tock-react-kit
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React component to embed Tock chatbots into Web interfaces.
Tock React Kit
A toolkit to easily embed Tock chatbots into Web pages.
The toolkit provides:
- simple integration, as a script or React module
- connection/dialog with a Tock bot using Bot API (using SSE if available)
- user interface for conversations, including default widgets and animations
- customizable styles
The toolkit is currently used in production by various conversational assistants from SNCF, Enedis and more (see Tock showcase).
🏠 Home: https://doc.tock.ai
▶️ Live demo: Web frontend / bot backend
💬 Contact: https://gitter.im/tockchat/Lobby
Prerequisites
Quick Start
If you do not use a package manager, you can include the standalone bundle for the tock-react-kit
in an HTML page.
Note that this bundle includes its own copy of React - if you have an existing React application,
please refer to the module instructions below.
<script
crossorigin
src="https://unpkg.com/tock-react-kit@latest/build/tock-react-kit-standalone.umd.js"
></script>
Render your app in an element:
<body>
<div id="chat"></div>
<script>
TockReact.renderChat(document.getElementById('chat'), '<TOCK_BOT_API_URL>');
</script>
</body>
Use as a module
You can install this package alongside its peer dependencies using the package manager of your choice, and then bundle it with the rest of your web application. For example with NPM:
npm i react@18 react-dom@18 @emotion/react@11 @emotion/styled@11 tock-react-kit
Your bundler must support ESM modules, which is the case for Webpack, Rollup and Vite among others.
Use in a React app
import { ThemeProvider } from "@emotion/react";
import { TockContext, Chat, createTheme } from 'tock-react-kit';
<TockContext settings={ /* ... */ }>
<ThemeProvider theme={createTheme({ /* ... */})}>
<Chat
endPoint="<TOCK_BOT_API_URL>"
/* The following parameters are optional */
referralParameter="referralParameter"
// also accepts all properties from TockOptions, like:
disableSse
openingMessage="Hi"
/>
</ThemeProvider>
</TockContext>
Note that unmounting TockContext
at any point may cause bugs in the chat due to live data being lost.
Therefore, in apps where the Chat
component is susceptible to being unmounted and remounted (e.g. Single Page Applications),
TockContext
should go at the root of the page (hoisting out of render).
ThemeProvider
should also be hoisted out of render for performance reasons, as noted in the Emotion docs.
Use in a non-React app
When working in a non-React app, you can once again use renderChat
to render the app in an existing element:
import { renderChat } from 'tock-react-kit';
renderChat(
document.getElementById('chat'),
'<TOCK_BOT_API_URL>',
/* The following parameters are optional */
'referralParameter',
{ /* ... */ },
{ /* ... */ },
);
Styling your chat
Use the third argument of renderChat
to style your app:
renderChat(document.getElementById('chat'), '<TOCK_BOT_API_URL>', 'referralParameter', {
palette: {
text: {
user: 'limegreen',
bot: 'rebeccapurple',
card: 'black',
input: 'black',
},
background: {
user: 'red',
bot: 'orange',
card: 'lightgreen',
input: 'lightblue',
inputDisabled: '#b6b4b4',
},
},
sizing: {
loaderSize: '8px',
borderRadius: '8px',
conversation: {
width: '720px',
},
},
typography: {
fontFamily: 'monospace',
fontSize: '24px',
},
overrides: {
chat: `background: #fff;`,
},
});
You can use createTheme function to init a valid theme.
renderChat(document.getElementById('chat'), '<TOCK_BOT_API_URL>', 'referralParameter', createTheme({}));
Customize interface
If the chat does not suit your needs, there are two main ways to customize the interface rendering.
Configure custom renderers
Custom rendering can currently be defined for text and images. Here are some examples of what this enables:
- processing custom markup in the text of any component
- stripping harmful HTML tags and attributes when the backend is untrustworthy
- dynamically decorating text messages
- automatically embedding SVG images into the DOM
- implementing fallback behavior when an image fails to load
- using metadata sent by the server to set image properties like width and height
See the TockSettings
API reference for the details of available renderers.
Use the chat components separately
The tock-react-kit
exports its main components, so you can re-use them to build your own chat interface.
This approach can be used alongside custom renderers to control more granular aspects of rendering.
Message Metadata
TOCK's backend supports sending metadata alongside messages. This metadata takes the form of key-value pairs of arbitrary strings.
The tock-react-kit
supports customization of the interface based on said metadata at two levels:
Chat metadata
The metadata from the last processed response is made available globally in TockContext
.
