A chatbot framework is a software platform that provides the tools and resources needed to create, deploy, and manage chatbots. These frameworks often include pre-built components, libraries, and APIs that simplify the development process, allowing developers to focus on designing the chatbot's functionality and user experience. Many chatbot frameworks support various messaging platforms, such as Facebook Messenger and Slack, enabling chatbots to interact with users across different channels. They also often incorporate features like natural language processing (NLP) to help chatbots understand and respond to user queries more effectively.