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Overview

Bot Planning can be deployed using Docker, which provides an isolated environment with all required dependencies. This method ensures consistency across different environments and simplifies deployment.

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Prerequisites

  • Docker installed on your system
  • A Discord bot token from Discord Developer Portal
  • Google Sheets URL for your planning/schedule (exported as CSV)

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Dockerfile Explanation

The project uses the following Dockerfile: 
# Image de base Python
FROM python:3.11-slim

# Définir le répertoire de travail
WORKDIR /app

# Copier les fichiers requirements et code
COPY requirements.txt .
COPY . .

# Installer les dépendances
RUN pip install --no-cache-dir -r requirements.txt

# Définir la commande pour démarrer le bot
CMD ["python", "bot.py"]
What this Dockerfile does:
  1. Base Image: Uses python:3.11-slim for a lightweight Python environment
  2. Working Directory: Sets /app as the working directory inside the container
  3. Copy Files: Copies requirements.txt first (for layer caching), then all project files
  4. Install Dependencies: Installs Python packages:
    • discord.py - Discord bot framework
    • pandas - Data manipulation for CSV processing
    • matplotlib - Image generation for schedules
    • python-dotenv - Environment variable management
  5. Start Command: Launches the bot with python bot.py

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Environment Configuration

Create a .env file in your project directory with the following variables: 
DISCORD_TOKEN=your_discord_bot_token_here
EDT_PATH=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/YOUR_SHEET_ID/export?format=csv
Important: The EDT_PATH must end with /export?format=csv to properly export the Google Sheets data.

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Deployment Steps

1

Create Discord Bot

Navigate to the Discord Developer Portal and create a new bot application. Copy your bot token.
2

Prepare Environment File

Create a .env file in your project directory with your DISCORD_TOKEN and EDT_PATH variables.
3

Build Docker Image

Build the Docker image from the Dockerfile:
docker build -t bot-planning .
This creates an image tagged as bot-planning with all dependencies installed.
4

Run the Container

Start the bot container with your environment configuration:
docker run -d --name bot-planning \
  --env-file .env \
  --restart always \
  bot-planning:latest
Command options explained:
  • -d - Run container in detached mode (background)
  • --name bot-planning - Assign a friendly name to the container
  • --env-file .env - Load environment variables from .env file
  • --restart always - Automatically restart container if it stops
  • bot-planning:latest - Use the image we just built
5

Verify Deployment

Check that the container is running:
docker ps
View bot logs:
docker logs bot-planning
Follow logs in real-time:
docker logs -f bot-planning
Restart Policy: The --restart always flag ensures your bot automatically restarts after system reboots or if the container crashes. This is crucial for maintaining uptime in production.

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Managing the Container

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Stop the Bot

docker stop bot-planning

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Start the Bot

docker start bot-planning

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Restart the Bot

docker restart bot-planning

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Remove the Container

docker rm -f bot-planning

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View Resource Usage

docker stats bot-planning

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Updating the Bot

When you need to update the bot code:
1

Stop and Remove Old Container

docker stop bot-planning
docker rm bot-planning
2

Rebuild the Image

docker build -t bot-planning .
3

Start New Container

docker run -d --name bot-planning \
  --env-file .env \
  --restart always \
  bot-planning:latest

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Troubleshooting

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Container Exits Immediately

Check the logs for errors: 
docker logs bot-planning
Common issues:
  • Invalid Discord token
  • Incorrect Google Sheets URL format
  • Missing environment variables

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Environment Variables Not Loading

Verify your .env file path is correct and the file exists: 
ls -la .env
Alternatively, pass environment variables directly: 
docker run -d --name bot-planning \
  -e DISCORD_TOKEN="your_token" \
  -e EDT_PATH="your_sheets_url" \
  --restart always \
  bot-planning:latest

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Image Build Fails

Ensure you’re in the correct directory containing the Dockerfile: 
ls Dockerfile requirements.txt bot.py
Clear Docker cache and rebuild: 
docker build --no-cache -t bot-planning .

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