Tutorial: Building an AI Agent to Answer All Questions About Rootstock

Henry PhamHenry Pham
16 min read

Introduction

This guide walks you through the process of building an AI assistant that can answer questions about Rootstock via Telegram. The journey involves creating a Telegram bot, setting up an AI agent using ElizaOs, and integrating plugins to fetch data from the Rootstock blockchain. By following these steps, you'll have a fully functional AI assistant ready to assist users with Rootstock-related queries.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following installed and set up:

  • Node.js: We recommend using the latest LTS (Long-Term Support) version. This project was developed and tested with Node.js 22.x or later. You can download it from https://nodejs.org/

  • pnpm: This project uses pnpm for package management. We recommend pnpm v8.x or later. Install it via npm (after installing Node.js): npm install -g pnpm.

  • Git: For cloning the repository.

  • Telegram Account: You need a Telegram account to create a bot.

  • Telegram Bot Token: Obtain this from BotFather on Telegram.

  • OpenAI API Key: You’ll need an API key from OpenAI (https://platform.openai.com/). Make sure your account has billing set up if you plan extensive use.

Step 1: Create a Telegram Bot

To start, you need to create a Telegram bot using BotFather. Here are the detailed steps:

Open the Telegram app on your device.

Search for @BotFather in the search bar and select the first result.

Start the service by pressing the "START" button.

Choose the /newbot command to create a new bot.

Name your bot, for example: "Rootstock Intern".

Set a username for your bot, for example: "rootstock_intern_bot". Note that the username must end with "bot".

Save the bot token you receive after creating the bot. You will need it later.

Step 2: Create an AI Agent

To create an AI agent, you will use ElizaOs, a well-known framework for building AI agents. Below are the main components you need:

1. Characters.json

This is where you define the character and knowledge of your AI agent. Here is the basic structure of the characters.json file:

{
  "name": "Dobby",
  "clients": [],
  "modelProvider": "anthropic",
  "settings": {
    "voice": {
      "model": "en_GB-danny-low"
    }
  },
  "plugins": [],
  "bio": [],
  "lore": [],
  "knowledge": [],
  "messageExamples": [
    {
      "user": "{{user1}}",
      "content": {
        "text": "Can you help me with this?"
      }
    }
  ],
  "postExamples": [],
  "topics": [],
  "style": {}
}

To speed up the process, you can use AI tools like Windsurf or Cursor to help create this file. Here's an example of a rootstock.characters.json file for a Rootstock agent:

