n8n automation

Building Custom n8n Nodes for Zalo Chatbot Automation

n8n.coach

n8n.coach

— 3 min read
Building Custom n8n Nodes for Zalo Chatbot Automation

In today's digital landscape, chatbots are revolutionizing customer engagement, and Zalo—Vietnam’s leading messaging platform—is no exception. Automating Zalo chatbots can streamline interactions, reduce response times, and enhance user experiences. One powerful way to achieve this is by leveraging n8n, a low-code workflow automation tool. While n8n offers built-in nodes for many platforms, creating custom nodes for Zalo unlocks even greater flexibility.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the process of building custom n8n nodes to automate Zalo chatbot workflows, from setup to deployment.

Why Use n8n for Zalo Chatbot Automation?

n8n is an open-source workflow automation tool that allows users to connect apps, APIs, and services without extensive coding. Its node-based interface makes it ideal for designing complex workflows, including chatbot interactions. Here’s why n8n stands out:

  • Flexibility: Custom nodes let you tailor automation to Zalo’s unique API requirements.
  • Scalability: Handle high volumes of messages with ease.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Avoid vendor lock-in and reduce reliance on third-party services.

By building custom nodes, you can integrate Zalo’s API directly into your n8n workflows, enabling features like automated replies, data collection, and CRM synchronization.

Prerequisites

Before diving into custom node development, ensure you have:

  1. n8n Installed: Either self-hosted or via n8n.cloud.
  2. Zalo Developer Account: Access to Zalo’s Official Account API.
  3. Basic JavaScript/TypeScript Knowledge: Custom nodes are written in TypeScript.
  4. Node.js & npm: For local development and testing.

Step 1: Setting Up a Custom Node Project

n8n provides a CLI tool to scaffold custom nodes quickly. Follow these steps:

  1. Install the n8n CLI globally:
    bash npm install -g n8n-node-dev

  2. Create a new node project:
    bash n8n-node-dev new
    Follow the prompts to name your node (e.g., Zalo Chatbot) and select the appropriate template.

  3. Navigate to your project folder and install dependencies:
    bash cd zalo-chatbot-node && npm install

Step 2: Understanding Zalo’s API

Zalo’s Official Account API allows sending/receiving messages, managing followers, and more. Key endpoints include:

  • Send Text Message: https://openapi.zalo.me/v2.0/oa/message
  • Get User Profile: https://openapi.zalo.me/v2.0/oa/getprofile

You’ll need an access token (from Zalo’s developer portal) to authenticate requests.

Step 3: Writing the Custom Node

The core logic of your node resides in the ZaloChatbot.node.ts file. Here’s a simplified example for sending messages:

```typescript import { IExecuteFunctions } from 'n8n-core'; import { INodeExecutionData, INodeType, INodeTypeDescription } from 'n8n-workflow';

export class ZaloChatbot implements INodeType { description: INodeTypeDescription = { displayName: 'Zalo Chatbot', name: 'zaloChatbot', group: ['transform'], version: 1, description: 'Send messages via Zalo API', defaults: { name: 'Zalo Chatbot' }, inputs: ['main'], outputs: ['main'], credentials: [ { name: 'zaloApi', required: true }, ], properties: [ { displayName: 'Recipient ID', name: 'recipientId', type: 'string', required: true, default: '', }, { displayName: 'Message Text', name: 'messageText', type: 'string', required: true, default: '', }, ], };

async execute(this: IExecuteFunctions): Promise { const items = this.getInputData(); const returnData: INodeExecutionData[] = [];

for (let i = 0; i < items.length; i++) {
  const recipientId = this.getNodeParameter('recipientId', i) as string;
  const messageText = this.getNodeParameter('messageText', i) as string;
  const credentials = await this.getCredentials('zaloApi');

  const response = await fetch('https://openapi.zalo.me/v2.0/oa/message', {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: {
      'Content-Type': 'application/json',
      'access_token': credentials.accessToken as string,
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      recipient: { user_id: recipientId },
      message: { text: messageText },
    }),
  });

  const result = await response.json();
  returnData.push({ json: result });
}

return [returnData];

} } ```

Step 4: Testing & Deployment

  1. Test Locally:
  2. Run npm run dev to start the development server.

  3. Add your node to n8n by pasting the local server URL in the Custom Nodes section.

  4. Deploy:

  5. Publish your node to npm for easy sharing:
    bash npm publish
  6. Alternatively, bundle it into your n8n instance by copying the compiled files.

Use Cases for Zalo Chatbot Automation

  • Customer Support: Auto-reply to FAQs.
  • Order Tracking: Fetch and send order status updates.
  • Lead Generation: Capture user data and sync with CRM.

Conclusion

Building custom n8n nodes for Zalo chatbots empowers businesses to automate interactions seamlessly. With a little TypeScript and Zalo’s API, you can create tailored workflows that save time and enhance engagement.

Ready to get started? Dive into n8n’s documentation and Zalo’s API docs to explore further!

By following this guide, you’ll unlock the full potential of Zalo chatbot automation—happy coding! 🚀

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