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

# Developers overview

> Build custom integrations and extend SiteGPT functionality

SiteGPT provides multiple ways to integrate your chatbot into your applications and workflows.

## Integration options

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="JavaScript SDK" icon="code">
    Embed your chatbot on any website with our lightweight JavaScript SDK.

    **Features:**

    * Easy installation with a single script tag
    * Customizable appearance and behavior
    * Programmatic control via JavaScript API
    * Event listeners for chatbot interactions
    * Mobile-responsive design

    [View SDK documentation](/developers/sdk)
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="REST API" icon="brackets-curly">
    Build custom integrations using our comprehensive REST API.

    **Capabilities:**

    * Manage chatbots programmatically
    * Send and receive messages
    * Access conversation history
    * Manage leads and escalations
    * Configure chatbot settings

    [View API reference](/api-reference/v2/getting-started)
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Webhooks" icon="webhook">
    Receive real-time notifications for chatbot events.

    **Available webhooks:**

    * New messages
    * Conversation escalations
    * Lead captures
    * Custom events

    [View webhooks documentation](/developers/webhooks)
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Integrations" icon="plug">
    Connect with popular platforms without writing code.

    **Available integrations:**

    * Slack, Google Chat, Messenger
    * Crisp, Freshdesk, Zendesk, Zoho
    * Zapier (5,000+ apps)

    [View integrations](/integrations/overview)
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Getting started

<Steps>
  <Step title="Choose your integration method">
    Select the approach that best fits your use case: SDK for websites, API for custom apps, webhooks for real-time events, or integrations for no-code solutions.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Get your API key">
    Find your API key in your account settings. You'll need this for API and webhook authentication.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review documentation">
    Read the relevant documentation for your chosen integration method.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test in development">
    Build and test your integration in a development environment before deploying to production.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy">
    Once tested, deploy your integration to production and monitor its performance.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Common use cases

### Website chatbot

Use the JavaScript SDK to add a chatbot to your website:

```html theme={null}
<script>
  window.$sitegpt = {
    chatbotId: "your-chatbot-id"
  };
</script>
<script src="https://sitegpt.ai/widget/your-chatbot-id.js" defer></script>
```

[Learn more about the SDK](/developers/sdk)

### Custom application

Use the REST API to integrate chatbot functionality into your app:

```javascript theme={null}
const response = await fetch('https://sitegpt.ai/api/v0/chatbots/your-chatbot-id/message', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: {
    'Authorization': 'Bearer your-api-key',
    'Content-Type': 'application/json'
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    message: 'Hello, chatbot!',
    threadId: 'optional-thread-id'
  })
});

const data = await response.json();
console.log(data.message);
```

[View API reference](/api-reference/v2/getting-started)

### Real-time notifications

Use webhooks to receive instant notifications:

```javascript theme={null}
app.post('/webhooks/leads', (req, res) => {
  const { lead } = req.body;
  
  // Add lead to your CRM
  await crm.addLead({
    name: lead.name,
    email: lead.email,
    source: 'SiteGPT chatbot'
  });
  
  res.status(200).send('OK');
});
```

[Learn about webhooks](/developers/webhooks)

### No-code automation

Use Zapier to connect SiteGPT with other tools:

1. New lead captured → Add to HubSpot
2. Conversation escalated → Create Zendesk ticket
3. Message sent → Log to Google Sheets

[Explore Zapier integration](/integrations/zapier)

## Authentication

### API key

Your API key authenticates requests to the SiteGPT API.

**Finding your API key:**

1. Go to your account settings
2. Navigate to **API Keys**
3. Copy your API key

**Using your API key:**

```bash theme={null}
curl https://sitegpt.ai/api/v0/chatbots \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer your-api-key"
```

**Security:**

* Never expose your API key in client-side code
* Store it securely in environment variables
* Rotate it regularly
* Use different keys for development and production

### Webhook tokens

Webhook tokens verify that webhook requests come from SiteGPT.

**Setting webhook tokens:**

1. Go to **Settings** > **Webhooks**
2. Enter a secure token for each webhook type
3. Save your configuration

**Verifying webhook tokens:**

```javascript theme={null}
const token = req.headers['x-webhook-token'];
if (token !== process.env.SITEGPT_WEBHOOK_TOKEN) {
  return res.status(401).send('Unauthorized');
}
```

## Rate limits

API requests are rate-limited to ensure fair usage:

* **Free plan**: 100 requests/hour
* **Starter plan**: 1,000 requests/hour
* **Pro plan**: 10,000 requests/hour
* **Enterprise plan**: Custom limits

Rate limit headers are included in API responses:

```
X-RateLimit-Limit: 1000
X-RateLimit-Remaining: 999
X-RateLimit-Reset: 1640000000
```

## Best practices

### Error handling

Always implement proper error handling:

```javascript theme={null}
try {
  const response = await fetch(apiUrl, options);
  
  if (!response.ok) {
    throw new Error(`API error: ${response.status}`);
  }
  
  const data = await response.json();
  return data;
} catch (error) {
  console.error('API request failed:', error);
  // Handle error appropriately
}
```

### Retry logic

Implement exponential backoff for failed requests:

```javascript theme={null}
async function fetchWithRetry(url, options, maxRetries = 3) {
  for (let i = 0; i < maxRetries; i++) {
    try {
      const response = await fetch(url, options);
      if (response.ok) return response;
      
      if (response.status >= 500) {
        // Server error, retry
        await sleep(Math.pow(2, i) * 1000);
        continue;
      }
      
      // Client error, don't retry
      throw new Error(`API error: ${response.status}`);
    } catch (error) {
      if (i === maxRetries - 1) throw error;
      await sleep(Math.pow(2, i) * 1000);
    }
  }
}
```

### Caching

Cache API responses when appropriate:

```javascript theme={null}
const cache = new Map();

async function getChatbot(chatbotId) {
  if (cache.has(chatbotId)) {
    return cache.get(chatbotId);
  }
  
  const chatbot = await fetchChatbot(chatbotId);
  cache.set(chatbotId, chatbot);
  
  // Expire cache after 5 minutes
  setTimeout(() => cache.delete(chatbotId), 5 * 60 * 1000);
  
  return chatbot;
}
```

### Logging

Log API interactions for debugging:

```javascript theme={null}
function logApiRequest(method, url, status, duration) {
  console.log({
    timestamp: new Date().toISOString(),
    method,
    url,
    status,
    duration: `${duration}ms`
  });
}
```

## Support

Need help with your integration?

* **Documentation**: Browse our comprehensive guides
* **API reference**: Detailed endpoint documentation
* **Email support**: [support@sitegpt.ai](mailto:support@sitegpt.ai)
* **Community**: Join our Slack community

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="JavaScript SDK" icon="code" href="/developers/sdk">
    Embed your chatbot on websites
  </Card>

  <Card title="REST API" icon="brackets-curly" href="/api-reference/v2/getting-started">
    Build custom integrations
  </Card>

  <Card title="Webhooks" icon="webhook" href="/developers/webhooks">
    Receive real-time notifications
  </Card>

  <Card title="Integrations" icon="plug" href="/integrations/overview">
    Connect with popular platforms
  </Card>
</CardGroup>