Discord is widely used because of its strong bot-programming capabilities and its ability to facilitate real-time communication. From helping with moderation to providing entertainment and information, and even taking payments, discord has a variety of purposes. As we go along with this article, we will discover what are discord’s user interface (UI) and its application programming interfaces (APIs). Moreover, the challenges and rewards of how to write a discord bot and maintain a large codebase and supporting infrastructure are also here.
What is Discord?
Knowing discord is one best way how to create a discord bot. Millions of people all over the world use Discord, a free chat program that offers features including audio, video, and text chat, for both work and plays. In Discord, users can construct virtual meeting places (called “servers“) where they can interact with others who share common interests. This free chat program also allows users to set up invitation-only chat rooms where they can have private conversations with friends and family.
Lots of gamers, streamers, and programmers use discord for a wide variety of communication and collaboration purposes. It even has a video game retail outlet with user reviews and a membership plan.
Discord User Interface
You should first examine the user experience and the way Discord is presented to users before delving into the nitty-gritty of its implementation. Its presentation to robots is fundamentally identical but, of course, non-visual. Knowing that will help you understand how to write a discord bot.
The APIs used by bots are the same ones used by official Discord apps. Discord’s rules of service prohibit the use of a bot within a regular user account, despite the fact that this is technically doable with slight modification. Both accounts can only be used using automated software.
Take a look at how Discord looks when it’s installed in the Chrome web browser:
1-Server List
A list of servers can be seen on the far left. If you’re familiar with Slack, think of a server as a workspace where a group of people can communicate with each other via one or more channels. The administrator(s) of a server are the people who set it up and/or maintain it. The server’s creator and employees set its rules, organize its channels, and administer its users.
2-Channel List
The channels for the server appear next to the server list. It is possible to group channels into any number you like. Information, General, and Libraries are offered as options in the Discord API server. Each “channel” is like a mini-forum where people may talk about a specific subject.
3-Channel View
Discussion threads are outlined in the channel view. One message has been previewed; it contains a list of URLs for support servers for various Discord bot libraries. Regular users are restricted from posting on the service. It’s a place where administrators can post notices that won’t get lost in the flow of everyday conversation.
4-User List
Those who are currently connected to this server can be seen in the list off to the right. Users are categorized, and the names of those users are shown in corresponding colors. Because of the parts they play, this is the case. The permissions a user has on the server, the color of their name, and the category they will display under are all described by their role.
One user can (and often does) fulfill multiple roles, with the interactions between them determined by a mathematical order of precedence. Everyone has at least the @everyone role assigned to them. Server administrators can create and assign new roles.
5-Text Input
If one had permission, one could use this space to compose and send text messages. The inability to post in this forum is due to a lack of appropriate permission.
6-User
Someone with credentials is currently logged in. Others prefer to choose “Me” as the login username to prevent the issue of forgetting the password or other needed information. One may also choose a new name to use on each server, giving them the freedom to play under a variety of aliases.
What Is a Bot?
The use of Discord is on the rise. Consequently, a community’s health and growth depend on automated processes like banning undesirable people and responding to user requests. Bot users are automated programs that mimic human behavior on Discord in order to respond to events and orders.
People that utilize bots on Discord (or just bots) can do almost anything. When a user joins your guild, they feel at home and enjoy participating in the lively discussions that ensue, so they tell their friends about it. As your community expands, it may become impractical to personally welcome each new member.
What are Discord Bots?
With over 10 million active users on Discord every day, it’s evident that the popularity of online communities like Discord is on the rise. Lots of players are venturing out to try out new servers. When a server gets popular, more users join it; when the server’s population rises, it becomes difficult for admins to maintain order; this is when bots are introduced.
What Are Discord Bots Used For?
The software is used for a wide variety of purposes, including but not limited to: channel moderation, user gameplay, and music playback in voice channels., The discord bots can also perform web searches and payment processing. There are innumerable other general and specialized jobs that bots can do.
The server’s user experience can be improved in various ways through the usage of admin bots. Moreover, here are a few examples of its responsibilities:
- Positively receiving new recruits
- Explaining the most common concerns
- Removal of hazardous users from online platforms
- Taking care of messages (replies, sends, deletes)
- Persona administration on the server
Procedural Guide on How to Write a Discord Bot?
Now that you have an idea about Discord, the bots, and their purposes, it is now time to learn how to write a discord bot.
1-Creating a Discord Server
You need a dedicated server to install the bot first and foremost. On this server, this bot will only function in one specific channel. If you don’t already have a Discord account, you can easily create one by visiting the Discord website and following the instructions there.
✔ Creating a Channel on the Server
The next step is to establish a channel where the bot will operate; it will be limited to responding there.
Step 1:
Select “Add Channel” from the list of text channels.
Step 2:
Click “Text channel” as your preferred channel type, and name your channel.