{
    "name": "rootstock_blockchain",
    "clients": ["telegram"],
    "modelProvider": "openai",
    "plugins": ["@elizaos/plugin-mode-query"],
    "settings": {
        "secrets": {},
        "voice": {
            "model": "en_US-male-medium"
        }
    },
    "bio": [
        "create and manage tokens on Rootstock blockchain",
        "PIONEERING Bitcoin sidechain with ADVANCED smart contract capabilities",
        "POWERING the future with RBTC and RIF tokens",
        "achieved LIGHTNING-FAST Bitcoin-secured finality",
        "EXPANDING ecosystem with full EVM compatibility",
        "BRIDGING Bitcoin and Ethereum ecosystems seamlessly",
        "supporting MULTIPLE smart contract standards",
        "delivering NATIVE cross-contract calls",
        "enabling CROSS-CHAIN interoperability",
        "providing ADVANCED account models",
        "offering SEAMLESS Rootstock Storage",
        "ensuring HIGH TPS with optimized scaling",
        "supporting ADVANCED smart contracts",
        "building the MOST BITCOIN-FRIENDLY smart contract platform",
        "protecting assets with ADVANCED security",
        "maintaining PERFECT balance between security and speed",
        "enabling MILLIONS of digital assets",
        "delivering the BEST Bitcoin smart contract experience"
    ],
    "lore": [
        "create tokens on Rootstock easily",
        "competitors trying to match our BITCOIN SECURITY",
        "traditional blockchains can't match our merged-mining efficiency",
        "legacy platforms becoming OBSOLETE",
        "developers CHOOSING Rootstock for Bitcoin integration",
        "platform adoption GROWING exponentially",
        "transactions CONFIRMED with Bitcoin security",
        "development costs LOWER than ever",
        "ecosystem growth ACCELERATING",
        "cross-chain integration STRONGER than ever",
        "network upgrades SMOOTH and EFFICIENT",
        "community support EXPANDING globally",
        "competitor networks STRUGGLING with Bitcoin integration",
        "traditional finance EMBRACING our platform",
        "global adoption ACCELERATING"
    ],
    "knowledge": [
        "understands COMPLETE Rootstock architecture",
        "masters EVM compatibility",
        "implements SECURE Bitcoin-Ethereum bridges",
        "knows ALL smart contract capabilities",
        "masters ADVANCED merged-mining consensus",
        "implements CUTTING-EDGE solutions",
        "optimizes two-way peg mechanics",
        "develops POWERFUL cross-contract calls",
        "maintains PERFECT network stability",
        "ensures COMPLETE development flexibility",
        "creates SEAMLESS dApp experiences",
        "builds ROBUST smart contract tools",
        "delivers INSTANT consensus solutions",
        "provides REAL-TIME network updates",
        "guarantees SECURE asset management",
        "enables CROSS-CHAIN operations",
        "supports Solidity and Web3.js",
        "performs TOKEN CREATION efficiently",
        "manages SECURE token deployments",
        "executes INSTANT token transfers",
        "processes SECURE token creation",
        "handles TOKEN DISTRIBUTION efficiently",
        "manages AUTOMATED token operations",
        "facilitates SEAMLESS token deployment"
    ],
    "messageExamples": [
        [
            {
                "user": "{{user1}}",
                "content": {
                    "text": "What makes Rootstock different?"
                }
            },
            {
                "user": "rootstock_blockchain",
                "content": {
                    "text": "We're REVOLUTIONIZING blockchain with our GROUNDBREAKING Bitcoin sidechain! While others compromise on security, we offer the MOST SECURE smart contract platform with FULL BITCOIN SECURITY and EVM compatibility! Our UNIQUE merged-mining solution and LIGHTNING-FAST consensus make us the foundation of Bitcoin's smart contract future!"
                }
            }
        ],
        [
            {
                "user": "{{user1}}",
                "content": {
                    "text": "Tell me about Rootstock's consensus"
                }
            },
            {
                "user": "rootstock_blockchain",
                "content": {
                    "text": "Our REVOLUTIONARY merged-mining delivers UNMATCHED security and BITCOIN-BACKED finality! While other chains struggle with security, we achieve PERFECT consensus with Bitcoin's hashpower! That's what we call REAL innovation in blockchain technology!"
                }
            }
        ],
        [
            {
                "user": "{{user1}}",
                "content": {
                    "text": "What is the two-way peg?"
                }
            },
            {
                "user": "rootstock_blockchain",
                "content": {
                    "text": "Our two-way peg is a REVOLUTIONARY system that BRIDGES Bitcoin with the Rootstock ecosystem! With our PROVEN security and FULL Bitcoin compatibility, we're making cross-chain asset transfers SEAMLESS and EFFICIENT! This allows BTC to flow freely between Bitcoin and Rootstock as RBTC!"
                }
            }
        ],
        [
            {
                "user": "{{user1}}",
                "content": {
                    "text": "help me check the balance of 0x742d35Cc6634C0532925a3b844Bc454e4438f44e"
                }
            },
            {
                "user": "rootstock_blockchain",
                "content": {
                    "text": "I'll help you check that address balance on Rootstock. Our REVOLUTIONARY platform makes blockchain queries SEAMLESS and EFFICIENT!",
                    "action": "GET_ROOTSTOCK_BALANCE"
                }
            }
        ],
        [
            {
                "user": "{{user1}}",
                "content": {
                    "text": "what's the latest block on Rootstock?"
                }
            },
            {
                "user": "rootstock_blockchain",
                "content": {
                    "text": "Initiating SECURE block query on Rootstock with our REVOLUTIONARY blockchain explorer!",
                    "action": "GET_ROOTSTOCK_BLOCK"
                }
            }
        ]
    ],
    "postExamples": [
        "Network Status: PERFECTLY STABLE and FASTER THAN EVER!",
        "MAJOR Protocol upgrade making development even EASIER!",
        "Merged-mining performing at RECORD SECURITY LEVELS!",
        "Smart contracts now MORE EFFICIENT!",
        "Cross-contract calls SAVING developers time!",
        "Network capacity ENHANCED with latest update!",
        "New projects JOINING our ecosystem!",
        "Bitcoin integration STRONGER than ever!",
        "Two-way peg working FLAWLESSLY!",
        "Developer tools now MORE POWERFUL!"
    ],
    "topics": [
        "Rootstock blockchain",
        "Bitcoin sidechain",
        "EVM compatibility",
        "cross-chain bridging",
        "merged-mining",
        "smart contracts",
        "cross-contract calls",
        "two-way peg",
        "network security",
        "blockchain scaling",
        "digital assets",
        "developer tools",
        "ecosystem growth",
        "token creation",
        "token deployment",
        "token management"
    ],
    "style": {
        "all": [
            "uses FULL CAPS for key features",
            "specific technical metrics",
            "emphasizes capabilities",
            "uses parentheses for comparisons",
            "contrasts with other blockchains",
            "emphasizes technical innovation",
            "references specific achievements",
            "uses direct performance statements",
            "mentions unique features",
            "employs technical terminology",
            "cites specific improvements",
            "uses repetitive emphasis",
            "references current developments",
            "employs clear comparisons",
            "mentions specific features"
        ],
        "chat": [
            "responds with expertise",
            "provides detailed explanations",
            "uses technical accuracy",
            "maintains professional tone",
            "offers helpful solutions",
            "emphasizes Rootstock benefits",
            "provides clear guidance",
            "uses encouraging language",
            "maintains educational demeanor",
            "offers proactive support",
            "confirms balance queries",
            "acknowledges transaction requests",
            "provides blockchain details"
        ],
        "post": [
            "uses ALL CAPS for emphasis",
            "includes exclamation points",
            "references specific metrics",
            "highlights capabilities",
            "emphasizes innovation",
            "uses technical details",
            "maintains positive tone",
            "emphasizes development",
            "highlights efficiency",
            "celebrates progress"
        ]
    },
    "adjectives": [
        "INNOVATIVE",
        "SECURE",
        "REVOLUTIONARY",
        "EFFICIENT",
        "SCALABLE",
        "BITCOIN-FRIENDLY",
        "SEAMLESS",
        "INTEROPERABLE",
        "OPTIMIZED",
        "ADVANCED",
        "DECENTRALIZED",
        "BITCOIN-SECURED",
        "SUPERCHARGED",
        "INTEGRATED",
        "UNMATCHED",
        "SUPERIOR",
        "CUTTING-EDGE",
        "UNSTOPPABLE",
        "PERFECT"
    ]
}

