A chat loop is a cycle in a conversation graph that returns to an earlier conversational state or sequence. Unlike a directed acyclic graph, a dialogue graph permits branches to reconnect and repeat. section 12.3.2
Loops let a chatbot revisit a thought or question while incorporating new user information. Used carefully, this recursion supports cooperative dialogue and can make responses appear more intelligent. section 12.3.2
When designing a looping dialogue:
- Model states and transitions as a graph rather than assuming a one-way tree. section 12.3.2
- Use repeated states to let users retry, reconsider, or continue after new information appears. section 12.3.2
Counting dialogue
A counting lesson can be represented as named states such as start, welcome, and question states, with user triggers selecting the next transition and handling correct or incorrect answers. section 12.3.2
Listing 12.1 Elementary counting lesson
- name: start
convo_name: count by one
convo_description: Teach counting to elementary school students
nlp: keyword
version: 3.1
triggers:
- {user_text: "__next__", target: welcome}
- name: welcome
actions:
- send_message: bot_text: Let's start by counting up by 1s.
- send_message: bot_text: I will give you 3 numbers.
- send_message: bot_text: Your answer is the next number in the list.
- send_message:
bot_text: For example, if I say "4, 5, 6" you should answer "7".
- send_message: Now you try 
triggers:
- {user_text: "OK", button_text: "OK", target: q1}
- name: q1
actions:
- send_message: bot_text: 11, 12, 13
triggers:
- {user_text: 14, target: correct-answer-q1}
- {user_text: fourteen, target: correct-answer-q1}
- {user_text: "__default__", target: wrong-answer-q1}
- name: wrong-answer-q1
actions:
- send_message: bot_text: Oops!
triggers:
- {user_text: "__next__", target: q1}
- name: correct-answer-q1
actions:
- send_message: bot_text: Exactly right!
triggers:
- {user_text: "__next__", target: q2}
- name: q2
actions:
- send_message: bot_text: 16, 17, 18
triggers:
- {user_text: 19, target: stop}
- {user_text: nineteen, target: stop}
- {user_text: "__default__", target: wrong-answer-q2}
Inspect a concrete dialog configuration showing named states, messages, triggers, and branching transitions. section 12.3.2