This can be used to implement global effects on the chat interface, like showing status messages.
This metadata is not persistent; it is therefore the responsibility of either the backend or a customized frontend to
ensure data stays available if required.
Message metadata
The metadata from each response is also attached to the corresponding messages.
This metadata is persisted with the messages, including through page reloads if local storage history is enabled.
It is available to custom renderers through the use of the useMessageMetadata
hook,
as well as to custom React-based frontends that handle message rendering themselves.
API Reference
renderChat(element, tockBotApiUrl, referralParameter, theme, options)
Renders an entire chat in a target element.
Argument name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
element |
Element |
Target element where the chat will be rendered |
tockBotApiUrl |
string |
URL to the Tock Bot REST API |
referralParameter |
string |
Optional referal parameter |
theme |
TockTheme |
Optional theme object |
options |
TockOptions |
Optional options object |
useTock(tockBotApiUrl, extraHeadersProvider, disableSse, localStorageHistory)
Hook that provides chat history and methods to communicate with the Tock Bot. It must be used alongside with TockContext
. Returns a useTock interface.
Argument name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
tockBotApiUrl |
string |
URL to the Tock Bot REST API |
extraHeadersProvider |
() => Promise<Record<string, string>> |
Optional Provider of extra HTTP headers for outgoing requests |
disableSse |
boolean |
Optional Force-disabling of SSE mode |
localStorageHistory |
TockLocalStorage |
Optional Configuration for LocalStorage history |
TockTheme
A TockTheme
can be used as a value of a ThemeProvider
of emotion-theming
(bundled with the library) or as a third argument of renderChat
.
Property name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
palette |
Palette |
Object for customising colors (see below) |
sizing |
Sizing |
Object for customising elements sizing (see below) |
typography |
Typography |
Object for customising typographies (see below) |
overrides |
Overrides? |
Object allowing further styling (see below) |
inlineQuickReplies |
boolean? |
Displaying quick replies inline (by default false) |
Palette
Property name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
background |
BackgroundPalette |
Object for customising background colors (see below) |
text |
TextPalette? |
Object for customising text colors (see below) |
BackgroundPalette
Property name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
user |
string? |
CSS color used mainly for the user's chat speech balloons |
bot |
string? |
CSS color used mainly for the bot's chat speech balloons |
card |
string? |
CSS background color for cards |
input |
string? |
CSS background color for the main user text input |
inputDisabled |
string? |
CSS background color for the main user text input disabled |
TextPalette
Property name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
user |
string? |
CSS color used mainly for the user's chat speech balloons |
bot |
string? |
CSS color used mainly for the bot's chat speech balloons |
card |
string? |
CSS background color for cards |
input |
string? |
CSS background color for the main user text input |
Sizing
Property name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
loaderSize |
string? |
Loader component size |
borderRadius |
string? |
Border radius used in various chat components |
conversation |
Shape |
Object for customising chat size (see below) |
Shape
Property name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
width |
string? |
CSS max-width of the chat interface |
Typography
Property name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
fontFamily |
string? |
CSS font-family used in the chat |
fontSize |
string? |
CSS base font-size used in the chat |
Overrides
Property name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
buttons |
TockThemeButtonStyle |
Object for adding CSS styles on button components (see below) |
card |
TockThemeCardStyle |
Object for adding CSS styles on card component (see below) |
chatInput |
TockThemeInputStyle? |
Object for adding CSS styles on chat input component (see below) |
carouselContainer |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for carousel cards container (overrides base styles) |
carouselItem |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for carousel cards container (overrides base styles) |
carouselArrow |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for carousel scrolling arrows (overrides base styles) |
messageBot |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for the bot's speech balloons (overrides base styles) |
messageUser |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for the user's speech balloons (overrides base styles) |
quickReply |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for the quick reply buttons (overrides base styles) |
chat |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for the chat container (overrides base styles) |
quickReplyArrow |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for quick replies scrolling arrows (overrides base styles) |
TockThemeButtonStyle
Property name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
urlButton |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for URL buttons (overrides base styles) |
postbackButton |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for postback buttons (overrides base styles) |
buttonList |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for button lists (overrides base styles) |
buttonContainer |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for button list container (overrides base styles) |
TockThemeCardStyle
Property name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
cardContainer |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for carousel cards container (overrides base styles) |
cardTitle |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for carousel cards title (overrides base styles) |
cardSubTitle |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for carousel cards subtitle (overrides base styles) |
cardImage |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for carousel cards image (overrides base styles) |
cardButton |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for carousel cards button (overrides base styles and button overrides) |
buttonList |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for carousel cards button list (overrides base styles and button overrides) |
buttonContainer |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for carousel button list container (overrides base styles and button overrides) |
TockThemeInputStyle
Property name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
container |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for input container (overrides base styles) |
input |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for input (overrides base styles) |
icon |
string? |
Additional CSS styles for input icon (overrides base styles) |
TockSettings
Property name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
locale |
string? |
Optional user language, as an RFC 5646 code |
localStorage |
LocalStorageSettings? |
Configuration for use of localStorage by the library |
renderers |
RendererSettings? |
Configuration for custom image and text renderers |
LocalStorageSettings
Property name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
storagePrefix |
string? |
Prefix for local storage keys allowing communication with different bots from the same domain |
RendererSettings
Property name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
imageRenderers |
ImageRendererSettings? |
Configuration of renderers for dynamic images displayed in the chat interface |
textRenderers |
TextRendererSettings? |
Configuration of renderers for dynamic text displayed in the chat interface |
ImageRendererSettings
Image renderers all implement the ImageRenderer
interface.
