Wikipedia:Bots/Noticeboard

Bots noticeboard

Here we coordinate and discuss Wikipedia issues related to bots and other programs interacting with the MediaWiki software. Bot operators are the main users of this noticeboard, but even if you are not one, your comments will be welcome. Just make sure you are aware about our bot policy and know where to post your issue.

Do not post here if you came to

• discuss non-urgent bot issues, bugs and suggestions for improvement. Do that at the bot operator's talk page
• discuss urgent/major bot issues. Do that according to instructions at WP:BOTISSUE
• discuss general questions about the MediaWiki software and syntax. We have the village pump's technical section for that
• request approval for your new bot. Here is where you should do it
• request new functionality for bots. Share your ideas at the dedicated page

Inactive bots (February 2025)

The following bots appear to be eligible to lose their rights due to inactivity, as per User:MajavahBot/Bot status report:

Bot account	Operator(s)	Last activity (UTC)	Last operator activity (UTC)
Thadius856AWB	Thadius856	19 Jan 2011	07 Nov 2022
Joe's Null Bot	Joe Decker	28 Dec 2018	11 Dec 2022
Joe's Olympic Bot	Joe Decker	03 Oct 2013	11 Dec 2022
IndentBot	Notacardoor	20 May 2022	11 Dec 2022
RottenBot	Notacardoor	10 Nov 2021	11 Dec 2022
PotatoBot	Anypodetos	02 Jun 2014	12 Dec 2022
ZackBot	Zackmann08	26 Nov 2018	26 Jan 2023

– DreamRimmer (talk) 16:42, 5 February 2025 (UTC)

I note Joe's Null Bot is a tricky one, since it only performs unlogged actions. See previous discussion at Wikipedia:Bots/Noticeboard/Archive 12#Checking for bot activity for example. Also it looks like the data-sortvalue fields in your table are wrong. Anomie⚔ 00:46, 6 February 2025 (UTC)

Fixed. – DreamRimmer (talk) 01:31, 6 February 2025 (UTC)

Operators notified. Primefac (talk) 16:12, 9 February 2025 (UTC)

Is it time to deflag now? * Pppery * _{it has begun...} 18:06, 23 February 2025 (UTC)

Sorted. Primefac (talk) 20:06, 23 February 2025 (UTC)

Creating a bot account

I'd like to create a bot account (and then request for approval later) but for some reason my IP range has been blocked so I can't create the account. What should I do? ―Panamitsu (talk) 23:16, 27 February 2025 (UTC)

You might need to request an IP block exemption. See Wikipedia:IP block exemption for details. Once granted, you can go to Special:CreateAccount while logged in to create a bot account.

For bot approval, please review WP:BOTPOL and WP:BRFA. – DreamRimmer (talk) 00:09, 28 February 2025 (UTC)

IPBE doesn't really help with account creation. There is no getting around an account creation block (even for sysops). The solutions are: a) use another IP range to create the account; b) ask a friend to create it for you, using the 'email password' option; c) get the IP block adjusted (try asking the blocking admin); d) create it on another wiki and ask any admin to attach a local account; and e) use WP:ACC. -- zzuuzz ^(talk) 00:25, 28 February 2025 (UTC)

The block expires in a few months so I think I'm just going to add it to my calendar and wait it out. ―Panamitsu (talk) 01:15, 28 February 2025 (UTC)

My range was blocked when I needed to create my bot accounts, but I was able to create them after Novem granted me temporary IPBE. – DreamRimmer (talk) 02:11, 28 February 2025 (UTC)

You may be right, things may have changed (I mean you may have also hopped on to a different IP). I last tried and failed shortly before your own IPBE experience, after the last claimed fix. Fortunately we can experiment with User:Panamitsu. Panamitsu: I've granted you IPBE for one week, which should be enough time to think of a bot name and try it out. Please report back, if not here then to me on my talk page. Thanks. -- zzuuzz ^(talk) 09:52, 28 February 2025 (UTC)

Thanks I'll try it tomorrow. ―Panamitsu (talk) 09:58, 28 February 2025 (UTC)

Thanks zzuuzz. It's worked and I've created the account SauronBot. The IPBE can be removed now (or left to expire, however it's done). ―Panamitsu (talk) 22:31, 28 February 2025 (UTC)

I've just read WP:EXEMPTBOT and have found the text any bot or automated editing process that affects only the operator's or their own userspace (user pages, user talk pages, user's module sandbox pages and subpages thereof), and which are not otherwise disruptive, may be run without prior approval and because I only plan on it editings its own user page I think I won't seek approval. ―Panamitsu (talk) 22:36, 28 February 2025 (UTC)