I should probably commit now. Less global magic!

README.md

@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ Most plugins are intended for public use, but a few are for other purposes, like
 A plugin can have five components, and two of them are required:
 
 | Component | Description                                          | Required? |
-|:----------|:---------------------------------------------|:----------|
+|:----------|:-----------------------------------------------------|:----------|
 | action    | Main function. Expects `msg` table as an argument.   | Y         |
 | triggers  | Table of triggers for the plugin. Uses Lua patterns. | Y         |
 | cron      | Optional function to be called every minute.         | N         |

bindings.lua

@@ -2,17 +2,13 @@
 -- Bindings for the Telegram bot API.
 -- https://core.telegram.org/bots/api
 
-assert(HTTPS)
+local bindings = {}
-assert(JSON)
-assert(URL)
 
-local BASE_URL = 'https://api.telegram.org/bot' .. config.bot_api_key
+local HTTPS = require('ssl.https')
+local JSON = require('cjson')
+local URL = require('socket.url')
 
-if config.bot_api_key == '' then
+function bindings.sendRequest(url)
-	error('You did not set your bot token in config.lua!')
-end
-
-sendRequest = function(url)
 
 	local dat, res = HTTPS.request(url)
 
@@ -30,28 +26,28 @@ sendRequest = function(url)
 
 end
 
-getMe = function()
+function bindings:getMe()
 
-	local url = BASE_URL .. '/getMe'
+	local url = self.BASE_URL .. '/getMe'
-	return sendRequest(url)
+	return bindings.sendRequest(url)
 
 end
 
-getUpdates = function(offset)
+function bindings:getUpdates(offset)
 
-	local url = BASE_URL .. '/getUpdates?timeout=20'
+	local url = self.BASE_URL .. '/getUpdates?timeout=20'
 
 	if offset then
 		url = url .. '&offset=' .. offset
 	end
 
-	return sendRequest(url)
+	return bindings.sendRequest(url)
 
 end
 
-sendMessage = function(chat_id, text, disable_web_page_preview, reply_to_message_id, use_markdown, disable_notification)
+function bindings:sendMessage(chat_id, text, disable_web_page_preview, reply_to_message_id, use_markdown, disable_notification)
 
-	local url = BASE_URL .. '/sendMessage?chat_id=' .. chat_id .. '&text=' .. URL.escape(text)
+	local url = self.BASE_URL .. '/sendMessage?chat_id=' .. chat_id .. '&text=' .. URL.escape(text)
 
 	if disable_web_page_preview == true then
 		url = url .. '&disable_web_page_preview=true'
@@ -69,30 +65,30 @@ sendMessage = function(chat_id, text, disable_web_page_preview, reply_to_message
 		url = url .. '&disable_notification=true'
 	end
 
-	return sendRequest(url)
+	return bindings.sendRequest(url)
 
 end
 
-sendReply = function(msg, text)
+function bindings:sendReply(msg, text)
 
-	return sendMessage(msg.chat.id, text, true, msg.message_id)
+	return bindings.sendMessage(self, msg.chat.id, text, true, msg.message_id)
 
 end
 
-sendChatAction = function(chat_id, action)
+function bindings:sendChatAction(chat_id, action)
  -- Support actions are typing, upload_photo, record_video, upload_video, record_audio, upload_audio, upload_document, find_location
 
-	local url = BASE_URL .. '/sendChatAction?chat_id=' .. chat_id .. '&action=' .. action
+	local url = self.BASE_URL .. '/sendChatAction?chat_id=' .. chat_id .. '&action=' .. action
-	return sendRequest(url)
+	return bindings.sendRequest(self, url)
 
 end
 
-sendLocation = function(chat_id, latitude, longitude, reply_to_message_id, disable_notification)
+function bindings:sendLocation(chat_id, latitude, longitude, reply_to_message_id, disable_notification)
 
 	if latitude == 0 then latitude = 0.001 end
 	if longitude == 0 then longitude = 0.001 end
 
-	local url = BASE_URL .. '/sendLocation?chat_id=' .. chat_id .. '&latitude=' .. latitude .. '&longitude=' .. longitude
+	local url = self.BASE_URL .. '/sendLocation?chat_id=' .. chat_id .. '&latitude=' .. latitude .. '&longitude=' .. longitude
 
 	if reply_to_message_id then
 		url = url .. '&reply_to_message_id=' .. reply_to_message_id
@@ -102,27 +98,27 @@ sendLocation = function(chat_id, latitude, longitude, reply_to_message_id, disab
 		url = url .. '&disable_notification=true'
 	end
 
-	return sendRequest(url)
+	return bindings.sendRequest(self, url)
 
 end
 
-forwardMessage = function(chat_id, from_chat_id, message_id, disable_notification)
+function bindings:forwardMessage(chat_id, from_chat_id, message_id, disable_notification)
 
-	local url = BASE_URL .. '/forwardMessage?chat_id=' .. chat_id .. '&from_chat_id=' .. from_chat_id .. '&message_id=' .. message_id
+	local url = self.BASE_URL .. '/forwardMessage?chat_id=' .. chat_id .. '&from_chat_id=' .. from_chat_id .. '&message_id=' .. message_id
 
 	if disable_notification then
 		url = url .. '&disable_notification=true'
 	end
 
-	return sendRequest(url)
+	return bindings.sendRequest(self, url)
 
 end
 
  -- TODO: More of this.
 
-sendPhotoID = function(chat_id, file_id, caption, reply_to_message_id, disable_notification)
+function bindings:sendPhotoID(chat_id, file_id, caption, reply_to_message_id, disable_notification)
 
-	local url = BASE_URL .. '/sendPhoto?chat_id=' .. chat_id .. '&photo=' .. file_id
+	local url = self.BASE_URL .. '/sendPhoto?chat_id=' .. chat_id .. '&photo=' .. file_id
 
 	if caption then
 		url = url .. '&caption=' .. URL.escape(caption)
@@ -136,20 +132,20 @@ sendPhotoID = function(chat_id, file_id, caption, reply_to_message_id, disable_n
 		url = url .. '&disable_notification=true'
 	end
 
-	return sendRequest(url)
+	return bindings.sendRequest(self, url)
 
 end
 
-curlRequest = function(curl_command)
+function bindings.curlRequest(curl_command)
  -- Use at your own risk. Will not check for success.
 
