Getting started with Discord Bots

This guide walks you through setting up your Discord bot on ServerPrism. You will learn how to order a server, configure your bot, and connect it to Discord.

Before you start

Before you deploy your bot, you need a Discord bot token. You can generate this token from the Discord Developer Portal. Create a new application, navigate to the 'Bot' tab, and click 'Add Bot'. Once created, you can reveal and copy your token. Keep this token secure; it grants full control over your bot.

Ordering on ServerPrism

1. Select a plan: Discord bots typically require at least 2 GB RAM. For bots with heavy features or many guilds, consider 4-8 GB. You can upgrade your plan later from the ServerPrism dashboard if needed.
2. Choose a runtime: ServerPrism offers several pre-configured Discord bot runtimes like Aoede, Bastion, Dynamica, and JMusicBot. Select the bot you wish to deploy. You can switch runtimes later via the 'Startup' tab in the panel.
3. Deploy: Select your preferred region and complete the order.

First boot

After ordering, your bot server will begin provisioning. This process usually takes a few minutes. You can monitor the progress in the ServerPrism panel at https://serverprism.com/dashboard. Once the server status shows 'Running' and the console output stabilizes, your bot is ready for configuration.

Configuration basics

Most Discord bots require a bot token to function. This token authenticates your bot with Discord.

1. Access Startup Variables: In your ServerPrism panel, navigate to the 'Startup' tab.
2. Enter your bot token: Locate the environment variable for your bot token. This is usually named BOT_TOKEN, DISCORD_TOKEN, or similar. Paste your Discord bot token into the corresponding field.
3. Save and restart: Click 'Save' and then restart your server from the 'Console' or 'Power' tab for the changes to take effect.

For specific bot configurations (e.g., custom prefixes, welcome messages, API keys for integrations), you will typically use one of these methods:

• Startup Variables: Check the 'Startup' tab in your panel for additional configuration options provided by the specific bot runtime.
• File Manager: Access the bot's configuration files (e.g., config.json, .env files) via the 'File Manager' in your panel. Edit these files directly.
• Web Console: Some bots offer in-game commands or a web interface for configuration. Check the bot's documentation for details.

Inviting your bot to Discord

To invite your bot to a Discord server:

1. Get your bot's Client ID: Go to the Discord Developer Portal, select your application, and copy the 'Client ID' from the 'General Information' tab.
2. Generate an invite URL: Use the following URL structure, replacing YOUR_CLIENT_ID with your bot's Client ID:

   https://discord.com/oauth2/authorize?client_id=YOUR_CLIENT_ID&scope=bot&permissions=8
   

   The permissions=8 grants administrator permissions, which is often needed for full bot functionality. Adjust permissions as necessary for your bot's specific needs.
3. Invite: Paste the generated URL into your browser, select the Discord server you wish to add the bot to, and authorize it.

Your bot should now appear in your Discord server's member list and come online shortly after your server starts.

Common issues

• Bot not coming online:
  • Incorrect Token: Double-check your BOT_TOKEN in the 'Startup' tab. Ensure there are no extra spaces or missing characters.
  • Bot permissions: In the Discord Developer Portal, under your application's 'Bot' tab, ensure 'Privileged Gateway Intents' (like PRESENCE INTENT and MESSAGE CONTENT INTENT) are enabled if your bot requires them.
  • Firewall: ServerPrism automatically configures the firewall. If you encounter connectivity issues, open a support ticket at https://serverprism.com/tickets with your server ID and recent logs.
• Bot not responding to commands:
  • Prefix issues: Verify the bot's command prefix in its configuration. Some bots use a default prefix (e.g., !, /, .)
  • Missing permissions: Ensure the bot has the necessary permissions in the Discord server it's invited to.
  • Bot offline: Check the server console in the ServerPrism panel for errors. If the bot crashed, the console will show relevant error messages.

Next steps

• Customize: Refer to your chosen bot's official documentation for advanced configuration, adding custom commands, or integrating with other services.
• Runtime Switching: If you want to try a different type of Discord bot, you can switch runtimes directly from the 'Startup' tab in your ServerPrism panel without reordering your server.
• Upgrade your plan: If your bot experiences performance issues or you plan to scale its usage, you can easily upgrade your server's RAM and CPU from your ServerPrism client dashboard.