- name
- zulip
- description
- Interact with Zulip chat platform via REST API and Python client. Use when you need to read messages from streams/topics, send messages to channels or users, manage DM conversations, list users, or integrate with Zulip organizations for team communication workflows.
Zulip Integration
Interact with Zulip chat platform for team communication.
Setup
1. Install Python Client
pip install zulip2. Create Configuration File
Create ~/.config/zulip/zuliprc:
[api]
email=bot@example.zulipchat.com
key=YOUR_API_KEY_HERE
site=https://example.zulipchat.comGet credentials from Zulip admin panel (Settings → Bots).
3. Verify Connection
python scripts/zulip_client.py streamsQuick Start
Using the Helper Script
The scripts/zulip_client.py provides common operations:
List streams:
python scripts/zulip_client.py streams
python scripts/zulip_client.py streams --jsonRead messages:
# Recent stream messages (by name)
python scripts/zulip_client.py messages --stream "General" --num 10
# By stream ID (more reliable, use 'streams' to find IDs)
python scripts/zulip_client.py messages --stream-id 42 --num 10
# Specific topic
python scripts/zulip_client.py messages --stream "General" --topic "Updates"
# Private messages
python scripts/zulip_client.py messages --type private --num 5
# Mentions
python scripts/zulip_client.py messages --type mentionedNote: Stream names may have descriptions that look like part of the name. Use --stream-id for unambiguous identification.
Send messages:
# To stream
python scripts/zulip_client.py send --type stream --to "General" --topic "Updates" --content "Hello!"
# Private message (user_id)
python scripts/zulip_client.py send --type private --to 123 --content "Hi there"List users:
python scripts/zulip_client.py users
python scripts/zulip_client.py users --jsonUsing Python Client Directly
import zulip
client = zulip.Client(config_file="~/.config/zulip/zuliprc")
# Read messages
result = client.get_messages({
"anchor": "newest",
"num_before": 10,
"num_after": 0,
"narrow": [{"operator": "stream", "operand": "General"}]
})
# Send to stream
client.send_message({
"type": "stream",
"to": "General",
"topic": "Updates",
"content": "Message text"
})
# Send DM
client.send_message({
"type": "private",
"to": [user_id],
"content": "Private message"
})Using curl
# List streams
curl -u "bot@example.com:KEY" https://example.zulipchat.com/api/v1/streams
# Get messages
curl -u "bot@example.com:KEY" -G \
"https://example.zulipchat.com/api/v1/messages" \
--data-urlencode 'anchor=newest' \
--data-urlencode 'num_before=20' \
--data-urlencode 'num_after=0' \
--data-urlencode 'narrow=[{"operator":"stream","operand":"General"}]'
# Send message
curl -X POST "https://example.zulipchat.com/api/v1/messages" \
-u "bot@example.com:KEY" \
--data-urlencode 'type=stream' \
--data-urlencode 'to=General' \
--data-urlencode 'topic=Updates' \
--data-urlencode 'content=Hello!'Common Workflows
Monitor Stream for New Messages
def get_latest_messages(client, stream_name, last_seen_id=None):
narrow = [{"operator": "stream", "operand": stream_name}]
if last_seen_id:
# Get only messages after last seen
request = {
"anchor": last_seen_id,
"num_before": 0,
"num_after": 100,
"narrow": narrow
}
else:
# Get recent messages
request = {
"anchor": "newest",
"num_before": 20,
"num_after": 0,
"narrow": narrow
}
result = client.get_messages(request)
return result["messages"]Reply to Topic
def reply_to_message(client, original_message, reply_text):
"""Reply in the same stream/topic as original message."""
client.send_message({
"type": "stream",
"to": original_message["display_recipient"],
"topic": original_message["subject"],
"content": reply_text
})Search Messages
def search_messages(client, keyword, stream=None):
narrow = [{"operator": "search", "operand": keyword}]
if stream:
narrow.append({"operator": "stream", "operand": stream})
result = client.get_messages({
"anchor": "newest",
"num_before": 50,
"num_after": 0,
"narrow": narrow
})
return result["messages"]Get User ID by Email
def get_user_id(client, email):
"""Find user_id by email address."""
result = client.get_members()
for user in result["members"]:
if user["email"] == email:
return user["user_id"]
return NoneMessage Formatting
Zulip uses Markdown:
- Bold:
**text** - Italic:
*text* - Code: `
code` - Code block:
``language\
code\
- **Quote:** `> quoted text`
- **Mention user:** `@**Full Name**`
- **Link stream:** `#**stream-name**`
- **Link:** `[text](url)`
## Advanced Features
### Upload and Share Files
with open("file.pdf", "rb") as f: result = client.upload_file(f) file_url = result["uri"]
Share in message
client.send_message({ "type": "stream", "to": "General", "topic": "Files", "content": f"Check out this file" })
### React to Messages
Add reaction
client.add_reaction({ "message_id": 123, "emoji_name": "thumbs_up" })
Remove reaction
client.remove_reaction({ "message_id": 123, "emoji_name": "thumbs_up" })
## Reference
See `references/api-quick-reference.md` for complete API documentation, endpoints, and examples.
## Troubleshooting
**Config file not found:**
- Ensure `~/.config/zulip/zuliprc` exists with correct format
- Check file permissions (should be readable)
**Authentication failed:**
- Verify API key is correct
- Check bot is active in Zulip admin panel
- Ensure site URL matches organization URL
**Empty messages array:**
- Bot might not be subscribed to the stream
- Use `client.get_subscriptions()` to check subscriptions
- Admin may need to add bot to private streams
**Rate limit errors:**
- Standard limit: 200 requests/minute
- Message limit: ~20-30/minute
- Add delays between bulk operations
- Check `Retry-After` header on 429 responses