 	io.popen(curl_command)
 
 end
 
-sendPhoto = function(chat_id, photo, caption, reply_to_message_id, disable_notification)
+function bindings:sendPhoto(chat_id, photo, caption, reply_to_message_id, disable_notification)
 
-	local url = BASE_URL .. '/sendPhoto'
+	local url = self.BASE_URL .. '/sendPhoto'
 
 	local curl_command = 'curl -s "' .. url .. '" -F "chat_id=' .. chat_id .. '" -F "photo=@' .. photo .. '"'
 
@@ -165,13 +161,13 @@ sendPhoto = function(chat_id, photo, caption, reply_to_message_id, disable_notif
 		curl_command = curl_command .. ' -F "disable_notification=true"'
 	end
 
-	return curlRequest(curl_command)
+	return bindings.curlRequest(curl_command)
 
 end
 
-sendDocument = function(chat_id, document, reply_to_message_id, disable_notification)
+function bindings:sendDocument(chat_id, document, reply_to_message_id, disable_notification)
 
-	local url = BASE_URL .. '/sendDocument'
+	local url = self.BASE_URL .. '/sendDocument'
 
 	local curl_command = 'curl -s "' .. url .. '" -F "chat_id=' .. chat_id .. '" -F "document=@' .. document .. '"'
 
@@ -183,13 +179,13 @@ sendDocument = function(chat_id, document, reply_to_message_id, disable_notifica
 		curl_command = curl_command .. ' -F "disable_notification=true"'
 	end
 
-	return curlRequest(curl_command)
+	return bindings.curlRequest(curl_command)
 
 end
 
-sendSticker = function(chat_id, sticker, reply_to_message_id, disable_notification)
+function bindings:sendSticker(chat_id, sticker, reply_to_message_id, disable_notification)
 
-	local url = BASE_URL .. '/sendSticker'
+	local url = self.BASE_URL .. '/sendSticker'
 
 	local curl_command = 'curl -s "' .. url .. '" -F "chat_id=' .. chat_id .. '" -F "sticker=@' .. sticker .. '"'
 
@@ -201,13 +197,13 @@ sendSticker = function(chat_id, sticker, reply_to_message_id, disable_notificati
 		curl_command = curl_command .. ' -F "disable_notification=true"'
 	end
 
-	return curlRequest(curl_command)
+	return bindings.curlRequest(curl_command)
 
 end
 
-sendAudio = function(chat_id, audio, reply_to_message_id, duration, performer, title, disable_notification)
+function bindings:sendAudio(chat_id, audio, reply_to_message_id, duration, performer, title, disable_notification)
 
-	local url = BASE_URL .. '/sendAudio'
+	local url = self.BASE_URL .. '/sendAudio'
 
 	local curl_command = 'curl -s "' .. url .. '" -F "chat_id=' .. chat_id .. '" -F "audio=@' .. audio .. '"'
 
@@ -231,13 +227,13 @@ sendAudio = function(chat_id, audio, reply_to_message_id, duration, performer, t
 		curl_command = curl_command .. ' -F "disable_notification=true"'
 	end
 
-	return curlRequest(curl_command)
+	return bindings.curlRequest(curl_command)
 
 end
 
-sendVideo = function(chat_id, video, reply_to_message_id, duration, caption, disable_notification)
+function bindings:sendVideo(chat_id, video, reply_to_message_id, duration, caption, disable_notification)
 
-	local url = BASE_URL .. '/sendVideo'
+	local url = self.BASE_URL .. '/sendVideo'
 
 	local curl_command = 'curl -s "' .. url .. '" -F "chat_id=' .. chat_id .. '" -F "video=@' .. video .. '"'
 
@@ -257,13 +253,13 @@ sendVideo = function(chat_id, video, reply_to_message_id, duration, caption, dis
 		curl_command = curl_command .. ' -F "disable_notification=true"'
 	end
 
-	return curlRequest(curl_command)
+	return bindings.curlRequest(curl_command)
 
 end
 
-sendVoice = function(chat_id, voice, reply_to_message_id, duration, disable_notification)
+function bindings:sendVoice(chat_id, voice, reply_to_message_id, duration, disable_notification)
 
-	local url = BASE_URL .. '/sendVoice'
+	local url = self.BASE_URL .. '/sendVoice'
 
 	local curl_command = 'curl -s "' .. url .. '" -F "chat_id=' .. chat_id .. '" -F "voice=@' .. voice .. '"'
 
@@ -279,6 +275,8 @@ sendVoice = function(chat_id, voice, reply_to_message_id, duration, disable_noti
 		curl_command = curl_command .. ' -F "disable_notification=true"'
 	end
 
-	return curlRequest(curl_command)
+	return bindings.curlRequest(curl_command)
 
 end
+
+return bindings

bot.lua

@@ -1,73 +1,77 @@
-HTTP = require('socket.http')
+local bot = {}
-HTTPS = require('ssl.https')
-URL = require('socket.url')
-JSON = require('cjson')
 
-version = '3.5'
+local bindings = require('bindings') -- Load Telegram bindings.
+local utilities = require('utilities') -- Load miscellaneous and cross-plugin functions.
 
-bot_init = function() -- The function run when the bot is started or reloaded.
+bot.version = '3.5'
 
-	config = dofile('config.lua') -- Load configuration file.
+function bot:init() -- The function run when the bot is started or reloaded.
-	dofile('bindings.lua') -- Load Telegram bindings.
+
-	dofile('utilities.lua') -- Load miscellaneous and cross-plugin functions.
+	self.config = require('config') -- Load configuration file.
+
+	self.BASE_URL = 'https://api.telegram.org/bot' .. self.config.bot_api_key
+	if self.config.bot_api_key == '' then
+		error('You did not set your bot token in config.lua!')
+	end
 
 	-- Fetch bot information. Try until it succeeds.
-	repeat bot = getMe() until bot
+	repeat self.info = bindings.getMe(self) until self.info
-	bot = bot.result
+	self.info = self.info.result
 
 	-- Load the "database"! ;)
-	if not database then
+	if not self.database then
-		database = load_data(bot.username..'.db')
+		self.database = utilities.load_data(self.info.username..'.db')
 	end
 
-	plugins = {} -- Load plugins.
+	self.plugins = {} -- Load plugins.
-	for i,v in ipairs(config.plugins) do
+	for _,v in ipairs(self.config.plugins) do
-		local p = dofile('plugins/'..v)
+		local p = require('plugins/'..v)
-		table.insert(plugins, p)
+		table.insert(self.plugins, p)
+		if p.init then p.init(self) end
 	end
 
-	print('@' .. bot.username .. ', AKA ' .. bot.first_name ..' ('..bot.id..')')
+	print('@' .. self.info.username .. ', AKA ' .. self.info.first_name ..' ('..self.info.id..')')
 
