Add optional intro message on bot startup

When SEND_INTRO_MESSAGE=true, the bot sends "The deals must flow." as
an m.notice to the Matrix room right after startup, before the first
scheduled deal checks. Defaults to off.

https://claude.ai/code/session_017eMsVwUopgmnEyd6JJedpV

gaming_deals_bot/__main__.py

@@ -69,6 +69,8 @@ async def main():
     scheduler.start()
     logger.info("Bot started — scheduler running")
 
+    await bot.send_intro()
+
     # Run initial checks immediately (after first-run population is done)
     await bot.check_cheapshark()
     await bot.check_epic_free_games()

gaming_deals_bot/bot.py

@@ -72,6 +72,12 @@ class DealsBot:
         total = len(deals) + len(current_free) + len(upcoming)
         logger.info("First run: recorded %d existing deals/games", total)
 
+    async def send_intro(self):
+        """Send an intro message to the Matrix room if configured."""
+        if not self.config.send_intro_message:
+            return
+        await self.matrix.send_notice("The deals must flow.")
+
     async def check_cheapshark(self):
         """Poll CheapShark for deals and post new ones."""
         if not self._first_run_done:

gaming_deals_bot/config.py

@@ -19,6 +19,11 @@ class Config:
         self.min_discount_percent = int(os.environ.get("MIN_DISCOUNT_PERCENT", "50"))
         self.max_price_usd = float(os.environ.get("MAX_PRICE_USD", "20"))
 
+        # Intro message on startup
+        self.send_intro_message = os.environ.get(
+            "SEND_INTRO_MESSAGE", "false"
+        ).lower() in ("true", "1", "yes")
+
         # Database
         self.database_path = os.environ.get("DATABASE_PATH", "deals.db")
 

gaming_deals_bot/matrix_client.py

@@ -47,5 +47,26 @@ class MatrixDealsClient:
             logger.error("Matrix send error: %s", exc)
             return False
 
+    async def send_notice(self, text: str) -> bool:
+        """Send a plain m.notice (non-highlight) message to the configured room."""
+        content = {
+            "msgtype": "m.notice",
+            "body": text,
+        }
+
+        try:
+            resp = await self._client.room_send(
+                room_id=self.room_id,
+                message_type="m.room.message",
+                content=content,
+            )
+            if isinstance(resp, RoomSendError):
+                logger.error("Failed to send notice: %s", resp.message)
+                return False
+            return True
+        except Exception as exc:
+            logger.error("Matrix send error: %s", exc)
+            return False
+
     async def close(self):
         await self._client.close()