This guide expects you to already have some knowledge in how modding works for Space Engineers, especially SBC/XML modding.

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To start, create a file called EXACTLY NextBotsModDefinitions.xml inside YourModRootFolder/Data/.
The file name and path must be exact or my API will not be able to locate it.

This is how the file should look in explorer.
Inside the folder NextBotsModDefinitions.xml that you created, copy/paste this.

To create multiple next bots in the same mod, duplicate the text from <NextBotDefinition> to </NextBotDefinition>. You can see how I do it in my mods definitions.

Another note, SubtypeIds must be unique. If they are not unique, they will overwrite another Nextbot. For instance, if there are two bots with the SubtypeId of "Foo", only one of those bots will be added to the game. This enables the ability for you to disable bots by setting the SpawnWeight of a certain SubtypeId to zero.

The following fields are related to render. For creating TransparentMaterials, see this documentation[semref.atlassian.net]. For my own bots, I really just have this for a single texture:

The SubtypeId of a TransparentMaterialDefinition

The size of a a single texture/frame within the Texture material (0-1). If you are not using an animation/sprite sheet, there is no need to mess with this.

The amount of time spent on a single animation frame in seconds.

The number of frames present on the animation/sprite sheet.

The radius in meters of the entity billboard. Does not affect collisions.

When true, the render of the billboard will be oriented with facing direction of the entity. When false, the render will face the camera completely.

How the billboard should be rendered:

• LDR
  
• Standard
  
• PostPP
  
• AdditiveTop
  
• AdditiveBottom

When true, the render will become darker at night

Alpha transparency of the billboard. 0-1 with zero being invisible.

For creating the .XWM audio files, you may want to look at other modding guides. A guide for sound blocks should work.

The SubtypeId of a sound that loops for ambience.

The SubtypeId of a sound that plays when a player is killed.

How frequent the NextBot should spawn. Higher values increase the chance of this NextBot spawning. A weight of 0 will never spawn naturally

When testing, I recommend making the SpawnWeight a very large number so you can guarantee your bot will spawn.

Radius in meters around the entity that characters will be killed. Keep the kill radius less than or equal to the render radius for fairness.

The maximum speed the NextBot can move in m/s. Defaults to character definition's max speed

The radius around the entity that lights are effected, in meters. Affected lights will invert their enabled state and turn red. When the entity leaves the area, the lights are reset to how they were originally. This is not a destructive behavior.

The radius around the entity that doors automatically open in meters.

Here is an example of a mod that adds a custom NextBot using animations.
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2994214911

There is also a scripting API you can use. It is located at:
Data\Scripts\NextBots\API\NextBotsAPI.cs

Create the object in LoadData and dispose it in UnloadData.