# Chatbot lifecycle
EARLY ACCESS
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When you activate a chatbot it is available publicly through its entry points
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## Validate the chatbot
Validate the chatbot before activating it
Select **Validate** If there are errors identify the [location and description of the errors](https://www.infobip.com/docs/automation-studio/chatbots/build-chatbots/simulate#simulation-fail) and correct them
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## Activate the chatbot [#activate-chatbot]
You can either activate the chatbot [manually](#activate-chatbot-manual) or [schedule it to activate](#activate-chatbot-schedule) on a specific date and time
### Activate a chatbot manually [#activate-chatbot-manual]
To activate the chatbot select **Activate** The system validates the chatbot If there are no issues select **Activate** on the confirmation screen
### Schedule activation [#activate-chatbot-schedule]
If you want the chatbot to be activated on a specific date and time do the following
1. In the chatbot editor select the three dots menu and select **Schedule activation**
2. Select a time zone date and time
3. To deactivate the chatbot on a specific date and time do the following
1. Enable **Schedule deactivation time**
2. Select a time zone date and time
4. Select **Schedule**
### Activate a WhatsApp chatbot [#activate-whatsapp-chatbot]
After you activate your WhatsApp chatbot you can view the QR code You can also get a link to the chatbot Select **Copy link to chatbot**
You can use the QR code and chatbot link to do the following
- Share the QR code and link with end users through your public-facing communication options Example Display the QR code on your website and printed materials or share the link on social media and newsletters
- Scan the QR code to test your chatbot
### Chatbot uses the Infobip test sender [#activate-test-sender]
NOTE
This section is applicable only for self-service customers
If your chatbot uses the Infobip test sender you cannot share the chatbot with others You can test the chatbot only on your device with the number that you verified during signup
### Chatbot has errors [#errors-in-chatbot]
If there are errors identify the [location and description of the errors](https://www.infobip.com/docs/build-chatbots/simulate#simulation-fail) and correct them Also see the [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting) section to view solutions or workarounds for some issues
### Sender is being used by other chatbots [#sender-used-in-other-chatbots]
Each sender can have only one active chatbot If the sender is being used by other chatbots those chatbots are deactivated The chatbots cannot receive any new conversations For active conversations you can do one of the following
- **Terminate sessions gracefully** Add a grace period so that open sessions on the deactivated chatbot have time to finish before the sessions are closed End users who are engaged with the deactivated chatbot can finish their conversations before the grace period ends
When the grace period ends all open sessions are closed on the deactivated chatbot
If the end user sends a message after the grace period is over the message is sent to the new chatbot
- **Terminate sessions immediately** All active conversations on the deactivated chatbot are stopped immediately
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## Deactivate the chatbot [#deactivate]
You can deactivate a chatbot in one of the following ways
- [Manually deactivate](#deactivate-manually) an active chatbot
- (Early access) [Schedule an inactive chatbot](#deactivate-inactive-schedule) to deactivate on a specific date and time
- (Early access) [Schedule an active chatbot](#deactivate-active-schedule) to deactivate on a specific date and time
### Deactivate an active chatbot manually [#deactivate-manually]
To manually deactivate an active chatbot select **Deactivate** See the [chatbot administration](https://www.infobip.com/docs/administration) documentation to learn about chatbot statuses and how to manage them
### Schedule deactivation for an inactive chatbot [#deactivate-inactive-schedule]
You can [schedule deactivation](#activate-chatbot-schedule) for an inactive chatbot only when you also schedule activation
### Schedule deactivation for an active chatbot [#deactivate-active-schedule]
If you want an active chatbot to be deactivated on a specific date and time do the following
1. In the chatbot editor select the three dots menu and select **Schedule deactivation**
2. Select a time zone date and time
3. Select **Schedule**
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## Redeploy the chatbot
To make changes to an active chatbot and to redeploy the chatbot using the same sender make the required changes and add a grace period so that open sessions have time to finish
For more information see the Administration > [Redeployment](https://www.infobip.com/docs/administration#redeployment-manage-statuses) topic
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## Troubleshooting
The following are some of the most frequent errors and their solutions
### Number of training phrases in intent higher or lower than others [#number-of-training-phrases-in-intent-higher-or-lower-than-others-troubleshooting]
See the AI chatbots documentation for troubleshooting guidance
### Incorrect intent is matched [#incorrect-intent-is-matched-troubleshooting]
See the AI chatbots documentation for troubleshooting guidance
### Button message must not be empty [#button-message-must-not-be-empty-troubleshooting]
You are using the button channel element and you have not provided any text values to appear along with the button Go back to Dialogs and give your button message text
### Button caption must not be empty [#button-caption-must-not-be-empty-troubleshooting]
You are using the button channel element and you have not provided any text values to appear inside the button Go back to Dialogs and give your button caption text
### Button action URL must not be empty [#button-action-url-must-not-be-empty-troubleshooting]
You are using the button channel element and you have not provided a URL when called to action Go back to Dialogs and provide your button with a valid URL
### Chatbot channel and sender must be defined [#chatbot-channel-and-sender-must-be-defined-troubleshooting]
You have not selected a channel andor sender for your chatbot Go to Settings and select a sender Senders can only be used in one chatbot
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