Build a WeChat Chatbot with Python: Step-by-Step Guide Using wxpy

1. Project Introduction

WeChat, with over a billion daily active users, can be automated using Python. This article explains how to build a WeChat chat robot from scratch, targeting beginners with no prior experience.

2. Library Selection

Two main Python libraries for WeChat automation are itchat and wxpy. wxpy is built on top of itchat, offering an object‑oriented interface and tighter integration with AI services such as Turing Robot and XiaoI Robot. For most users, wxpy is recommended; if you need deeper extensibility, choose itchat.

3. Implementation Principle

Both wxpy and itchat simulate the web version of WeChat, logging in via QR code and invoking WeChat’s web APIs. The underlying code can be inspected in the itchat source repository.

3.1 Turing Robot Integration

To enable automatic replies, the tutorial uses the Turing Robot API. Users can register for a free account at tuling123.com and obtain an API key. A default key is provided in the project, but it is advisable to use your own to avoid rate limits.

3.2 Overall Workflow

The overall process is illustrated by a sequence diagram (image omitted for brevity).

4. Project Code

The repository is hosted on GitHub. The article details how to clone the project using PyCharm’s "Clone or download" feature and configure the project interpreter to install the required wxpy package.

4.1 Download the Project

Clone the repository from https://github.com/pig6/wxrobot and open it in PyCharm.

4.2 Install wxpy

After opening the project, install the wxpy library either via PyCharm’s UI or by running:

pip install -U wxpy -i "https://pypi.doubanio.com/simple/"

4.3 Run the Bot

Execute the script using PyCharm’s run button or the run command. A QR code will appear; scan it with the WeChat mobile app to log in and start chatting.

5. Summary

Testing with a primary account for a week showed no bans as long as messages are not spammy.

If a ban occurs, it only affects the web login; the mobile client remains functional and the ban lifts automatically after a few days.

Using a secondary account is recommended; accounts created after 2018 cannot log in to the web version.

The web version limits certain features (e.g., adding friends, creating groups) to prevent abuse.

This tutorial covers the basic functionality; more features will be added in future updates.

Future versions may switch to iPad login to overcome current web‑login limitations.

The Turing Robot’s AI still has room for improvement.

Special thanks to a contributor for providing a test WeChat account.

Project URL: https://github.com/pig6/wxrobot wxpy documentation: https://wxpy.readthedocs.io/zh/latest