zulip

name	zulip
description	Interact with Zulip chat platform via REST API and Python client. Use when you need to read messages from streams/topics, send messages to channels or users, manage DM conversations, list users, or integrate with Zulip organizations for team communication workflows.

Zulip Integration

Interact with Zulip chat platform for team communication.

Setup

1. Install Python Client

pip install zulip

2. Create Configuration File

Create ~/.config/zulip/zuliprc:

[api]
email=[e-mail]
key=YOUR_API_KEY_HERE
site=https://example.zulipchat.com

Get credentials from Zulip admin panel (Settings → Bots).

3. Verify Connection

python scripts/zulip_client.py streams

Quick Start

Using the Helper Script

The scripts/zulip_client.py provides common operations:

List streams:

python scripts/zulip_client.py streams
python scripts/zulip_client.py streams --json

Read messages:

# Recent stream messages (by name)
python scripts/zulip_client.py messages --stream "General" --num 10

# By stream ID (more reliable, use 'streams' to find IDs)
python scripts/zulip_client.py messages --stream-id 42 --num 10

# Specific topic
python scripts/zulip_client.py messages --stream "General" --topic "Updates"

# Private messages
python scripts/zulip_client.py messages --type private --num 5

# Mentions
python scripts/zulip_client.py messages --type mentioned

Note: Stream names may have descriptions that look like part of the name. Use --stream-id for unambiguous identification.

Send messages:

# To stream
python scripts/zulip_client.py send --type stream --to "General" --topic "Updates" --content "Hello!"

# Private message (user_id)
python scripts/zulip_client.py send --type private --to 123 --content "Hi there"

List users:

python scripts/zulip_client.py users
python scripts/zulip_client.py users --json

Using Python Client Directly

import zulip

client = zulip.Client(config_file="~/.config/zulip/zuliprc")

# Read messages
result = client.get_messages({
    "anchor": "newest",
    "num_before": 10,
    "num_after": 0,
    "narrow": [{"operator": "stream", "operand": "General"}]
})

# Send to stream
client.send_message({
    "type": "stream",
    "to": "General",
    "topic": "Updates",
    "content": "Message text"
})

# Send DM
client.send_message({
    "type": "private",
    "to": [user_id],
    "content": "Private message"
})

Using curl

# List streams
curl -u "[e-mail]:KEY" https://example.zulipchat.com/api/v1/streams

# Get messages
curl -u "[e-mail]:KEY" -G \
  "https://example.zulipchat.com/api/v1/messages" \
  --data-urlencode 'anchor=newest' \
  --data-urlencode 'num_before=20' \
  --data-urlencode 'num_after=0' \
  --data-urlencode 'narrow=[{"operator":"stream","operand":"General"}]'

# Send message
curl -X POST "https://example.zulipchat.com/api/v1/messages" \
  -u "[e-mail]:KEY" \
  --data-urlencode 'type=stream' \
  --data-urlencode 'to=General' \
  --data-urlencode 'topic=Updates' \
  --data-urlencode 'content=Hello!'

Common Workflows

Monitor Stream for New Messages

def get_latest_messages(client, stream_name, last_seen_id=None):
    narrow = [{"operator": "stream", "operand": stream_name}]
    
    if last_seen_id:
        # Get only messages after last seen
        request = {
            "anchor": last_seen_id,
            "num_before": 0,
            "num_after": 100,
            "narrow": narrow
        }
    else:
        # Get recent messages
        request = {
            "anchor": "newest",
            "num_before": 20,
            "num_after": 0,
            "narrow": narrow
        }
    
    result = client.get_messages(request)
    return result["messages"]

Reply to Topic

def reply_to_message(client, original_message, reply_text):
    """Reply in the same stream/topic as original message."""
    client.send_message({
        "type": "stream",
        "to": original_message["display_recipient"],
        "topic": original_message["subject"],
        "content": reply_text
    })

Search Messages

def search_messages(client, keyword, stream=None):
    narrow = [{"operator": "search", "operand": keyword}]
    
    if stream:
        narrow.append({"operator": "stream", "operand": stream})
    
    result = client.get_messages({
        "anchor": "newest",
        "num_before": 50,
        "num_after": 0,
        "narrow": narrow
    })
    
    return result["messages"]

Get User ID by Email

def get_user_id(client, email):
    """Find user_id by email address."""
    result = client.get_members()
    
    for user in result["members"]:
        if user["email"] == email:
            return user["user_id"]
    
    return None

Message Formatting

Zulip uses Markdown:

• Bold: **text**
• Italic: *text*
• Code: `code`
• Code block: ```language\ncode\n```
• Quote: > quoted text
• Mention user: @**Full Name**
• Link stream: #**stream-name**
• Link: [text](url)

Advanced Features

Upload and Share Files

with open("file.pdf", "rb") as f:
    result = client.upload_file(f)
    file_url = result["uri"]

# Share in message
client.send_message({
    "type": "stream",
    "to": "General",
    "topic": "Files",
    "content": f"Check out [this file]({file_url})"
})

React to Messages

# Add reaction
client.add_reaction({
    "message_id": 123,
    "emoji_name": "thumbs_up"
})

# Remove reaction
client.remove_reaction({
    "message_id": 123,
    "emoji_name": "thumbs_up"
})

Reference

See references/api-quick-reference.md for complete API documentation, endpoints, and examples.

Troubleshooting

Config file not found:

• Ensure ~/.config/zulip/zuliprc exists with correct format
• Check file permissions (should be readable)

Authentication failed:

• Verify API key is correct
• Check bot is active in Zulip admin panel
• Ensure site URL matches organization URL

Empty messages array:

• Bot might not be subscribed to the stream
• Use client.get_subscriptions() to check subscriptions
• Admin may need to add bot to private streams

Rate limit errors:

• Standard limit: 200 requests/minute
• Message limit: ~20-30/minute
• Add delays between bulk operations
• Check Retry-After header on 429 responses