jovo-framework

Jovo Framework: The React for Voice and Chat Apps

The Jovo Framework is an open-source platform that enables developers to create conversational and multimodal experiences for various platforms, including web, voice, and chat applications. It is known as "The React for Voice and Chat Apps" because of its component-based architecture, which allows for reusable and manageable code structures similar to React.

Key Features of Jovo Framework

1. Cross-platform Compatibility: Jovo works seamlessly across different platforms such as web, Alexa, Google Assistant, and chat services like Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and Google Business Messages. This cross-platform support makes it versatile and adaptable for a range of applications.

2. Rapid Development: With a Command Line Interface (CLI) for quick setup, local development, and browser-based debugging using the Jovo Debugger, developers can speed up their development process and create robust applications more efficiently.

3. Component-based Architecture: Similar to React, Jovo uses components for building applications. This approach encourages reusable code and makes it easier to manage complex dialog flows across various platforms.

4. Multimodal Output: The framework includes an output template engine that can translate structured content into voice, text, and visual responses, making it suitable for devices with different capabilities.

5. Extensibility: Jovo’s extensible nature allows developers to build and integrate custom plugins into the framework. This flexibility is further enhanced by a marketplace filled with integrations and plugins.

6. Integration with NLU and CMS: Jovo integrates smoothly with numerous Natural Language Understanding (NLU) services and Content Management Systems (CMS), supporting a richer and more intuitive dialog experience.

7. Robust Development Tools: Jovo provides a staging environment, a comprehensive unit testing suite, and various tools for robust application development, testing, and deployment processes.

Getting Started with Jovo

For developers new to Jovo, getting started is straightforward. You first need to install the Jovo CLI using npm:

$ npm install -g @jovotech/cli

Once the CLI is installed, you can create a new Jovo project using the following command:

$ jovo new <directory>

Replace <directory> with the desired folder name for your project. To begin development, navigate to your project directory and run the Jovo development server:

# Navigate to the project directory
$ cd <directory>

# Start the local development server
$ jovo run

# Open the Jovo Debugger by pressing "."

Community Support and Sponsorship

The Jovo Framework is supported by an active community and sponsors from the voice-first and conversational AI industry. Its development is also backed by contributions and sponsorship from Gold, Silver, and Bronze level supporters. Interested parties can support Jovo through Open Collective.

To learn more about Jovo’s capabilities or to contribute, you can explore its extensive documentation or visit the official Jovo website.

With its broad compatibility, robust toolset, and thriving community, Jovo is setting new standards for building engaging conversational experiences across multiple platforms.