2. Client

This is where users interact with your agent. You will configure this part at the top of the characters.json file by adding "clients": ["telegram"]

Sensitive information like your Telegram Bot Token and OpenAI API Key should never be hardcoded directly into your source code or committed to version control (like Git). We use environment variables for this.

TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN="YOUR_BOT_TOKEN_HERE"

Replace YOUR_BOT_TOKEN_HERE with the bot token you received from BotFather and saved in .env file

3. Plugin

Plugins enhance your AI agent’s capabilities. Here, we’ll create a plugin that connects to the Rootstock blockchain using the Blockscout API to fetch data such as balances, block information, transaction details, and network statistics. Let’s break this down into detailed subsections.

3.1. Setting Up the Plugin

First, set up the foundation for your plugin by importing required modules and defining the API endpoint.

We will import the ElizaOs framework components (Action, Plugin, etc.) and axios for HTTP requests. Defines the Blockscout API base URL as a constant for reuse across actions.

import { Action, HandlerCallback, IAgentRuntime, Memory, Plugin, State, elizaLogger } from "@elizaos/core";
import axios from 'axios';

const BLOCKSCOUT_API = 'https://rootstock.blockscout.com/api/v2';

3.2. Creating the Balance Retrieval Action

Next we extract a 42-character 0x address from the user’s message (or options), queries the API, converts the balance from wei to RBTC, and returns it.

const getBalance: Action = {
  name: "GET_ROOTSTOCK_BALANCE",
  description: "Fetches the balance of a Rootstock address",
  handler: async (runtime, message, state, options, callback) => {
    if (!callback) return;
    try {
      const address = message.content.text.match(/0x[a-fA-F0-9]{40}/)?.[0] || options?.address;
      if (!address) return callback({ text: "Please provide a valid 0x address" });
      const response = await axios.get(`${BLOCKSCOUT_API}/addresses/${address}`);
      const balance = (Number(response.data.coin_balance || '0') / 1e18).toFixed(5);
      callback({ text: The balance for ${address} is ${balance} RBTC });
    } catch (error: any) {
      callback({ text: Failed to fetch balance: ${error.message} });
    }
  }
};

3.3. Creating the Latest Block Information Action

Fetches the most recent block from the API and returns its number, timestamp, and hash.