 	-- Generate a random seed and "pop" the first random number. :)
 	math.randomseed(os.time())
 	math.random()
 
-	last_update = last_update or 0 -- Set loop variables: Update offset,
+	self.last_update = self.last_update or 0 -- Set loop variables: Update offset,
-	last_cron = last_cron or os.date('%M') -- the time of the last cron job,
+	self.last_cron = self.last_cron or os.date('%M') -- the time of the last cron job,
-	is_started = true -- and whether or not the bot should be running.
+	self.is_started = true -- and whether or not the bot should be running.
-	database.users = database.users or {} -- Table to cache userdata.
+	self.database.users = self.database.users or {} -- Table to cache userdata.
-	database.users[tostring(bot.id)] = bot
+	self.database.users[tostring(self.info.id)] = self.info
 
 	-- Migration code. Remove in 3.6.
-	if database.lastfm then
+	if self.database.lastfm then
-		for k,v in pairs(database.lastfm) do
+		for k,v in pairs(self.database.lastfm) do
-			if not database.users[k] then database.users[k] = {} end
+			if not self.database.users[k] then self.database.users[k] = {} end
-			database.users[k].lastfm = v
+			self.database.users[k].lastfm = v
 		end
 	end
 
 	-- Migration code. Remove in 3.6.
-	if database.nicknames then
+	if self.database.nicknames then
-		for k,v in pairs(database.nicknames) do
+		for k,v in pairs(self.database.nicknames) do
-			if not database.users[k] then database.users[k] = {} end
+			if not self.database.users[k] then self.database.users[k] = {} end
-			database.users[k].nickname = v
+			self.database.users[k].nickname = v
 		end
 	end
 
 end
 
-on_msg_receive = function(msg) -- The fn run whenever a message is received.
+function bot:on_msg_receive(msg) -- The fn run whenever a message is received.
 
 	-- Create a user entry if it does not exist.
-	if not database.users[tostring(msg.from.id)] then
+	if not self.database.users[tostring(msg.from.id)] then
-		database.users[tostring(msg.from.id)] = {}
+		self.database.users[tostring(msg.from.id)] = {}
 	end
 	-- Clear things that no longer exist.
-	database.users[tostring(msg.from.id)].username = nil
+	self.database.users[tostring(msg.from.id)].username = nil
-	database.users[tostring(msg.from.id)].last_name = nil
+	self.database.users[tostring(msg.from.id)].last_name = nil
 	-- Wee.
 	for k,v in pairs(msg.from) do
-		database.users[tostring(msg.from.id)][k] = v
+		self.database.users[tostring(msg.from.id)][k] = v
 	end
 
 	if msg.date < os.time() - 5 then return end -- Do not process old messages.
@@ -78,24 +82,24 @@ on_msg_receive = function(msg) -- The fn run whenever a message is received.
 	end -- If the replied-to message has a caption, make that its text.
 
 	if msg.text:match('^/start .+') then
-		msg.text = '/' .. msg.text:input()
+		msg.text = '/' .. utilities.input(msg.text)
 	end
 
-	for i,v in ipairs(plugins) do
+	for _,v in ipairs(self.plugins) do
-		for k,w in pairs(v.triggers) do
+		for _,w in pairs(v.triggers) do
 			if string.match(msg.text:lower(), w) then
 				-- a few shortcuts
 				msg.chat.id_str = tostring(msg.chat.id)
 				msg.from.id_str = tostring(msg.from.id)
 				msg.text_lower = msg.text:lower()
-				msg.from.name = build_name(msg.from.first_name, msg.from.last_name)
+				msg.from.name = utilities.build_name(msg.from.first_name, msg.from.last_name)
 
 				local success, result = pcall(function()
-					return v.action(msg)
+					return v.action(self, msg)
 				end)
 				if not success then
-					sendReply(msg, 'Sorry, an unexpected error occurred.')
+					bindings.sendReply(self, msg, 'Sorry, an unexpected error occurred.')
-					handle_exception(result, msg.from.id .. ': ' .. msg.text)
+					bindings.handle_exception(self, result, msg.from.id .. ': ' .. msg.text)
 					return
 				end
 				-- If the action returns a table, make that table msg.
@@ -111,28 +115,30 @@ on_msg_receive = function(msg) -- The fn run whenever a message is received.
 
 end
 
-bot_init() -- Actually start the script. Run the bot_init function.
+bot.init(bot) -- Actually start the script. Run the bot_init function.
 
-while is_started do -- Start a loop while the bot should be running.
+while bot.is_started do -- Start a loop while the bot should be running.
 
-	local res = getUpdates(last_update+1) -- Get the latest updates!
+	do
+		local res = bindings.getUpdates(bot, bot.last_update+1) -- Get the latest updates!
 		if res then
-		for i,v in ipairs(res.result) do -- Go through every new message.
+			for _,v in ipairs(res.result) do -- Go through every new message.
-			last_update = v.update_id
+				bot.last_update = v.update_id
-			on_msg_receive(v.message)
+				bot.on_msg_receive(bot, v.message)
 			end
 		else
-		print(config.errors.connection)
+			print(bot.config.errors.connection)
+		end
 	end
 
-	if last_cron ~= os.date('%M') then -- Run cron jobs every minute.
+	if bot.last_cron ~= os.date('%M') then -- Run cron jobs every minute.
-		last_cron = os.date('%M')
+		bot.last_cron = os.date('%M')
-		save_data(bot.username..'.db', database) -- Save the database.
+		utilities.save_data(bot.info.username..'.db', bot.database) -- Save the database.
-		for i,v in ipairs(plugins) do
+		for i,v in ipairs(bot.plugins) do
 			if v.cron then -- Call each plugin's cron function, if it has one.
 				local res, err = pcall(function() v.cron() end)
 				if not res then
-					handle_exception(err, 'CRON: ' .. i)
+					utilities.handle_exception(bot, err, 'CRON: ' .. i)
 				end
 			end
 		end
@@ -141,5 +147,5 @@ while is_started do -- Start a loop while the bot should be running.
 end
 
