AI Blocks: Ask AI and Handle Responses in erlc.dev Studio

The AI blocks in erlc.dev Studio let you integrate a local language model directly into your automations. You can send a prompt in response to any event — a Discord message, a player joining, or a custom command — and then handle the generated response in a dedicated trigger block once the model finishes. This opens the door to dynamic, natural-language interactions without relying on external APIs or cloud services.

Available Model

All AI blocks currently use the qwen2.5:1.5b model, a compact on-device language model optimised for fast inference. Set the MODEL field on each AI block to qwen2.5:1.5b.

AI Action Blocks

Use these blocks as actions inside any automation stack to initiate an inference request. They send the prompt to the model and return immediately — they do not wait for the response inline.

erlc_ask_ai

Sends the text provided in the PROMPT input to the model specified in the MODEL field. Use this for straightforward prompts where the model’s default behaviour is acceptable.

erlc_ask_ai_with_system

Sends a prompt alongside a system message. Connect a text value to PROMPT for the user message and a separate text value to SYSTEM_PROMPT to set the model’s context and persona. Set MODEL in the field.

AI generation is asynchronous. When erlc_ask_ai (or erlc_ask_ai_with_system) runs, it dispatches the prompt to the model and execution of the current stack continues immediately with the next block. The model response does not arrive inline — it fires a separate erlc_when_ai_responds event when generation completes.

Use erlc_ask_ai_with_system to constrain and shape the model’s behaviour for your specific server context. For example, set SYSTEM_PROMPT to "You are a helpful ERLC server assistant. Keep responses under two sentences and stay on topic." to prevent off-topic or excessively long replies before they reach your players.

AI Response Trigger

erlc_when_ai_responds

Fires when the model identified by the MODEL field finishes generating a response. Place action blocks inside this trigger to handle the generated text — for example, sending the response as a Discord message. Read the generated text from the event context using the erlc_event_value block.

Use Cases

Auto-reply to Discord Messages

Trigger on discord_message_create, pipe the message content into erlc_ask_ai, then send the AI response back to the channel with erlc_bot_send_message.

Summarise Emergency Calls

When an in-game call is logged, send the description to the AI and post the summary to a staff Discord channel.

Dynamic Announcements

Feed current server state (player count, active incidents) into a prompt and let the AI draft a contextual announcement.

Message Moderation

Send flagged player messages to the AI with a moderation-focused system prompt and take action based on the classification in the response.

JSON Example — Discord Message → Ask AI → Send Response

This example shows three connected pieces:

A erlc_when_discord_event trigger listening for discord_message_create.
An erlc_ask_ai block that forwards the message content as a prompt.
A separate erlc_when_ai_responds trigger that sends the response back to Discord.

Stack 1 — Send the prompt when a message arrives:

{
  "type": "erlc_when_discord_event",
  "id": "block_trigger_1",
  "fields": {
    "EVENT": "discord_message_create"
  },
  "next": {
    "block": {
      "type": "erlc_ask_ai",
      "id": "block_ask_1",
      "fields": {
        "MODEL": "qwen2.5:1.5b"
      },
      "inputs": {
        "PROMPT": {
          "block": {
            "type": "erlc_discord_event_value",
            "id": "block_msg_content_1",
            "fields": {
              "FIELD": "content"
            }
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Stack 2 — Handle the AI response and reply to the channel:

{
  "type": "erlc_when_ai_responds",
  "id": "block_ai_trigger_1",
  "fields": {
    "MODEL": "qwen2.5:1.5b"
  },
  "next": {
    "block": {
      "type": "erlc_bot_send_message",
      "id": "block_send_1",
      "inputs": {
        "MESSAGE": {
          "block": {
            "type": "erlc_event_value",
            "id": "block_ai_response_1",
            "fields": {
              "FIELD": "response"
            }
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

The two stacks above are separate trigger blocks on the canvas, not connected by a next chain. Stack 1 runs when a Discord message arrives and dispatches the AI request. Stack 2 runs independently when the model responds. This is the correct pattern for all AI-driven automations in erlc.dev Studio.

Tips for Better AI Output

Keep prompts specific

The qwen2.5:1.5b model performs best with short, specific prompts. Avoid open-ended instructions. Instead of "Help this player", write "In one sentence, tell this ERLC player how to contact staff: " + [player message].

Use the system prompt to set a persona

With erlc_ask_ai_with_system, set a system prompt like "You are a strict ERLC moderator assistant. Reply only about in-game rules." to prevent the model from straying into unrelated topics.

Rate-limit AI requests

Wrap your erlc_ask_ai block inside an erlc_throttle block to prevent a flood of Discord messages from triggering dozens of simultaneous AI requests. Set a reasonable SECONDS window (e.g. 5) and a unique KEY.

Sanitise AI output before posting

Pass the AI response through erlc_discord_escape before sending it to Discord to prevent any model-generated Markdown syntax from rendering unintentionally.

Get Started

Studio Basics

Events

Discord Actions

Game & Server

Data & Logic

Guides

AI Blocks: Ask AI and Handle Responses in erlc.dev Studio

Available Model

AI Action Blocks

erlc_ask_ai

erlc_ask_ai_with_system

AI Response Trigger

erlc_when_ai_responds

Use Cases

Auto-reply to Discord Messages

Summarise Emergency Calls

Dynamic Announcements

Message Moderation

JSON Example — Discord Message → Ask AI → Send Response

Tips for Better AI Output

​Available Model

​AI Action Blocks

erlc_ask_ai

erlc_ask_ai_with_system

​AI Response Trigger

erlc_when_ai_responds

​Use Cases

Auto-reply to Discord Messages

Summarise Emergency Calls

Dynamic Announcements

Message Moderation

​JSON Example — Discord Message → Ask AI → Send Response

​Tips for Better AI Output

Available Model

AI Action Blocks

AI Response Trigger

Use Cases

JSON Example — Discord Message → Ask AI → Send Response

Tips for Better AI Output