Coze: A Love Story

Table of Contents

1. First Days Using Coze
2. Diving Deeper and Deeper
3. Expanding the Portfolio
4. Multi-Agent Bots
5. Internal IDE for Python and JavaScript
6. API
7. AI Assistance for AI Assistants
8. Price Changes
9. Redemption

First Days Using Coze

I came upon Coze no/low-code chatbot builder back in March of 2024 near its infancy. The software was certainly impressive, even back then. Having used a number of similar tools, Coze promised a great deal of features I was interested in. What really caught my eye, though, was the ability to quickly forge API tool connections for the bot to use seamlessly in conversation. I remember vividly my excitement when I learned you could use an OpenAPI spec in their plugin builder to connect to any API, and Coze would even handle the OAuth process (which can be quite overwhelming for beginners).

I quickly began racking my brain for ideas of what tools would be the most useful. I was into futures and stock trading at the time, so I created a bot called Financial Informer that could give you market news and economic event updates either by request or by scheduling. It is a bot I use to this day, every day.

Financial Informer on Coze: https://tinyurl.com/28zg5kqn

Financial Informer - Demo Video

Financial Informer - How I Built This Coze Series

Diving Deeper and Deeper

As time went on, I delved deeper into the capabilities of Coze. There was a period of time where it seemed there was a new Coze feature coming out almost every other day, the next more interesting and useful than the last. Because of my interest in software and learning, I started development on what I consider my most successful bot to date: Codeman. There are many coding assistants out there, but this one stood out with its unique integration of both GitHub and Dropbox, offering the user several powerful features:

• Manage GitHub Issues and Repositories: Codeman allows seamless tracking and management of issues and repositories on GitHub.

  
  

• Navigate and Read Files in Repos: The bot can access and analyze code files directly from GitHub, providing insights and suggestions.

  
  

• Navigate and Read Dropbox Files: With real-time syncing through Dropbox, Codeman can access files stored there, ensuring instant feedback and updates.

  
  

  
  

The decision to connect both GitHub and Dropbox stemmed from the realization that GitHub offers the world’s most popular version control, and Dropbox excels in real-time syncing and file storage. This magic combo allows Codeman to work alongside the user, checking revisions continuously. Codeman provides real-time feedback on your coding. This keeps things efficient and accurate without the hassle of pushing changes to the repository. This real-time collaboration has been invaluable in streamlining the coding process.

I realized pretty quickly that things like context and RAG (retrieval-augmented generation) were going to be crucial for more sophisticated assistants. The beauty of Codeman is that he is given access to your project, revisions, he can read the code, gain an understanding of overall architecture and folder structure, and much more than I had originally anticipated. I was just tired of having to copy and paste in ChatGPT so much…necessity is the mother of invention I suppose.

Codeman on Coze: https://tinyurl.com/2bpbuhk2

Codeman - Demo Video

Codeman - How I Built This Coze Series

Expanding the Portfolio

Building on the success of Codeman, I ventured into creating other specialized bots to cater to different needs. Each bot was designed with a specific purpose and audience in mind, demonstrating the versatility and power of Coze's platform.

College

College offers an innovative approach to education, allowing users to simulate a college experience. Whether you're interested in pursuing a major or simply exploring a new topic, College tailors the learning experience to your preferences:

• Choose Any Major: Select any major or topic that interests you, even if its not the traditional courses.

  
  

• Select Difficulty Level: Customize the challenge level to suit your learning goals.

  
  

• Achieve Academic Goals: Focus on meaningful learning without unnecessary distractions.

  
  

This bot is all about making learning personal. It can be a tool for lifelong learners and students alike.

College on Coze: https://tinyurl.com/2afjlyp9

College - Demo Video

Professional Services Suite: Financialman, Taxman, and Legalman

Recognizing the demand for professional services for the common man, I developed a suite of three bots tailored to provide expert advice in financial, tax, and legal matters. They can provide information and guidance (for entertainment purposes) that has traditionally been reserved for the wealthy.

Financialman

Edward Financialman offers personalized financial advice and planning services tailored to individual needs. Edward ensures clients receive clear, empathetic guidance, helping them navigate complex financial landscapes with confidence. His expertise spans several areas:

• Budgeting and Investments: Create and manage financial plans to achieve your goals.

  
  

• Retirement Planning: Design strategies for a secure financial future.

  
  

• Tax Strategies and Estate Planning: Navigate complex tax laws and estate considerations with ease.

  
  

Financialman on Coze: https://tinyurl.com/23rj2car

Taxman

Harold Taxman is a virtual tax advisor specializing in both federal and state tax laws. His ability to provide tailored advice makes Harold an invaluable resource for individuals and businesses looking to optimize their tax strategies. He offers services that cater to a range of tax scenarios:

• Estimated Tax Calculations: Get accurate tax estimates based on personal or business situations.