  -- Save the database before exiting.
-save_data(bot.username..'.db', database)
+utilities.save_data(bot.info.username..'.db', bot.database)
 print('Halted.')

plugins/about.lua

@@ -1,26 +1,30 @@
-local command = 'about'
+local about = {}
-local doc = '`Returns information about the bot.`'
 
-local triggers = {
+local bindings = require('bindings')
+
+about.command = 'about'
+about.doc = '`Returns information about the bot.`'
+
+about.triggers = {
 	''
 }
 
-local action = function(msg)
+function about:action(msg)
 
 	-- Filthy hack, but here is where we'll stop forwarded messages from hitting
 	-- other plugins.
 	if msg.forward_from then return end
 
-	local message = config.about_text .. '\nBased on @otouto v'..version..' by topkecleon.'
+	local message = self.config.about_text .. '\nBased on @otouto v'..self.version..' by topkecleon.'
 
-	if msg.new_chat_participant and msg.new_chat_participant.id == bot.id then
+	if msg.new_chat_participant and msg.new_chat_participant.id == self.info.id then
-		sendMessage(msg.chat.id, message, true)
+		bindings.sendMessage(self, msg.chat.id, message, true)
 		return
-	elseif msg.text_lower:match('^/about[@'..bot.username..']*') then
+	elseif msg.text_lower:match('^/about[@'..self.info.username..']*') then
-		sendMessage(msg.chat.id, message, true)
+		bindings.sendMessage(self, msg.chat.id, message, true)
 		return
 	elseif msg.text_lower:match('^/start') then
-		sendMessage(msg.chat.id, message, true)
+		bindings.sendMessage(self, msg.chat.id, message, true)
 		return
 	end
 
@@ -28,9 +32,4 @@ local action = function(msg)
 
 end
 
-return {
+return about
-	action = action,
-	triggers = triggers,
-	doc = doc,
-	command = command
-}

plugins/apod.lua

@@ -1,5 +1,13 @@
-local command = 'apod [date]'
+local apod = {}
-local doc = [[```
+
+local HTTPS = require('ssl.https')
+local JSON = require('cjson')
+local URL = require('socket.url')
+local bindings = require('bindings')
+local utilities = require('utilities')
+
+apod.command = 'apod [date]'
+apod.doc = [[```
 /apod [query]
 Returns the Astronomy Picture of the Day.
 If the query is a date, in the format YYYY-MM-DD, the APOD of that day is returned.
@@ -10,31 +18,29 @@ Returns the explanation of the APOD.
 Source: nasa.gov
 ```]]
 
-local triggers = {
+function apod:init()
-	'^/apod[@'..bot.username..']*',
+	apod.triggers = utilities.triggers(self.info.username)
-	'^/apodhd[@'..bot.username..']*',
+		:t('apod', true):t('apodhd', true):t('apodtext', true).table
-	'^/apodtext[@'..bot.username..']*'
+end
-}
 
-local action = function(msg)
+function apod:action(msg)
 
-	if not config.nasa_api_key then
+	if not self.config.nasa_api_key then
-		config.nasa_api_key = 'DEMO_KEY'
+		self.config.nasa_api_key = 'DEMO_KEY'
 	end
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
-	local caption = ''
 	local date = '*'
 	local disable_page_preview = false
 
-	local url = 'https://api.nasa.gov/planetary/apod?api_key=' .. config.nasa_api_key
+	local url = 'https://api.nasa.gov/planetary/apod?api_key=' .. self.config.nasa_api_key
 
 	if input then
 		if input:match('(%d+)%-(%d+)%-(%d+)$') then
 			url = url .. '&date=' .. URL.escape(input)
 			date = date .. input
 		else
-			sendMessage(msg.chat.id, doc, true, msg.message_id, true)
+			bindings.sendMessage(self, msg.chat.id, apod.doc, true, msg.message_id, true)
 			return
 		end
 	else
@@ -45,14 +51,14 @@ local action = function(msg)
 
 	local jstr, res = HTTPS.request(url)
 	if res ~= 200 then
-		sendReply(msg, config.errors.connection)
+		bindings.sendReply(self, msg, self.config.errors.connection)
 		return
 	end
 
 	local jdat = JSON.decode(jstr)
 
 	if jdat.error then
-		sendReply(msg, config.errors.results)
+		bindings.sendReply(msg, self.config.errors.results)
 		return
 	end
 
@@ -62,7 +68,7 @@ local action = function(msg)
 		img_url = jdat.hdurl or jdat.url
 	end
 
-	output = date .. '[' .. jdat.title  .. '](' .. img_url .. ')'
+	local output = date .. '[' .. jdat.title  .. '](' .. img_url .. ')'
 
 	if string.match(msg.text, '^/apodtext*') then
 		output = output .. '\n' .. jdat.explanation
@@ -73,13 +79,8 @@ local action = function(msg)
 		output = output .. '\nCopyright: ' .. jdat.copyright
 	end
 
-	sendMessage(msg.chat.id, output, disable_page_preview, nil, true)
+	bindings.sendMessage(self, msg.chat.id, output, disable_page_preview, nil, true)
 
 end
 
-return {
+return apod
-	action = action,
-	triggers = triggers,
-	doc = doc,
-	command = command
-}

plugins/bandersnatch.lua

@@ -1,13 +1,17 @@
-local command = 'bandersnatch'
+local bandersnatch = {}
-local doc = [[```
+
+local bindings = require('bindings')
+local utilities = require('utilities')
+
+bandersnatch.command = 'bandersnatch'
+bandersnatch.doc = [[```
 Shun the frumious Bandersnatch.
 Alias: /bc
 ```]]
 
-local triggers = {
+function bandersnatch:init()
-	'^/bandersnatch[@'..bot.username..']*',
+	bandersnatch.triggers = utilities.triggers(self.info.username):trigger('bandersnatch'):trigger('bc').table
-	'^/bc[@'..bot.username..']*'
+end
-}
 
 local fullnames = { "Wimbledon Tennismatch", "Rinkydink Curdlesnoot", "Butawhiteboy Cantbekhan", "Benadryl Claritin", "Bombadil Rivendell", "Wanda's Crotchfruit", "Biblical Concubine", "Syphilis Cankersore", "Buckminster Fullerene", "Bourgeoisie Capitalist" }
 
