# Getting started with the Messaging API
There are 2 ways to create a bot using the Messaging API.
# Creating a channel on the LINE Developers Console
This section explains how to create a channel on the LINE Developers Console.
What's a channel?
A channel is a communication path for using the functions provided by the LINE Platform in the services developed by the provider. To use the LINE Platform, create a channel and associate your service with the channel. Channels must have a name, description, and icon image. When a channel is created, a unique channel ID is issued to identify the channel.
# Step 1: Log in to the LINE Developers Console
Log in to the LINE Developers Console with the email address and password of your LINE account or a QR Code displayed on the login screen.
If you don't have a LINE account, download LINE and create your LINE account.
Log in to LINE Developers Console
# Step 2: Register as a developer (only on first login)
When you first log in to the LINE Developers Console, enter your name and email address to create a developer account.
# Step 3: Create a new provider
Enter a name for the provider. The provider is the entity that offers your app. For example, you can use your own name or the name of your company.
# Step 4: Create a channel
Enter the required information for your channel. "LINE" or a similar string can't be included in the channel name.
# Step 5: Confirm a channel
Confirm that a channel has been created.
LINE Official Account Manager also displays the LINE Official Account that corresponds to this channel. You can start to configure the LINE Official Account.
# Adding a Messaging API channel to a LINE Official account created with LINE for Business or other methods
Enable the use of the Messaging API in the LINE Official Account Manager to use the LINE Official Account created with LINE for Business or other methods in bot mode.
# Step 1: Enable the use of the Messaging API
When enabling the use of the Messaging API in the LINE Official Account Manager, a Messaging API channel is created. For more information, see Settings Overview.
During the process, you are prompted to select a provider to manage your LINE Official Account. If you plan to link your account to other LINE Login channels or other channels, select the same provider as the channel.
The provider can't be changed later.
# Step 2: Log in to the LINE Developers Console
The created Messaging API channel can be configured in the LINE Developers Console. Log in to your LINE Developers Console with the same LINE account as your LINE Official Account Manager.
# Step 3: Register as a developer (only on first login)
When you first log in to the LINE Developers Console, enter your name and email address to create a developer account.
# Step 4: Confirm a channel
Select a provider and confirm that a channel has been created.
# Next steps
You have now created a channel for your bot. Next, configure your channel to build your own bot or to deploy a sample bot.