diff --git a/middlewareNode/src/models/users.js b/middlewareNode/src/models/users.js
index c752560a..8144cfb8 100644
--- a/middlewareNode/src/models/users.js
+++ b/middlewareNode/src/models/users.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-const mongoose = require("mongoose");
+  const mongoose = require("mongoose");
 const { Schema, model } = mongoose;
 
 /**
diff --git a/middlewareNode/src/routes/bot.js b/middlewareNode/src/routes/bot.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..728abfa7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/middlewareNode/src/routes/bot.js
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+// TODO: Replace stubEngine with real conversationEngine once implemented
+
+const express = require("express");
+const passport = require("passport");
+const router = express.Router();
+const { generateBotResponse } = require("../utils/conversationEngine");
+
+router.post("/respond", passport.authenticate("jwt"), async (req, res) => {
+  try {
+    const { currentState, userMessage } = req.body;
+
+    if (!currentState || !userMessage) {
+      return res.status(400).json({ error: "Missing currentState or userMessage" });
+    }
+
+    // Call conversation engine
+    const response = generateBotResponse({
+      currentState,
+      userMessage
+    });
+
+    return res.json(response);
+
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.error(error);
+    return res.status(500).json({ error: "Server error" });
+  }
+});
+
+module.exports = router;
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/middlewareNode/src/server.js b/middlewareNode/src/server.js
index b9368c98..c3c04d49 100644
--- a/middlewareNode/src/server.js
+++ b/middlewareNode/src/server.js
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ app.use("/lessons", require("./routes/lessons"));
 app.use("/activities", require("./routes/activities"));
 app.use("/streak", streakRoutes);
 app.use("/badges", require("./routes/badges"));
+app.use("/bot", require("./routes/bot"));
 
 // Start server on specified port
 const PORT = process.env.PORT || 8000;
diff --git a/middlewareNode/src/utils/conversationEngine.js b/middlewareNode/src/utils/conversationEngine.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..102b88f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/middlewareNode/src/utils/conversationEngine.js
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+function generateBotResponse({ currentState, userMessage, developmentPlan }) {
+  return {
+    botMessage: "This is a temporary stub response while the conversation engine is being implemented.",
+    nextState: "ASK_SCHOOL"
+  };
+}
+
+module.exports = { generateBotResponse };
\ No newline at end of file