How to Add a Bot to Your Discord Server

Bots are what separate good Discord servers from great ones. Here's exactly how to add one.

What You Need

Manage Server permission on the server you're adding the bot to
A bot to add (from the bot's website, top.gg, or a server listing)

Step-by-Step: Adding a Bot

1. Find the Bot's Invite Link

Every bot has a unique invite link, usually found on the bot's official website or its listing on bot directories.

2. Click the Invite Link

The link will open a Discord authorisation page in your browser.

3. Select Your Server

From the dropdown menu, choose the server you want to add the bot to. You'll only see servers where you have the Manage Server permission.

4. Review the Permissions

Discord will show you a list of permissions the bot is requesting. These are the minimum permissions it needs to function.

Be cautious of bots requesting Administrator. Most well-built bots only request the specific permissions they need.

5. Click Authorise

After reviewing permissions, click Authorise and complete any CAPTCHA. The bot will now appear in your server's member list.

6. Set Up the Bot

Most bots require initial configuration:

Run the bot's setup command (usually /setup or !setup)
Assign the bot's role to the correct position in your role hierarchy
Configure which channels it can post in

Giving the Bot the Right Role Position

This is the most commonly missed step. If your bot manages roles, the bot's own role must be higher than those roles in the hierarchy.

Go to Server Settings → Roles and drag the bot's role above any roles it needs to manage.

Common Issues

| Problem | Fix | |---------|-----| | Bot not responding | Check it has permission to read and send messages in that channel | | Bot can't assign roles | Move the bot's role higher in the hierarchy | | Bot commands not showing | Give members 'Use Application Commands' permission | | Bot keeps going offline | This is the bot developer's issue, not yours |

Removing a Bot

Go to Server Settings → Integrations → Bots and Apps and click Kick next to the bot you want to remove.