@@ -15,7 +19,7 @@ local firstnames = { "Bumblebee", "Bandersnatch", "Broccoli", "Rinkydink", "Bomb
 
 local lastnames = { "Coddleswort", "Crumplesack", "Curdlesnoot", "Calldispatch", "Humperdinck", "Rivendell", "Cuttlefish", "Lingerie", "Vegemite", "Ampersand", "Cumberbund", "Candycrush", "Clombyclomp", "Cragglethatch", "Nottinghill", "Cabbagepatch", "Camouflage","Creamsicle", "Curdlemilk", "Upperclass", "Frumblesnatch", "Crumplehorn", "Talisman", "Candlestick", "Chesterfield", "Bumbersplat", "Scratchnsniff", "Snugglesnatch", "Charizard", "Carrotstick", "Cumbercooch", "Crackerjack", "Crucifix", "Cuckatoo", "Cockletit", "Collywog", "Capncrunch", "Covergirl", "Cumbersnatch", "Countryside","Coggleswort", "Splishnsplash", "Copperwire", "Animorph", "Curdledmilk", "Cheddarcheese", "Cottagecheese", "Crumplehorn", "Snickersbar", "Banglesnatch", "Stinkyrash", "Cameltoe", "Chickenbroth", "Concubine", "Candygram", "Moldyspore", "Chuckecheese", "Cankersore", "Crimpysnitch", "Wafflesmack", "Chowderpants", "Toodlesnoot", "Clavichord", "Cuckooclock", "Oxfordshire", "Cumbersome", "Chickenstrips", "Battleship", "Commonwealth", "Cunningsnatch", "Custardbath", "Kryptonite", "Curdlesnoot", "Cummerbund", "Coochyrash", "Crackerdong", "Crackerdong", "Curdledong", "Crackersprout", "Crumplebutt", "Colonist", "Coochierash", "Thundersnatch" }
 
-local action = function(msg)
+function bandersnatch:action(msg)
 
 	local message
 
@@ -25,13 +29,8 @@ local action = function(msg)
 		message = firstnames[math.random(#firstnames)] .. ' ' .. lastnames[math.random(#lastnames)]
 	end
 
-	sendReply(msg, message)
+	bindings.sendReply(self, msg, message)
 
 end
 
-return {
+return bandersnatch
-	action = action,
-	triggers = triggers,
-	command = command,
-	desc = desc
-}

plugins/bible.lua

@@ -1,54 +1,54 @@
-if not config.biblia_api_key then
+local bible = {}
+
+local HTTP = require('socket.http')
+local URL = require('socket.url')
+local bindings = require('bindings')
+local utilities = require('utilities')
+
+function bible:init()
+	if not self.config.biblia_api_key then
 		print('Missing config value: biblia_api_key.')
 		print('bible.lua will not be enabled.')
 		return
+	end
+
+	bible.triggers = utilities.triggers(self.info.username):t('bible', true):t('b', true).table
 end
 
-local command = 'bible <reference>'
+bible.command = 'bible <reference>'
-local doc = [[```
+bible.doc = [[```
 /bible <reference>
 Returns a verse from the American Standard Version of the Bible, or an apocryphal verse from the King James Version. Results from biblia.com.
 Alias: /b
 ```]]
 
-local triggers = {
+function bible:action(msg)
-	'^/bible*[@'..bot.username..']*',
-	'^/b[@'..bot.username..']* ',
-	'^/b[@'..bot.username..']*$'
-}
 
-local action = function(msg)
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
-
-	local input = msg.text:input()
 	if not input then
-		sendMessage(msg.chat.id, doc, true, msg.message_id, true)
+		bindings.sendMessage(self, msg.chat.id, self.doc, true, msg.message_id, true)
 		return
 	end
 
-	local url = 'http://api.biblia.com/v1/bible/content/ASV.txt?key=' .. config.biblia_api_key .. '&passage=' .. URL.escape(input)
+	local url = 'http://api.biblia.com/v1/bible/content/ASV.txt?key=' .. self.config.biblia_api_key .. '&passage=' .. URL.escape(input)
 
 	local message, res = HTTP.request(url)
 
 	if not message or res ~= 200 or message:len() == 0 then
-		url = 'http://api.biblia.com/v1/bible/content/KJVAPOC.txt?key=' .. config.biblia_api_key .. '&passage=' .. URL.escape(input)
+		url = 'http://api.biblia.com/v1/bible/content/KJVAPOC.txt?key=' .. self.config.biblia_api_key .. '&passage=' .. URL.escape(input)
 		message, res = HTTP.request(url)
 	end
 
 	if not message or res ~= 200  or message:len() == 0 then
-		message = config.errors.results
+		message = self.config.errors.results
 	end
 
 	if message:len() > 4000 then
 		message = 'The text is too long to post here. Try being more specific.'
 	end
 
-	sendReply(msg, message)
+	bindings.sendReply(self, msg, message)
 
 end
 
-return {
+return bible
-	action = action,
-	triggers = triggers,
-	command = command,
-	doc = doc
-}

plugins/blacklist.lua

@@ -1,24 +1,31 @@
  -- This plugin will allow the admin to blacklist users who will be unable to
  -- use the bot. This plugin should be at the top of your plugin list in config.
 
-if not database.blacklist then
+local blacklist = {}
-	database.blacklist = {}
+
+local bindings = require('bindings')
+local utilities = require('utilities')
+
+function blacklist:init()
+	if not self.database.blacklist then
+		self.database.blacklist = {}
+	end
 end
 
-local triggers = {
+blacklist.triggers = {
 	''
 }
 
- local action = function(msg)
+function blacklist:action(msg)
 
-	if database.blacklist[msg.from.id_str] then return end
+	if self.database.blacklist[msg.from.id_str] then return end
-	if database.blacklist[msg.chat.id_str] then return end
+	if self.database.blacklist[msg.chat.id_str] then return end
 	if not msg.text:match('^/blacklist') then return true end
-	if msg.from.id ~= config.admin then return end
+	if msg.from.id ~= self.config.admin then return end
 
-	local target = user_from_message(msg)
+	local target = utilities.user_from_message(self, msg)
 	if target.err then
-		sendReply(msg, target.err)
+		bindings.sendReply(self, msg, target.err)
 		return
 	end
 
@@ -26,17 +33,14 @@ local triggers = {
 		target.name = 'Group'
 	end
 
-	if database.blacklist[tostring(target.id)] then
+	if self.database.blacklist[tostring(target.id)] then
-		database.blacklist[tostring(target.id)] = nil
+		self.database.blacklist[tostring(target.id)] = nil
-		sendReply(msg, target.name .. ' has been removed from the blacklist.')
+		bindings.sendReply(self, msg, target.name .. ' has been removed from the blacklist.')
 	else
-		database.blacklist[tostring(target.id)] = true
+		self.database.blacklist[tostring(target.id)] = true
-		sendReply(msg, target.name .. ' has been added to the blacklist.')
+		bindings.sendReply(self, msg, target.name .. ' has been added to the blacklist.')
 	end
 
  end
 
- return {
+ return blacklist
-	action = action,
-	triggers = triggers
-}

plugins/calc.lua

@@ -1,21 +1,28 @@
-local command = 'calc <expression>'
+local calc = {}
-local doc = [[```
+
+local URL = require('socket.url')
+local HTTPS = require('ssl.https')
+local bindings = require('bindings')
+local utilities = require('utilities')
+
+calc.command = 'calc <expression>'
+calc.doc = [[```
 /calc <expression>
 Returns solutions to mathematical expressions and conversions between common units. Results provided by mathjs.org.
 ```]]
 
