Key Takeaways
- Discord bots automate server management and enhance engagement by performing tasks like moderation, playing music, and providing interactive features such as games and memes.
- Adding bots to a Discord server involves selecting a bot, inviting it via an authorization link, and granting necessary permissions before use.
- Users can manage bots through server settings by assigning roles, modifying permissions, and using commands to adjust their functions, while unwanted bots can be easily removed.
- Popular bot directories like Top.gg and Mee6 offer a variety of bots for moderation, automation, and entertainment, with different permissions ensuring they function appropriately within a server.
Created in 2015, Discord has become one of the most popular platforms for online communities, gaming groups, and businesses. It allows users to communicate via text, voice, and video while organizing conversations into different channels. However, managing a Discord server efficiently requires more than just human moderators. This is where Discord bots come in.
Bots for Discord are automated programs that can perform a wide range of tasks. They can help manage servers, moderate chats, play music, and even provide entertainment through games and memes. Whether you want to automate administrative tasks or add fun features to your server, learning how to add a bot to Discord can greatly enhance your server experience.
In this guide, we will go over how you can add bots to a Discord server, manage them, and find the best bots to use.
How To Add Bots to Discord Server on Desktop
Adding a bot to Discord from a desktop is a straightforward process. However, you must have “Administrator” or “Manage Server” permissions to do so. Here is how to invite a Discord bot to your server in three simple steps:
1. Find a Bot
Before adding a bot, you’ll first need to find one that fits your needs. You can explore bot directories such as:
- Top.gg – A popular directory for Discord bots.
- Discord Bot List – Features bots categorized by functionality.
2. Invite the Bot
Once you have chosen a bot, follow these steps:
- Visit the bot’s webpage or directory listing.
- Click the “Invite” button.
- Log in to your Discord account if prompted.
- Then select the Discord server where you want to add the bot. Ensure you have the necessary permissions.
- Finally, review the permissions the bot is requesting and click “Authorize” to proceed.
- Congratulations, your new bot has been added to your server.
3. Verify the Bot’s Addition
- Open Discord and navigate to your server.
- Check the Members List to see if the bot has joined.
- Most bots have their default commands listed as an introduction when they enter the server. Explore the commands to use and configure the bot.
Once added, the bot will be able to perform the tasks it was designed for, depending on its permissions and settings. For example, the Pokétwo bot in the screenshots above allows users to play Pokémon.
How To Invite Bots to Discord Server on Mobile
Adding bots to Discord on mobile is just as easy as on a desktop. It follows the exact same steps as the process on desktop. Here’s how to do it by using your phone:
1. Find a Bot
There are existing websites with bot directories which you can browse, but you can also search for a bot directly in your browser.
2. Invite the Bot
Once you’ve found a bot that you like:
- Tap the “Invite” button.
- Log into your Discord account if prompted. If you’re already logged in, you won’t have to do this step.
- Choose the server where you want to invite the bot. Click “Continue”.
- Then, review the permissions the bot needs.
- Lastly, tap “Authorize” to grant the necessary access.
3. Confirm the Bot’s Addition
Once you’ve authorized the bot, you’ll have to check if it successfully made it into your server.
- Open the Discord app and go to your server.
- The bot should appear in the Members List once successfully added.
- Try using some basic commands to test its functionality.
How To Manage Bots on Discord
Once you have added a bot, you might need to customize its behavior. Discord bots often come with dashboards where you can adjust their settings, but you can also manage them directly in the Discord interface.
Steps to manage a bot on Discord include:
- Assign Bot Roles: Go to Server Settings > Roles and create or modify bot permissions.
- Change Bot Permissions: Right-click the bot in the Members List, select Roles, and assign appropriate permissions.
- Use Bot Commands: Many bots have customizable commands. Use /@<bot name> help to see a list of available commands.
- Modify Bot Settings: Finally, some bots offer web dashboards where you can change configurations. Check the bot’s website for details.
How To Remove a Bot From a Discord Server
If you no longer need a bot, removing it is simple, and it only takes a few clicks.
Steps to Remove a Bot:
- Open Discord and navigate to your server.
- Then, hover over the members list in the right-hand panel.
- Find the bot you want to remove.
- Right-click the bot and select Kick if you want to remove it temporarily.
After doing this, the bot will no longer be part of your server.
Where Can I Find Discord Bots?
There are several platforms where you can discover and invite bots for your server:
- Top.gg: One of the largest bot directories with user ratings and reviews.
- Discord Bots List: A well-organized directory with categories.
- Mee6: A popular bot for moderation and automation.
- Dyno Bot: A feature-rich moderation bot.
These platforms provide bots for various purposes, including moderation, music streaming, gaming, and server engagement.
What Are Discord Permissions?
Discord bots require specific permissions to function properly. Therefore, when inviting a bot, you will see a list of requested permissions. These permissions determine what the bot will be able to do on your server.
Common Discord Bot Permissions
Some of the most common Discord bot permissions include:
- Administrator – Grants full control over the server (use with caution).
- View Channels – Allows the bot to create and modify channels.
- Send Messages – Gives the bot permission to send messages in channels/to users.
- Manage Messages – Lets the bot delete or pin messages.
- Embed Links – Allows the bot to utilize links in its messages.
- Attach Files – It lets the bot attach files to messages.
- Read Message History – Lets the bot respond to past messages.
- Add Reactions – Allows the bot to react to user messages.
- Use External Emojis – This gives the bot more freedom in choosing emojis and includes custom ones from other servers.
Lastly, you can edit these permissions after adding the bot by going to Server Settings > Roles > Name of Bot > Permissions.
Closing Thoughts
Bots are an essential part of Discord servers, providing automation, entertainment, and moderation. Learning how to add bots to Discord can help you manage your community more effectively while making interactions more engaging.
Whether you are setting up a gaming hub, a business community, or just a place for friends, adding and managing bots properly ensures a smoother and more interactive experience. Finally, by using the right bots and adjusting their settings, you can enhance your server and streamline tasks effortlessly. Don’t forget to explore different bot directories and find the ones that best suit your server’s needs.
