diff --git a/web/pw-server/src/assets/bot_template.txt b/web/pw-server/src/assets/bot_template.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..82fa497
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/pw-server/src/assets/bot_template.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+import sys, json
+
+def move(command):
+    """ print a command record to stdout """
+    moves = []
+    if command is not None:
+        moves.append(command)
+
+    print(json.dumps({ 'moves': moves }))
+    # flush the buffer, so that the gameserver can receive the line
+    sys.stdout.flush()
+
+
+for line in sys.stdin:
+    state = json.loads(line)
+
+    # you are always player 1.
+    my_planets = [p for p in state['planets'] if p['owner'] == 1]
+    other_planets = [p for p in state['planets'] if p['owner'] != 1]
+
+    if not my_planets or not other_planets:
+        # no valid moves can be made
+        move(None)
+    else:
+        # send some ships!
+        move({
+            'origin': my_planets[0]['name'],
+            'destination': other_planets[0]['name'],
+            'ship_count': 1
+        })
diff --git a/web/pw-server/src/routes/index.svelte b/web/pw-server/src/routes/index.svelte
index 46eb635..56cb6f4 100644
--- a/web/pw-server/src/routes/index.svelte
+++ b/web/pw-server/src/routes/index.svelte
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@
   import ace from "ace-builds/src-noconflict/ace?client";
   import * as AcePythonMode from "ace-builds/src-noconflict/mode-python?client";
 
+  import defaultBotCode from "../assets/bot_template.txt?raw";
+
   let matches = [];
 
   let selectedMatchId: string | undefined = undefined;
@@ -22,7 +24,7 @@
   });
 
   function init_editor() {
-    editSession = new ace.EditSession("");
+    editSession = new ace.EditSession(defaultBotCode);
     editSession.setMode(new AcePythonMode.Mode());
   }