-local triggers = {
+function calc:init()
-	'^/calc[@'..bot.username..']*'
+	calc.triggers = utilities.triggers(self.info.username):t('calc', true).table
-}
+end
 
-local action = function(msg)
+function calc:action(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 	if not input then
 		if msg.reply_to_message and msg.reply_to_message.text then
 			input = msg.reply_to_message.text
 		else
-			sendMessage(msg.chat.id, doc, true, msg.message_id, true)
+			bindings.sendMessage(msg.chat.id, calc.doc, true, msg.message_id, true)
 			return
 		end
 	end
@@ -24,19 +31,14 @@ local action = function(msg)
 
 	local output = HTTPS.request(url)
 	if not output then
-		sendReply(msg, config.errors.connection)
+		bindings.sendReply(self, msg, self.config.errors.connection)
 		return
 	end
 
 	output = '`' .. output .. '`'
 
-	sendMessage(msg.chat.id, output, true, msg.message_id, true)
+	bindings.sendMessage(self, msg.chat.id, output, true, msg.message_id, true)
 
 end
 
-return {
+return calc
-	action = action,
-	triggers = triggers,
-	command = command,
-	doc = doc
-}

plugins/cats.lua

@@ -1,38 +1,39 @@
-if not config.thecatapi_key then
+local cats = {}
+
+local HTTP = require('socket.http')
+local bindings = require('bindings')
+local utilities = require('utilities')
+
+function bindings:init()
+	if not self.config.thecatapi_key then
 		print('Missing config value: thecatapi_key.')
 		print('cats.lua will be enabled, but there are more features with a key.')
+	end
 end
 
-local command = 'cat'
+cats.command = 'cat'
-local doc = '`Returns a cat!`'
+cats.doc = '`Returns a cat!`'
 
-local triggers = {
+cats.triggers = utilities.triggers():t('cat')
-	'^/cat[@'..bot.username..']*$'
-}
 
-local action = function(msg)
+function cats:action(msg)
 
 	local url = 'http://thecatapi.com/api/images/get?format=html&type=jpg'
-	if config.thecatapi_key then
+	if self.config.thecatapi_key then
-		url = url .. '&api_key=' .. config.thecatapi_key
+		url = url .. '&api_key=' .. self.config.thecatapi_key
 	end
 
 	local str, res = HTTP.request(url)
 	if res ~= 200 then
-		sendReply(msg, config.errors.connection)
+		bindings.sendReply(msg, self.config.errors.connection)
 		return
 	end
 
 	str = str:match('<img src="(.-)">')
 	local output = '[Cat!]('..str..')'
 
-	sendMessage(msg.chat.id, output, false, nil, true)
+	bindings.sendMessage(self, msg.chat.id, output, false, nil, true)
 
 end
 
-return {
+return cats
-	action = action,
-	triggers = triggers,
-	doc = doc,
-	command = command
-}

plugins/dice.lua

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ local triggers = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text_lower:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text_lower)
 	if not input then
 		sendMessage(msg.chat.id, doc, true, msg.message_id, true)
 		return

plugins/dilbert.lua

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ local action = function(msg)
 
 	sendChatAction(msg.chat.id, 'upload_photo')
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 	if not input then input = os.date('%F') end
 	if not input:match('^%d%d%d%d%-%d%d%-%d%d$') then input = os.date('%F') end
 

plugins/echo.lua

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ local triggers = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 
 	if not input then
 		sendMessage(msg.chat.id, doc, true, msg.message_id, true)

plugins/gImages.lua

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ local triggers = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 	if not input then
 		if msg.reply_to_message and msg.reply_to_message.text then
 			input = msg.reply_to_message.text

plugins/gMaps.lua

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ local triggers = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 	if not input then
 		if msg.reply_to_message and msg.reply_to_message.text then
 			input = msg.reply_to_message.text

plugins/gSearch.lua

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ local triggers = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 	if not input then
 		if msg.reply_to_message and msg.reply_to_message.text then
 			input = msg.reply_to_message.text

plugins/hearthstone.lua

@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ end
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text_lower:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text_lower)
 	if not input then
 		sendMessage(msg.chat.id, doc, true, msg.message_id, true)
 		return

plugins/help.lua

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ local triggers = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text_lower:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text_lower)
 
 	-- Attempts to send the help message via PM.
 	-- If msg is from a group, it tells the group whether the PM was successful.

plugins/imdb.lua

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ local triggers = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 	if not input then
 		if msg.reply_to_message and msg.reply_to_message.text then
 			input = msg.reply_to_message.text

plugins/lastfm.lua

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ local triggers = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 
 	if string.match(msg.text, '^/lastfm') then
 		sendMessage(msg.chat.id, doc, true, msg.message_id, true)

plugins/librefm.lua

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ local triggers = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 
 	if string.match(msg.text, '^/librefm') then
 		sendMessage(msg.chat.id, doc, true, msg.message_id, true)

plugins/luarun.lua

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ local action = function(msg)
 		return
 	end
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 	if not input then
 		sendReply(msg, 'Please enter a string to load.')
 		return

plugins/me.lua

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ local action = function(msg)
 
 	local target = database.users[msg.from.id_str]
 