They are tasked with rendering a graphical component using a source URL, a description, a class name, and other generic HTML attributes.
The passed in class name provides the default style for the rendered component, as well as applicable overrides.
Property name | Description |
---|---|
default |
The fallback renderer. By default, renders a single img component using the provided properties |
standalone |
Renders images in the dedicated image component, including the zoomed-in view |
card |
Renders images in the card component (including in carousels) |
buttonIcon |
Renders icons in quick replies, URL buttons, and postback buttons |
TextRendererSettings
Text renderers all implement the TextRenderer
interface.
They are tasked with rendering a string into a text component.
A renderer can be restricted in the kind of HTML nodes it emits depending on the context in which it is invoked. Most text renderers should only emit phrasing content that is also non-interactive. However, some contexts allow interactive phrasing content, or even any flow content.
Some renderers are expected to handle rich text, that is text that already contains HTML formatting. Such rich text renderers may strip HTML tags or attributes that are deemed dangerous to add to the DOM.
Property name | Type of content | Description |
---|---|---|
default |
non-interactive phrasing | The fallback renderer. By default, renders the whole string as a single text node |
html |
flow | The fallback renderer for rich text. By default, renders the string into a div with innerHTML |
htmlPhrase |
phrasing | The fallback renderer for inline rich text. By default, renders the string into a span with innerHTML |
userContent |
phrasing | Renders text in user messages. If unspecified, falls back to default |
TockOptions
Contains all the properties from TockSettings
as well as the following:
Property name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
afterInit |
(PostInitContext) => Promise<void>? |
Callback that will be executed after chat init and before openingMessage |
openingMessage |
string? |
Initial message to send to the bot to trigger a welcome sequence |
extraHeadersProvider |
() => Promise<Record<string, string> |
Provider of extra HTTP headers for outgoing requests |
timeoutBetweenMessage |
number? |
Timeout between message |
widgets |
any? |
Custom display component |
disableSse |
boolean? |
Disable SSE (not even trying) |
accessibility |
TockAccessibility |
Object for overriding role and label accessibility attributes |
localStorageHistory |
TockLocalStorage? |
Object for history local storage |
TockAccessibility
Property name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
input |
InputAccessibility? |
Object for adding accessibility labels on input component (see below) |
carousel |
CarouselAccessibility? |
Object for adding accessibility labels on carousel component (see below) |
qrCarousel |
QRCarouselAccessibility? |
Object for adding accessibility labels on QR inline carousel component component (see below) |
InputAccessibility
Property name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
sendButtonLabel |
string? |
Message of the send message button image aria-label attribute (overrides 'Send a message') |
clearButtonLabel |
string? |
Message of the clear messages button image aria-label attribute (overrides 'Clear messages') |
TockLocalStorage
Property name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
enable |
boolean? |
Enable history local storage |
maxNumberMessages |
number? |
Max number of messages in the history local storage (default 10) |
CarouselAccessibility
Property name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
roleDescription |
string? |
Message of the carousel aria-roledescription attribute (overrides 'Carousel') |
slideRoleDescription |
string? |
Message of the slide carousel aria-roledescription attribute (overrides 'Slide') |
previousButtonLabel |
string? |
Message of the carousel previous button image aria-label attribute (overrides 'Previous slides') |
nextButtonLabel |
string? |
Message of the carousel next button image aria-label attribute (overrides 'Next slides') |
QRCarouselAccessibility
Property name | Type | Description |
---|---|---|
previousButtonLabel |
string? |
Message of the quick replies carousel previous button image aria-label attribute (overrides 'Previous quick replies') |
nextButtonLabel |
string? |
Message of the quick replies carousel next button image aria-label attribute (overrides 'Next quick replies') |
Accessibility
The optional accessibility
makes it possible to override default messages for some aria attributes.