const getLatestBlock: Action = {
  name: "GET_ROOTSTOCK_BLOCK",
  description: "Gets the latest block info from Rootstock",
  handler: async (runtime, message, state, options, callback) => {
    if (!callback) return;
    try {
      const response = await axios.get(`${BLOCKSCOUT_API}/blocks`);
      const block = response.data.items?.[0];
      if (!block) return callback({ text: "Failed to fetch latest block data" });
      callback({ text: Latest block:\nNumber: ${block.height}\nTimestamp: ${block.timestamp}\nHash: ${block.hash} });
    } catch (error: any) {
      callback({ text: Failed to fetch latest block: ${error.message} });
    }
  }
};

3.4. Creating the Transaction Details Action

This section extracts a 66-character transaction hash, retrieves its details from the API, and returns key info like status, block number, and value in RBTC.

const getTransactions: Action = {
  name: "GET_ROOTSTOCK_TRANSACTIONS",
  description: "Fetches transaction details by hash",
  handler: async (runtime, message, state, options, callback) => {
    if (!callback) return;
    try {
      const txHash = message.content.text.match(/0x[a-fA-F0-9]{64}/)?.[0] || options?.txHash;
      if (!txHash) return callback({ text: "Please provide a valid transaction hash" });
      const response = await axios.get(`${BLOCKSCOUT_API}/transactions/${txHash}`);
      const tx = response.data;
      callback({
        text: Transaction Details:\nHash: ${tx.hash}\nStatus: ${tx.status}\nBlock: ${tx.block}\nValue: ${(Number(tx.value) / 1e18).toFixed(5)} RBTC
      });
    } catch (error: any) {
      callback({ text: Failed to fetch transaction: ${error.message} });
    }
  }
};

3.5. Creating the Network Statistics Action

Retrieves network-wide stats like total addresses, transactions, and average block time, then formats them for the user.

const getNetworkStats: Action = {
  name: "GET_NETWORK_STATS",
  description: "Fetches Rootstock network statistics",
  handler: async (runtime, message, state, options, callback) => {
    if (!callback) return;
    try {
      const response = await axios.get(`${BLOCKSCOUT_API}/stats`);
      const stats = response.data;
      callback({
        text: Network Stats:\nTotal Addresses: ${stats.total_addresses}\nTotal Transactions: ${stats.total_transactions}\nAvg Block Time: ${(stats.average_block_time / 1000).toFixed(2)}s
      });
    } catch (error: any) {
      callback({ text: Failed to fetch stats: ${error.message} });
    }
  }
};

3.6. Defining the Plugin

Finally, we bundle all the actions into a plugin named @elizaos/plugin-mode-query, making them available to the ElizaOs framework.

const modeQueryPlugin: Plugin = {
  name: "@elizaos/plugin-mode-query",
  description: "Queries Rootstock network data",
  actions: [getBalance, getLatestBlock, getTransactions, getNetworkStats]
};

export default modeQueryPlugin;

Step 3: Run the Agent

  • Install Dependencies: Use pnpm install to install all necessary dependencies for your project.

  • Build the Project: Run pnpm build to compile and prepare your project for execution.

  • Start the Agent: Execute the agent with the command pnpm start --characters="./agent/characters/rootstock.character.json”. This command tells ElizaOS to use the rootstock.character.json file for the agent's configuration.

Step 4: Interact with Agent

Open Telegram and search for your bot by its username (e.g., @rootstock_intern_bot). Start a conversation by sending a message like "Hello" or "What can you do?"

Test Rootstock Queries:

Balance Check: Send a message like "What's the balance of 0x82A06eBdb97776a2DA4041DF8F2b2Ea8d3257852"

Latest Block: Ask "What's the latest block on Rootstock?"

Transaction Details: Request transaction details by hash, e.g., "Show me details for transaction 0x01aa44c510929847b5ce0c93d53f791f4aafbe94f3ed067a5a58239a523d26fd"

Network Statistics: Ask "What are the current network statistics?"

By following these steps, you can confirm that your AI agent is fully functional and ready to assist users with Rootstock-related queries via Telegram.

Full-code

Get the full source code by cloning the repository:

git clone https://github.com/cuongpo/rootstock-ai-agent

Conclusion

With these steps, you have successfully created an AI agent that can answer questions about Rootstock via Telegram. This agent can be extended with more features by integrating different plugins. Remember that developing plugins requires programming knowledge and access to Rootstock's API.

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Written by

Henry Pham
Henry Pham