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Raji Sherifdeen ayinla
Raji Sherifdeen ayinla

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Building Definition Bot: Thinking Simple, Building Smart

As part of the HNG Internship, The stage 3 task for backend was to build AI agents, So I decided to take on something small but meaningful — a project that would stretch my creativity, logic, and ability to ship something functional in a short time. That’s how Definition Bot was born.

The Idea

The idea behind Definition Bot is simple:

Type a word, and the bot instantly gives you its definition.

No distractions, no complex commands — just quick, helpful definitions.

I’ve always believed that simplicity is powerful. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel to learn or build something impactful. The goal of this project was to keep things minimal yet purposeful — focusing more on clean logic and easy usability rather than heavy architecture.

The Tech

The bot is built entirely with TypeScript, ensuring strong typing, better structure, and maintainable code.

To power the AI side of the bot, I experimented with Mastra AI, which made handling definitions and language understanding smoother. It’s a lightweight integration that adds a layer of intelligence without complicating the setup.

By combining simple logic with a touch of AI, Definition Bot can respond quickly and accurately to definition requests — all while being open, transparent, and easy to extend.

Why It Matters

This project wasn’t just about building a bot — it was about learning how to think.

As developers, we often chase complexity, but during the HNG internship, I’ve realized that thinking simple often leads to better solutions. It’s about focusing on the user’s need and removing unnecessary noise.

Check it Out

You can explore the code, contribute, or try it out
Here:

Closing Thoughts

Definition Bot may be a small project, but it represents a bigger mindset — start small, think clearly, and build with purpose.

Every big step starts with a simple idea, and for me, this was one of those steps.
Here’s to learning, building, and growing through HNG

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