Example :
renderChat(
document.getElementById('chat'),
'<TOCK_BOT_API_URL>',
undefined,
{},
{ accessibility: {
carousel: {
roleDescription: 'Carousel',
slideRoleDescription: 'Result',
},
},
},
);
Local storage history
The optional localStorageHistory
makes it possible to provide a history session of messages.
This history loads at the creation of the chat and is stored in the local storage of the browser.
The localStorageHistory
parameter is an object, by default not set (enable then to false).
Example:
renderChat(
document.getElementById('chat'),
'<TOCK_BOT_API_URL>',
undefined,
{},
{ localStorageHistory: {
enable: true,
maxNumberMessages: 15, // by default 10 messages max
}
},
);
If sensitive information appear in conversation, do not use this option.
If browser disable or cannot handle local storage, the chat will not store messages.
Post-initialization behaviours
After Init callback
The optional afterInit
is a callback function, called once the chat is ready to send payloads to the server.
It takes a PostInitContext
parameter, which allows the callback to interact with the chat
(sending messages, clearing the chat, etc.). If it returns a promise, the chat will wait for the promise to resolve
before performing other post-init tasks.
Example:
renderChat(
document.getElementById('chat'),
'<TOCK_BOT_API_URL>',
undefined,
{},
{
localStorageHistory: { enable: true },
afterInit: async (context) => {
if (context.history) await context.sendMessage('I am back');
else await context.sendPayload('greetings')
}
},
);
In this example, whenever the page is loaded:
- If the user previously interacted with the bot, they will send the "I am back" message to the bot endpoint, triggering the corresponding story. Said message will be displayed as a user message.
- Otherwise, a payload will be sent, which will trigger the intent with the ID
greetings
.
Opening message
The optional openingMessage
is a sentence, automatically sent to the bot when the conversation starts.
If an afterInit
callback is also specified, it runs before the opening message gets sent.
This is typically used to trigger a welcoming or onboarding story for the user,
without requiring them to type a sentence first.
Said story is configured in Tock Studio, or managed like any other Tock story,
The openingMessage
parameter is a sentence from the user to the bot, albeit not actually displayed in conversation.
It is not the configured answer from the bot.
Example:
renderChat(
document.getElementById('chat'),
'<TOCK_BOT_API_URL>',
undefined,
{},
{ openingMessage: 'hello my bot' },
);
In this example, when the user opens/loads the page embedding the tock-react-kit
for the first time,
the story corresponding to "hello my bot" (e.g. hello
) will be triggered, starting the conversation.
Extra headers
The optional extraHeadersProvider
makes it possible to provide additional HTTP headers,
to message requests from the Web page (tock-react-kit
component) to the Bot (Tock Bot API).
Example:
renderChat(
document.getElementById('chat'),
'<TOCK_BOT_API_URL>',
undefined,
{},
{ extraHeadersProvider: (async () => ({'my-custom-header': 'some value'})) },
);
This is typically used to pass tokens or custom values to the Bot backend.
Note that extra headers should be allowed by the backend's CORS setup for the application to work as intended.
Custom widgets
Tock web connector can send custom messages :
{
data: {
departure: 'Paris',
arrival: 'Nice'
},
type: 'TrainCardWidget',
}
You can define your own display components for this custom message :
import React from 'react';
import { renderChat, MessageContainer, Message } from 'tock-react-kit';
const TrainCardWidget = ({departure, arrival}) => {
return (
<MessageContainer>
<Message>
<p>Departure: {departure}</p>
<p>Arrival: {arrival}</p>
</Message>
</MessageContainer>
);
};
renderChat(
document.getElementById('chat'),
'<TOCK_BOT_API_URL>',
undefined,
{},
{
widgets: {
TrainCardWidget
}
}
);
SSE
By default, the tock-react-kit
tries to connect to the Bot through Server-sent events.
If an error occurs, it probably means the Bot's backend does not accept SSE, so the tock-react-kit
switches to classic requests.
The optional disableSse
parameter makes it possible to disable SSE before even trying, possibly preventing a 404
error
from console (when the Bot does not accept SSE).
Example:
renderChat(
document.getElementById('chat'),
'<TOCK_BOT_API_URL>',
undefined,
{},
{ disableSse: true },
);