-	if msg.from.id == config.admin and (msg.reply_to_message or msg.text:input()) then
+	if msg.from.id == config.admin and (msg.reply_to_message or utilities.input(msg.text)) then
 		target = user_from_message(msg)
 		if target.err then
 			sendReply(msg, target.err)

plugins/moderation.lua

@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ local commands = {
 
 	['^/modcast[@'..bot.username..']*'] = function(msg)
 
-		local output = msg.text:input()
+		local output = utilities.input(msg.text)
 		if not output then
 			return 'You must include a message.'
 		end
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ local commands = {
 			return config.moderation.errors.not_admin
 		end
 
-		local modid = msg.text:input()
+		local modid = utilities.input(msg.text)
 
 		if not modid then
 			if msg.reply_to_message then
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ local commands = {
 			end
 		end
 
-		local userid = msg.text:input()
+		local userid = utilities.input(msg.text)
 		local usernm = userid
 
 		if msg.reply_to_message then
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ local commands = {
 			end
 		end
 
-		local userid = msg.text:input()
+		local userid = utilities.input(msg.text)
 		local usernm = userid
 
 		if msg.reply_to_message then

plugins/nick.lua

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ local action = function(msg)
 	end
 
 	local output
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 	if not input then
 		if database.users[target.id_str].nickname then
 			output = target.name .. '\'s nickname is "' .. database.users[target.id_str].nickname .. '".'

plugins/pokedex.lua

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ local triggers = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text_lower:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text_lower)
 	if not input then
 		if msg.reply_to_message and msg.reply_to_message.text then
 			input = msg.reply_to_message.text

plugins/preview.lua

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ local triggers = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 
 	if not input then
 		sendMessage(msg.chat.id, doc, true, nil, true)

plugins/reddit.lua

@@ -15,12 +15,12 @@ local triggers = {
 local action = function(msg)
 
 	msg.text_lower = msg.text_lower:gsub('/r/', '/r r/')
-	local input = msg.text_lower:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text_lower)
 	if msg.text_lower:match('^/r/') then
 		msg.text_lower = msg.text_lower:gsub('/r/', '/r r/')
 		input = get_word(msg.text_lower, 1)
 	else
-		input = msg.text_lower:input()
+		input = utilities.input(msg.text_lower)
 	end
 	local url
 

plugins/setandget.lua

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ local triggers = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 	database.setandget[msg.chat.id_str] = database.setandget[msg.chat.id_str] or {}
 
 	if msg.text_lower:match('^/set') then
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ local action = function(msg)
 		end
 
 		local name = get_word(input:lower(), 1)
-		local value = input:input()
+		local value = utilities.input(input)
 
 		if not name or not value then
 			sendMessage(msg.chat.id, doc, true, nil, true)

plugins/shell.lua

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ local action = function(msg)
 		return
 	end
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 	input = input:gsub('—', '--')
 	
 	if not input then

plugins/shout.lua

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ local triggers = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 
 	if not input then
 		sendMessage(msg.chat.id, doc, true, msg.message_id, true)

plugins/slap.lua

@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ local slaps = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local victim = msg.text:input()
+	local victim = utilities.input(msg.text)
 	if msg.reply_to_message then
 		if database.users[tostring(msg.reply_to_message.from.id)].nickname then
 			victim = database.users[tostring(msg.reply_to_message.from.id)].nickname

plugins/time.lua

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ local triggers = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 	if not input then
 		if msg.reply_to_message and msg.reply_to_message.text then
 			input = msg.reply_to_message.text

plugins/translate.lua

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ local triggers = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 	if not input then
 		if msg.reply_to_message and msg.reply_to_message.text then
 			input = msg.reply_to_message.text

plugins/urbandictionary.lua

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ local triggers = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 	if not input then
 		if msg.reply_to_message and msg.reply_to_message.text then
 			input = msg.reply_to_message.text

plugins/weather.lua

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ local triggers = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 	if not input then
 		if msg.reply_to_message and msg.reply_to_message.text then
 			input = msg.reply_to_message.text

plugins/wikipedia.lua

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ local triggers = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 	if not input then
 		if msg.reply_to_message and msg.reply_to_message.text then
 			input = msg.reply_to_message.text

plugins/xkcd.lua

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ local triggers = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 
 	local jstr, res = HTTP.request('http://xkcd.com/info.0.json')
 	if res ~= 200 then

plugins/youtube.lua

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ local triggers = {
 
 local action = function(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text)
 	if not input then
 		if msg.reply_to_message and msg.reply_to_message.text then
 			input = msg.reply_to_message.text

utilities.lua

@@ -1,13 +1,17 @@
 -- utilities.lua
 -- Functions shared among plugins.
 
- -- you're welcome, brayden :^)
+local utilities = {}
-HTTP = HTTP or require('socket.http')
+
-HTTPS = HTTPS or require('ssl.https')
+local HTTP = require('socket.http')
-JSON = JSON or require('cjson')
+local ltn12 = require('ltn12')
+local HTTPS = require('ssl.https')
+local URL = require('socket.url')
+local JSON = require('cjson')
+local bindings = require('bindings')
 
  -- get the indexed word in a string
-get_word = function(s, i)
+function utilities.get_word(s, i)
 
 	s = s or ''
 	i = i or 1
@@ -23,7 +27,7 @@ end
 
  -- Like get_word(), but better.
  -- Returns the actual index.
-function string:index()
+function utilities.index(s)
 	local t = {}
 	for w in s:gmatch('%g+') do
 		table.insert(t, w)
@@ -32,16 +36,16 @@ function string:index()
 end
 
  -- Returns the string after the first space.
-function string:input()
+function utilities.input(s)
-	if not self:find(' ') then
+	if not s:find(' ') then
 		return false
 	end
-	return self:sub(self:find(' ')+1)
+	return s:sub(s:find(' ')+1)
 end
 
  -- I swear, I copied this from PIL, not yago! :)
-function string:trim() -- Trims whitespace from a string.
+function utilities.trim(str) -- Trims whitespace from a string.
-	local s = self:gsub('^%s*(.-)%s*$', '%1')
+	local s = str:gsub('^%s*(.-)%s*$', '%1')
 	return s
 end
 
