If your task could be controversial (e.g. most bots making non-maintenance edits to articles and most bots posting messages on user talk pages), seek consensus for the task. Common places to start include WP:Village pump (proposals) and the talk pages of the relevant policies, guidelines, templates, and/or WikiProjects. Link to this discussion in your request for approval.
You will need to create an account for your bot if you haven't already done so. Click here when logged in to create the account, linking it to yours. (If you do not create the bot account while logged in, it is likely to be blocked as a possible sockpuppet or unauthorised bot until you verify ownership)
Create a userpage for your bot, linking to your userpage (this is commonly done using the {{bot}} template) and describing its functions. You may also include an 'emergency shutoff button'.
II
Filing the application
easy-brfa.js can be used for quickly filing BRFAs. It checks for a bunch of filing mistakes automatically! It's recommended for experienced bot operators, but the script can be used by anyone.
Enter your bot's user name in the box below and click the button. If this is a request for an additional task, put a task number as well (e.g. BotName 2).
Complete the questions on the resulting page and save it.
Your request must now be added to the correct section of the main approvals page: Click here and add {{BRFA}} to the top of the list, directly below the comment line.
For an additional task request: use {{BRFA|bot name|task number|Open}}
III
During the approvals process
During the process, an approvals group member may approve a trial for your bot (typically after allowing time for community input), and AnomieBOT will move the request to this section.
Run the bot for the specified number of edits/time period, then add {{Bot trial complete}} to the request page. It helps if you also link to the bot's contributions, and comment on any errors that may have occurred.
AnomieBOT will move the request to the 'trial complete' section by moving the {{BRFA}} template that applies to your bot
If you feel that your request is being overlooked (no BAG attention for ~1 week) you can add {{BAG assistance needed}} to the page. However, please do not use it after every comment!
At any time during the approvals process, you may withdraw your request by adding {{BotWithdrawn}} to your bot's approval page.
IV
After the approvals process
After the trial edits have been reviewed and enough time has passed for any more discussion, a BAG member will approve or deny the request appropriately.
For approved requests: The request will be listed here. If necessary, a bureaucrat will flag the bot within a couple of days and you can then run the task fully (it's best to wait for the flag, to avoid cluttering recent changes). If the bot already has a flag, or is to run without one, you may start the task when ready.
For denied/expired/withdrawn requests: The request will be listed at the bottom of the main BRFA page in the relevant section.
Before granting a trial, consider whether the task could be controversial (e.g. most bots making non-maintenance edits to articles and most bots posting messages on user talk pages). If so, and the request does not already link to a discussion showing consensus in an appropriate forum (or silence after a reasonable waiting period), use {{BOTREQ|advertise}} to request that that be done.
When you are satisfied that enough time has passed for discussion and (if relevant) that any technical issues have been resolved, use {{BotTrial}} to approve a trial run.
AnomieBOT should then move the request from the 'open' section to the trial section, and also change the last parameter of {{BRFA}} from 'Open' to 'Trial'.
Approving/denying a request
When you feel enough time has passed after the trial for discussion/analysis/improvements, and are ready to approve/deny the request (the procedure is the same for expired/withdrawn requests), add {{subst:BT|STATUS|BOT_NAME_AND_TASK_NUMBER}} (where STATUS is Approved, Speedy, Denied, Withdrawn or Expired) to the top of the request page, replacing Category:Wikipedia bot requests for approval and the code surrounding it.
Make any final comments along with a relevant status template (listed here), and add {{subst:BB}} to the bottom of the page.
Archival
AnomieBOT will typically take care of the below; these instructions are retained for posterity and in case of any interruption in bot service. As a best practice, watchlist the relevant pages and keep an eye to ensure the bot does the needful.
After closing the BRFA, you'll need to remove the BRFA template from whichever section it is in on the main requests page (tip: copy the template to the clipboard for use in the next step) and then archive it in the appropriate section:
For approved requests where a bot flag is required: Click here, and add {{BRFA|BOT_NAME|TASK_NUMBER (if needed)|Approved|~~~~~}} to the top of the list.
For approved requests where the bot is already flagged: Click the above link and add {{subst:BRFAA|BOT_NAME|TASK_NUMBER (if needed)|Flagged|~~~~~}}.
For approved requests where the bot is going to run unflagged: Click the above link and add {{subst:BRFAA|BOT_NAME|TASK_NUMBER (if needed)|Unflagged|~~~~~}}.
For denied requests: Click here and add {{BRFA|BOT_NAME|TASK_NUMBER (if needed)|Denied|~~~~~}} to the top of the list.
For expired/withdrawn requests: Click here and add {{BRFA|BOT_NAME|TASK_NUMBER (if needed)|Withdrawn/Expired|~~~~~}} to the top of the list.
Approved for trial (50 edits or 7 days, whichever happens first). Please provide a link to the relevant contributions and/or diffs when the trial is complete.
This is for a trial with a race condition, where either a singular day/time limit may result in either too much or too little information
A user has requested the attention of a member of the Bot Approvals Group. Once assistance has been rendered, please deactivate this tag by replacing it with {{t|BAG assistance needed}}.
This is intended for use if urgent attention is needed or if a request is being neglected (wait seven days first).
Your recent bot approvals request has been Status. Please see the request page for details.
== WP:RFBOT ==
Your recent bot approvals request has been approved. Please see the request page for details. When the bot flag is set it will show up in this log.
You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to a username, among other benefits.