> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.dingtalk.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create a custom bot

> Describes how to create a custom bot in a regular or external group, enabling messages to be sent in group chat scenarios.

To send messages in a Standard Group or External Chat, follow the steps in this document to create a custom bot.

<Warning>
  Custom bots only support sending messages in groups. Direct Messages are not supported.
</Warning>

## Procedure

1. Sign in to the DingTalk Client-side and select the Group Chat to which you want to add a bot.

2. Open the Group Chat and click the **Group settings** icon in the upper-right corner.

3. In the Group Management section, click **Bots** > **Add Bot**, and select Custom bot.

4. Click **Add** and configure the bot information:

   | **Item**                             | **Description**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
   | ------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
   | Bot Profile Photo                    | Click the edit icon to Upload the bot's Profile Photo.                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
   | Bot Name                             | Enter a name for the bot.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
   | Security Settings                    | Security Settings types: - Custom keywords - sign request - IP address (range) For details about Security Settings, see [Custom bot security settings](/open/dingstart/customize-robot-security-settings).                                                      |
   | (Optional) Enable Outgoing mechanism | When the Group bot is mentioned with @, messages are sent to a specified external service, and the response from the external service can be returned to the Group Chat. For the message types and Data formats received by the bot, see Bot message reception. |

   After configuration, select **Custom Bot Service and Disclaimer** and click **Complete**.

## Next steps

To send messages using a custom bot, see the following Document:

* Send Group Chat messages with a custom bot