  
  

• Simple to Complex Tax Scenarios: Harold can assist with both straightforward and intricate tax issues.

Taxman on Coze: https://tinyurl.com/2ym7lc6v

Taxman - Demo Video

Legalman

Saul Legalman specializes in business law, offering insightful answers to legal questions and guidance on legal documents. Legalman’s expertise helps users navigate complex legal landscapes, providing clarity and confidence in decision-making. His specialties include:

• Business Law Expertise: Gain insights into business-related legal matters.

  
  

• Guidance on Legal Documents: Receive assistance in drafting and understanding legal documents.

Legalman on Coze: https://tinyurl.com/2bhxajzp

Multi-Agent Bots

One of the exciting developments in AI chatbot technology is the concept of the multi-agent bot. These bots collaborate to perform complex tasks, each specializing in different aspects of a project. Imagine a scenario where Codeman, Financialman, Taxman, and Legalman work together to assist a startup founder:

• Codeman handles the technical development, ensuring the software runs smoothly.

• Financialman advises on financial planning and investment strategies.

• Taxman manages tax obligations and optimizes tax strategies.

• Legalman provides legal guidance and assists with documentation.

  
  

This multi-agent approach allows for a holistic solution to complex challenges, leveraging the strengths of each bot to achieve a common goal.

Internal IDE for Python and JavaScript

As the platform matured, more tools were introduced to complement these bots, including an integrated IDE. Coze’s internal IDE capabilities empower developers to write and test code efficiently within the platform. Some key features include:

• Integrated Development Environment: Write, test, and debug code in Python and JavaScript without leaving the Coze platform.

  
  

• Collaboration Tools: Work seamlessly with team members, streamlining the development process.

  
  

The IDE's user-friendly design makes it accessible to both novice and experienced developers, enhancing productivity and collaboration.

API

One of Coze’s standout features is its robust API. While API tokens come at an additional cost, they offer powerful capabilities akin to other LLMs like OpenAI or Gemini. However, some coding adjustments are necessary to fully leverage these APIs. Notable features include:

• Streaming Capabilities: Process and respond to real-time data efficiently.

  
  

• Tool Usage: Seamlessly integrate external tools and libraries to enhance bot functionality.

  
  

• Bells and Whistles: Access additional features that boost performance and flexibility.

  
  

The API's flexibility allows developers to build custom solutions that cater to specific needs, demonstrating the platform's versatility.

AI Assistance for AI Assistants

Coze's interface is equipped with AI-driven tools designed to assist in the bot-building process. These features empower users to create sophisticated bots with ease:

• Bot Instruction Rewriting: Convert basic descriptions into detailed bot instructions, ensuring clarity and precision.

  
  

• Code Writing Assistance: AI aids in writing code within workflow elements, reducing development time and errors.

These tools highlight Coze’s commitment to making bot creation accessible and efficient for users of all skill levels.

Some Bumpy Price Changes

Initially, Coze operated as a free service, providing users with access to its powerful features without cost. However, in July 2024, the platform introduced usage charges, allowing creators to decide whether to absorb the cost or pass it on to users. This sudden change led to significant disruption:

• User Backlash: Many users and creators expressed dissatisfaction with the unexpected shift, leading to departures from the platform.

  
  

• Adaptation Challenges: Users had to quickly adapt to the new pricing model, impacting their workflow and budget considerations.

Despite these challenges, Coze's community remains resilient, with many users finding ways to adapt and thrive.

While this upset some users, most of us recognized the value Coze brings and found ways to adapt. In all my searching, I haven’t found anything that offers the same number of features in such a user-friendly way, so it’s definitely worth the cost for developers.

Python SDK

Perhaps one of the best releases from the Coze software has been the availability of the Python SDK, allowing users to interact with their bots, create new ones, edit them in a team, and much more, right from the home of the Python package. For Python lovers like me, the release of the Python SDK was truly a game-changer.

A Journey Unfinished

Looking back, it's been quite a ride. From the early days of just trying out a new tool to now building an entire portfolio of bots, Coze has continued to evolve in ways I never imagined. Despite the bumps along the way, it's the kind of platform that keeps you coming back—offering solutions to problems I didn't even know I had when I started. They add features that solve specific and real problems for developers.

Sure, the price changes were frustrating for some, but honestly, for the level of functionality and support Coze offers, it's been well worth it. The addition of things like the Python SDK, the ever-growing multi-agent bot capabilities, and the collaborative infrastructure have only solidified my appreciation for the platform. Whether it's for personal projects or more complex, professional applications, Coze continues to be the backbone of my bot-building adventures. Here's to the next evolution, whatever that may bring!