How can I design a 'checkbox experience' for a message/text based bot?

Question

I'm looking to design decent solution for reflecting 'checkbox functionality' in Slack.

I'm working on a bot and during the onboarding process I need the user to set some preferences while talking to the bot. One of the preferences requires them to indicate which options from a list (5-10 items) they are interested in. In a web/mobile UI I would just use a checklist for this but I need to figure out an affective way to do the some thing via the messaging UI.

Is there an existing solution or pattern I can follow?

Answer 1

I'd think the most human-like method would work best. Ask them the settings one by one, with a short preface.

We will now start with configuration. Please answer yes or no.

Make use of cauliflower defenestration?

yes

Deconfibulate the triblomatics?

no

Alphabetically Sort typographies?

YESS

Remember to sanitize and check for variations of user inputs!

Answer 2

In my opinion, numbered list would work best as a checkbox replacement in conversational bots.

Consider an example, you want from your user to place an order of a combo containing maximum 3 items from the available menu options.

BOT

Hi there!

Here is the list of available options below, you can select a combo of maximum 3 items. Give your choice in numbers, for example write: 1, 4, 8 to order Burger + Pizza + Orange Juice.

List:

1. Burger
2. Pasta
3. Noodles
4. Pizza
5. Chocolate Milkshake
6. Strawberry Milkshake
7. Sweet Lime Juice
8. Orange Juice

User: 1,4,8

Please review your order, you’ve made a choice of:

Burger, Pizza and Orange Juice

(type ‘Yes’ to confirm or ‘No’ to re-select your choices)

User: yes

BOT

Bingo! Order saved.