Wikiquote:Bots
 | This page documents an official policy on Wikiquote. It has wide acceptance among editors and is considered a standard that all users should follow. Please do not make significant changes to this page without prior discussion. |
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A bot is an automated or semi-automated program that is used to perform repeated tasks with minimal to no human supervision. Bots can edit much faster than a human and can disrupt Wikiquote if incorrectly designed or operated. For these reasons, a bot policy has been developed.
Bot accounts
A bot should be run separately from its operator, ideally by having a separate account. The name should identify the user as a bot (a name such as "[normal user]Bot" or similar is highly recommended). Its user page should identify the operator, the purpose of the bot, and to note whether it has a bot flag. The template {{Bot}} may be used for this.
Dealing with issues
If you notice an issue regarding a bot, or have a complaint or suggestion to make, you should first contact the bot operator on their talk page. If the bot is causing a significant problem, and you feel that further discussion is warranted, please start a discussion at the village pump, indicating that you have notified the operator.
Administrators may block bot accounts that operate without approval, operate in a manner not specified in their approval request, or operate counter to the terms of their approval (for example, by editing too quickly). A block may also be issued if a bot process operates without being logged in to an account, or is logged in to an account other than its own.
Approval
A bot operator may request approval for their bot by posting a request at Wikiquote:Bots/Requests. Requests should clearly state an overview on what task(s) the bot will perform. The request will generally last between one to two weeks, but may be shortened or expanded at the discretion of an administrator or bureaucrat.