> Intentionally not researching how chat bots work and trying it myself first. Avoiding frameworks and starting with a simple HTTP server. And making all the mistakes I could've avoided.

Excellent ideas for learning about how those systems work. Honestly there's no better way. The problems arise when people assume their roll-your-own HTTP server is a good idea to deploy in prod.

Unless there's a really good business reason, take the knowledge you gained from that exercise to work, but leave the code at home.