Programming Your Own Oracle: Build a Basic Prediction Bot with Python

Ever found yourself asking the universe a yes-or-no question and just hoping for a sign? Yeah, same. I’ve been there—staring at the ceiling wondering if I should take that weekend trip or just catch up on sleep. Then it hit me: why not make a mini oracle? You know, one that actually talks back.

So I opened my laptop, brewed some coffee, and hacked together a little prediction bot in Python. And let me tell you—it’s weirder (and cooler) than I expected.

Why Flip a Coin When You Can Ask a Bot?

I once used a pizza topping to make a life decision. Don’t ask. Let’s just say pepperoni doesn’t always offer great advice. Since then, I figured there’s gotta be a better way.

A friend joked I was channeling Lectura De Cartas en Decatur with how often I was consulting my bot. I didn’t even deny it.

What You’ll Need

Let’s break it down like you would to a curious buddy:

A list of quirky responses (make them yours)
A splash of randomness (thank you random.choice())
A sprinkle of drama (pauses, colors—make it mysterious)
Optional: add the time of day for flavor
And Python, of course

How To Build It — Step by Step

Step 1: Create Your Response Pool

import random

responses = [
    "Absolutely yes.",
    "Definitely not.",
    "Try again later.",
    "Unclear... consult again at dusk.",
    "Yes, but only on Tuesdays.",
    "No, unless you dream about it tonight."
]

Step 2: Ask the User for a Question

question = input("What do you want to know? ")
print("Let me check the cosmic winds...")

Step 3: Pick a Random Response

answer = random.choice(responses)
print(f"The Oracle says: {answer}")

Step 4: Add Some Time-of-Day Magic

from datetime import datetime

hour = datetime.now().hour

if hour < 12:
    print("Morning answers tend to be more optimistic.")
elif hour < 18:
    print("Afternoon clarity is questionable.")
else:
    print("Evening whispers hold secrets...")

Step 5: Create a Pause for Dramatic Effect

import time

print("Consulting...")
time.sleep(1.5)
print("Still searching the ether...")
time.sleep(1)

Step 6: Add Some Color to the Output

from termcolor import colored

print(colored(f"The Oracle says: {answer}", "cyan"))

Step 7: Make It a Function

def get_prediction():
    question = input("Ask your question: ")
    print(random.choice(responses))

Step 8: Loop It Until They Quit

while True:
    get_prediction()
    if input("Ask again? (y/n) ").lower() != 'y':
        break

Step 9: Easter Egg for Love Questions

if "love" in question.lower():
    print("Matters of the heart require patience and pie.")

Step 10: Log the Questions

with open("oracle_log.txt", "a") as log:
    log.write(f"Q: {question} | A: {answer}\n")

Real Talk: Why This Is Fun

First off, it’s hilarious. But also, you’re learning stuff like:

Loops that actually do something
How to make Python feel less robotic
Playing with libraries like termcolor and datetime
Giving your code a soul (kinda)

Someone at a meetup once asked if I was dabbling in Santeria en Decatur when they saw my terminal flash “The Oracle says: Yes.” I mean… I’m flattered?

Then another person DM’d me like, “Hey, I know actual Brujos en Decatur who’d dig this!” So clearly I’m in good company.