The following page documents an officialMeta-Wiki policy. This page has been developed and approved by the community and its compliance is mandatory for all users. It must not be modified without priorcommunity approval.

Bots are automated or semi-automated processes that edit pages with reduced or no direct human supervision. Because bots may potentially strain server resources or accidentally disrupt the project,bots must follow the policy and guidelines outlined in the standardbot policy, which is also the bot policy for Meta-Wiki. This policy outlines how bots may be used on applicable projects; bots which do not follow this policy may be blocked immediately until the operator has resolved any issues or non-compliance.

• Thebot name should clearly contain the word "bot" in its username to more easily distinguish it from human editors, although exceptions may be allowed.
• A botmust be run using a separate account from the operator, as no human editor should be granted a bot flag. Its user page should clearly and visibly denote it as a bot to distinguish it from human editors (this can be achieved using the templates{{bot}} or{{Infobox Bot}}), and operators must be available to answer any comments themselves. No user is permitted to make use of automated answering scripts. Some operators may choose to redirect the bot's talk page to their own, if their bot is not configured to detect messages.

Bot accounts malfunctioning may be blocked by anyadministrator to prevent further damage to the project. Administrators are advised to turn offautoblocks when blockinglegitimate bot accounts to avoid those running from shared platforms (such asWikimedia Cloud Services) be blocked as well.

Administrators may block bot accounts performing edits or tasks for which approval has not been granted either by policy or community consensus.

This wiki uses thestandard bot policy, and allowsglobal bots andautomatic approval of certain types of bots. Requests for bot flags should be made onMeta:Requests for adminship § Requests for bot flags, providing information about the bot account, the bot owner, and the intended tasks for which approval is being sought.

Removal of bot status can take place:

• On operator request.
• Bots not respecting these requirements and/or thebot policy ones may have their bot flags revoked. Users can also seek removal of bot flags by filling a request onMeta:Requests for adminship § Requests for bot status in the same way a bot flag request, providing evidence of wrongdoing. After a week, a bureaucrat will close the discussion and determine if there are reasons to justify the removal, and will act accordingly. In emergencies or flagrant bot flag misuse, removal can take place immediately (seeMeta:Requests for help from a sysop or bureaucrat). In both cases, operators should be contacted and informed. No removal discussion can start without evidence that the operator has been notified that the bot status of their account(s) is being contested.
• Bot accounts that have made no edits or log actions for 14 continuous months will have their bot flags removed by abureaucrat. Operators will be warned seven days in advance before removal can take place. If the operator replies and states that they will intend to be active again with the bot, removal won't take place.

• Meta-Wiki policies
• User groups