Copy the sample configuration file to a new config.yaml file.

cp config.sample.yaml config.yaml

Edit the config file. The matrix section must be modified at least.

Running

Docker

Refer to the docker run instructions.

Native installation

Make sure to source your python environment if you haven't already:

source .venv/bin/activate

Then simply run the bot with:

matrix-alertbot

By default, the bot will run with the config file at ./config.yaml . However, an alternative relative or absolute filepath can be specified after the command:

matrix-alertbot other-config.yaml

Testing the bot works

Invite the bot to a room and it should accept the invite and join.

Matrix AlertBot will process any message where its name is mentionned. Let's test this now. After the bot has successfully joined the room, try sending the following in a message:

@bot_name help

The bot should reply with an help message, explaining how to handle alerts.

When an alert is triggered, the bot will send it to the room. You can manage silences for this alert either by replying to the message, or by reacting with certain emojis.

For instance, if you reply to the alert with:

@bot_name ack

This will create a silence for this alert until it is resolved.

You can at any moment reply to the alert with the following to remove the silence:

@bot_name unack

Removing a reaction to an alert will also remove the silence.

Troubleshooting

If you had any difficulties with this setup process, please file an issue or come talk about it in the Mattermost channel.