I. Introduction
Discord is a popular communication platform that connects communities of people around the world. The app is widely used by gamers, so-called Discord servers, as it allows them to communicate with one another while they’re playing games. Discord introduced bots, automated programs that help moderate, manage, and improve server functionality. Bots can add a lot of value to a Discord server by making it more interactive, user-friendly, and efficient. In this article, we’ll give you a step-by-step guide on how to add bots to your Discord server and share with you the top 5 bots every Discord server needs.
II. Step-by-step guide on how to add bots to your Discord server
A. How to create a Discord bot account
The first thing you need to do to add a bot to your Discord server is to create a bot account. To do this, you need to go to the Discord Developer Portal and click on the “New Application” button. Fill out the name of the bot and click “Create.”
Next, click on the “Bot” section on the left-hand side of the page, and then click on “Add Bot.” Once you’ve done that, you will see the bot’s token, which you need to copy and keep safe. The bot token is like a password, and you should never share it with anyone as it could give them control of your bot.
B. Invite the bot to your server
After you’ve created the bot account, the next step is to invite the bot to your Discord server. To do this, you need to go back to the Discord Developer Portal and copy the client ID of your bot. Then, go to the following URL and replace the “client_id” part with the client ID of your bot:
https://discord.com/oauth2/authorize?client_id=INSERT_CLIENT_ID_HERE&scope=bot&permissions=0
Make sure you have sufficient permissions to add bots to your server and select the server you want to add the bot to, and then click “Authorize.”
C. Configuring bot permissions
Once you’ve invited the bot to your server, you need to configure its permissions. You can do this by clicking on the “Roles” section of your server settings and create a new role for the bot. Give the role the necessary permissions for the bot to function correctly, such as being able to post messages, manage server messages, and read message history.
III. Top 5 bots every Discord server needs
Discord servers can benefit from a wide variety of bots, dependent on the community and purpose of the server. However, there are some essential bots that most servers should consider adding:
A. Music bot
The music bot allows users to play music and audio files in the server. It’s a fun addition to any server that centers around entertainment, music, or socializing. There are several music bots available, such as Rythm, Groovy, or FredBoat.
B. Moderation bot
The moderation bot helps manage the server by handling tasks such as muting, kicking, and banning members that violate server rules. Several moderation bots are popular, including MEE6, Dyno, or Gaius Cicereius.
C. Notification bot
The notification bot sends alerts to all members of the server regarding important announcements, such as scheduled maintenance or server changes. Several notification bots are widely used, such as Tatsumaki, Octave, or Mantaro.
D. Utility bot
The utility bot makes a server more informative. It performs useful tasks such as weather forecasts, time zones, and currency conversion. Several utility bots are popular, including Sidekick, GAwesomeBot, or Vexera.
E. Fun bot
The fun bot adds a sense of amusement and humor to the server. It performs entertaining tasks such as sending memes, trivia quizzes, or games. Several fun bots are well-known, including Dank Memer, Pokecord, or Miki Bot.
IV. How to customize your Discord server with bots
A. Using bots for role management
You can use bots to manage the server roles of your members. The role management bot automates the process of adding new members to roles, which can save time and increase the efficiency of your server.
B. Setting up welcome messages
With bots, you can set up automated welcome messages for new members. It’s a great way to welcome new members to the community and set the tone for the server. The welcome message can be personalized with the use of tags, avatar images, or emojis.
C. Automating channel creation and cleanup
You can automate the creation of new channels or the cleanup of inactive channels with bots. It keeps the server organized and prevents clutter. The channel management bot can automatically create channels based on tags, names, or member activity.
V. Tips for managing bots on your Discord server
A. Removing unnecessary bots
Periodically, check whether each bot in your server is still necessary and relevant. Unused bots can use up resources and slow down the server. Uninstall or ban bots that are no longer useful to your server.
B. Organizing bots in categories
If your server uses several bots, it can become challenging to navigate and locate specific bots. Categorize your bots into specific groups and organize them for easy access.
C. Making sure bots are up-to-date
Bots need regular updates, so keep an eye out for new bot releases or updates. Updating your bots will keep them running smoothly and ensure that they’re functioning correctly. If bots are not updated, they may cause server issues or not work as intended.
VI. The benefits of using bots on Discord
Adding bots to your Discord server has several advantages:
A. Decreasing moderation responsibilities
Moderation bots take on the responsibility of enforcing server rules, preventing spam or harassment. It frees up server admins and moderators to focus on other aspects of managing the server.
B. Increasing member engagement
Bots can create interactive experiences for members, fostering more significant engagement with your server. Hosting events, quizzes, or games keeps your server active and encourages members to participate.
C. Enhancing server functionality
Bots can perform a wide range of tasks, from playing music to time-zone conversions, to adding new moderation controls. Adding bots can increase the server’s functionality and improve its overall user experience.
VII. How to code a custom bot for your Discord server
A. Choosing a programming language and framework for the bot
If the available bots don’t meet your needs, you can code a custom bot. Choose a programming language for the bot, such as JavaScript, Python, or Ruby, and a framework like Discord.js or discord.py.
B. Creating a new bot application
Go to the Discord Developer Portal and create a new application as you did to create the bot account. Next, select the “Bot” section and click on “Add Bot.” Keep the bot token safe and invite it to your server as before.
C. Setting up the bot environment
Download the necessary tools, such as Node.js or Python, to develop the bot. Use libraries like Discord.js or Discord.py to create specific commands and functionality for the bot.
VIII. Conclusion
A. Recap of the importance of bots in Discord servers
Bots are invaluable tools for creating interactive, user-friendly, and efficient servers. They handle a range of tasks from moderation to channel creation to role management. Adding bots to your server can provide numerous benefits to both members and administrators.
B. Encouragement to try adding new bots to your server
We encourage you to experiment with different bots to discover which suits your server best. Start with the top 5 bots mentioned, and then try coding a custom bot to meet your community’s specific needs.