@@ -75,7 +79,7 @@ local lc_list = {
 }
 
  -- Replaces letters with corresponding Cyrillic characters.
-latcyr = function(str)
+function utilities.latcyr(str)
 	for k,v in pairs(lc_list) do
 		str = str:gsub(k, v)
 	end
@@ -83,7 +87,7 @@ latcyr = function(str)
 end
 
  -- Loads a JSON file as a table.
-load_data = function(filename)
+function utilities.load_data(filename)
 
 	local f = io.open(filename)
 	if not f then
@@ -98,7 +102,7 @@ load_data = function(filename)
 end
 
  -- Saves a table to a JSON file.
-save_data = function(filename, data)
+function utilities.save_data(filename, data)
 
 	local s = JSON.encode(data)
 	local f = io.open(filename, 'w')
@@ -108,18 +112,18 @@ save_data = function(filename, data)
 end
 
  -- Gets coordinates for a location. Used by gMaps.lua, time.lua, weather.lua.
-get_coords = function(input)
+function utilities:get_coords(input)
 
 	local url = 'http://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/geocode/json?address=' .. URL.escape(input)
 
 	local jstr, res = HTTP.request(url)
 	if res ~= 200 then
-		return config.errors.connection
+		return self.config.errors.connection
 	end
 
 	local jdat = JSON.decode(jstr)
 	if jdat.status == 'ZERO_RESULTS' then
-		return config.errors.results
+		return self.config.errors.results
 	end
 
 	return {
@@ -130,10 +134,10 @@ get_coords = function(input)
 end
 
  -- Get the number of values in a key/value table.
-table_size = function(tab)
+function utilities.table_size(tab)
 
 	local i = 0
-	for k,v in pairs(tab) do
+	for _,_ in pairs(tab) do
 		i = i + 1
 	end
 	return i
@@ -141,7 +145,7 @@ table_size = function(tab)
 end
 
  -- Just an easy way to get a user's full name.
-build_name = function(first, last)
+function utilities.build_name(first, last)
 	if last then
 		return first .. ' ' .. last
 	else
@@ -149,10 +153,10 @@ build_name = function(first, last)
 	end
 end
 
-resolve_username = function(input)
+function utilities:resolve_username(input)
 
 	input = input:gsub('^@', '')
-	for k,v in pairs(database.users) do
+	for _,v in pairs(self.database.users) do
 		if v.username and v.username:lower() == input:lower() then
 			return v
 		end
@@ -160,22 +164,22 @@ resolve_username = function(input)
 
 end
 
-user_from_message = function(msg)
+function utilities:user_from_message(msg)
 
-	local input = msg.text_lower:input()
+	local input = utilities.input(msg.text_lower)
 	local target = {}
 	if msg.reply_to_message then
 		target = msg.reply_to_message.from
 	elseif input and tonumber(input) then
 		target.id = input
-		if database.users[input] then
+		if self.database.users[input] then
-			for k,v in pairs(database.users[input]) do
+			for k,v in pairs(self.database.users[input]) do
 				target[k] = v
 			end
 		end
 	elseif input and input:match('^@') then
 		local uname = input:gsub('^@', '')
-		for k,v in pairs(database.users) do
+		for _,v in pairs(self.database.users) do
 			if v.username and uname == v.username:lower() then
 				for key, val in pairs(v) do
 					target[key] = val
@@ -195,21 +199,21 @@ user_from_message = function(msg)
 
 	if not target.first_name then target.first_name = 'User' end
 
-	target.name = build_name(target.first_name, target.last_name)
+	target.name = utilities.build_name(target.first_name, target.last_name)
 
 	return target
 
 end
 
-handle_exception = function(err, message)
+function utilities:handle_exception(err, message)
 
 	if not err then err = '' end
 
-	local output = '\n[' .. os.date('%F %T', os.time()) .. ']\n' .. bot.username .. ': ' .. err .. '\n' .. message .. '\n'
+	local output = '\n[' .. os.date('%F %T', os.time()) .. ']\n' .. self.info.username .. ': ' .. err .. '\n' .. message .. '\n'
 
-	if config.log_chat then
+	if self.config.log_chat then
 		output = '```' .. output .. '```'
-		sendMessage(config.log_chat, output, true, nil, true)
+		bindings.sendMessage(self, self.config.log_chat, output, true, nil, true)
 	else
 		print(output)
 	end
@@ -218,7 +222,7 @@ end
 
  -- Okay, this one I actually did copy from yagop.
  -- https://github.com/yagop/telegram-bot/blob/master/bot/utils.lua
-download_file = function(url, filename)
+function utilities.download_file(url, filename)
 
 	local respbody = {}
 	local options = {
@@ -227,7 +231,7 @@ download_file = function(url, filename)
 		redirect = true
 	}
 
-	local response = nil
+	local response
 
 	if url:match('^https') then
 		options.redirect = false
@@ -252,7 +256,7 @@ download_file = function(url, filename)
 
 end
 
-markdown_escape = function(text)
+function utilities.markdown_escape(text)
 
 	text = text:gsub('_', '\\_')
 	text = text:gsub('%[', '\\[')
@@ -262,11 +266,30 @@ markdown_escape = function(text)
 
 end
 
-function string:md_escape()
+function utilities.md_escape(s)
-	local text = self
+	s = s:gsub('_', '\\_')
-	text = text:gsub('_', '\\_')
+	s = s:gsub('%[', '\\[')
-	text = text:gsub('%[', '\\[')
+	s = s:gsub('%*', '\\*')
-	text = text:gsub('%*', '\\*')
+	s = s:gsub('`', '\\`')
-	text = text:gsub('`', '\\`')
+	return s
-	return text
+end
+
+utilities.INVOCATION_PATTERN = '/'
+
+utilities.triggers_metatable = {}
+function utilities.triggers_metatable:t(pattern, has_args)
+	self.table:insert('^'..utilities.INVOCATION_PATTERN..pattern..'$')
+	self.table:insert('^'..utilities.INVOCATION_PATTERN..pattern..'@'..self.username..'$')
+	if has_args then
+		self.table:insert('^'..utilities.INVOCATION_PATTERN..pattern..'%s+[^%s]*')
+		self.table:insert('^'..utilities.INVOCATION_PATTERN..pattern..'@'..self.username..'%s+[^%s]*')
+	end
+	return self
+end
+
+function utilities.triggers(username)
+	local self = setmetatable({}, utilities.triggers_metatable)
+	self.username = username
+	self.table = {}
+	return self
 end