Step 3:
Finally, it is time for making a Channel.
2-Creating a Bot
Now that you have your server account set up, you can make your first bot through the Discord developer site. Those interested in enhancing Discord’s functionality and using it to create new and interesting things, such as bots, can do so with the help of the Discord developer portal.
Step 1:
Enter the Discord portal and sign in using the Discord account associated with the server for which you intend to create a bot.
Step 2:
The term “application” is shorthand for “new features.” When you’re ready to create your first bot, head to the “New Application” menu and give it a fitting moniker. Keep in mind that your bot will take on the identity of the program itself.
Step 3:
If you want to make a bot, go to “Bot” in the sidebar on the left, and then click “Add Bot.”
Step 4:
When prompted to confirm that you wish to add a bot, select the “Yes, Do it!” option from the resulting pop-up window.
Step 5:
This token can be used to approve apps in Discord; to copy it, click the “COPY” button below.
✔ Customizing and Authorizing Bots
Now that your system does exist, you can begin defining its capabilities and granting access. When you talk about permissions, you’re referring to the things that our bot is allowed to do on the server. The bot’s “scope” is the functions it will carry out.
Step 1:
If you go to the OAuth2 page and then to the URL Generator, you’ll notice a number of checkboxes for various scopes. Just click the Bot box to limit the scope of this bot to just the bot.
Step 2:
The following boxes are authorization checks for your proposed box. Please ensure that all the boxes relating to granting this bot the ability to send and respond to messages are checked. This access control can be modified and a new URL can be generated at any time.
Step 3:
Down below, you’ll find a URL the bot created; to copy it, just click the copy button.
Step 4:
A new tab can be opened in your browser, and the copied URL can be pasted into the URL bar there. This is where we will authorize our bot to use the server. Select the earlier-built server, then press Continue.
Step 5:
The bot’s access settings are displayed here. Select “Authorize” to make changes to these.
Step 6:
Human verification through the captcha has been completed; the bot may now be authorized.
Step 7:
If you visit the server, you will see the bot’s name among the offline users.
✔ Writing Code for Bots
Here, you’ll implement the core functionality of your Discord bot.
Step 1: Keeping the Renewal Key
To keep your bot’s renewal key safe while you host it, you’ll need to use an environment variable (.env) file. Start by making a new file with the extension.env in your project’s directory, and pasting the following into it.
Step 2: Bringing in Parts
Make a new Python file, give it any name you like, and import the modules you need for your bot’s primary code.
Step 3: Initializing Parameters
Importing environment variables via the load dotenv() function.
Step 4: Initiating Your Robot
You’re going to make a discord client that will make a request to the discord API. And then, you’ll get and set up your token in the environment variable.
Step 5: Programming Automated Reactions
Here, you can make use of the on-ready event offered by the Discord API. After initializing of the API server, this allows immediate action to take place. You are going to print your robot’s name here.
Step 6: Running Bot
The API client you just made has a run method that accepts an authentication token as its only parameter and then calls the on-ready event to start the bot working.
3-Creating Commands
You learned how to utilize client.event for commands above, but in practice, this is not the norm. The use of a prefix to generate commands is another option that Discord has given us.
Step 1: Requirements for Importing Commands
Bringing in commands from discord.ext will be a big help in making commands work in our server.
Step 2: Pick Your Prefix
Select a starting point for the bot’s activation sequence and it will begin taking orders. Any sign, letter, or word will do. You will use “!” as your prefix because it’s the simplest option. There is already a defined and updated client.
Step 3: Developing Procedures
Now, it is time to make a command. Use a decorator name client.command for this purpose.
The Commands.Context object, or ctx, is a representation of that class. All regular commands require this argument. As so, it serves as a metaphor for the context of the issuance of the order. Numerous pieces of metadata, such as author and message information, can be provided via this argument.
To relay the message to the original command channel, use the ctx.send method. Since it’s a coroutine, you must use await.
How to Write a Discord Bot: Running the Bot
To test your bot in real time, click the “run” button at the top. These terminal commands will get your locally-created bot up and running:
Get on Discord and greet your fellow users with “$hi” right now. Expect to receive the “Hello!” response from your bot.
How to Write a Discord Bot: Improving the Bot
Now, try to tweak your already-functional, rudimentary bot that is capable of doing the job. It’s not called an “Encouragement Bot” for nothing. When a user sends a message that includes a sad or gloomy term, this bot will reply with a statement of encouragement.
The Repl.it database function is to store the user-submitted motivational messages that are usable by the bot. Whenever the user enters the command “$inspire” into the chat, the bot will respond with a random motivational quote obtained from an API. Implement first the “$inspire” function.
How to Write a Discord Bot: Knowing the Final Bot Features
Now is a good moment to put the bot through its paces and see how well it performs. It’s time that you will finish up with a few extras. Whether or not the bot reacts to sad phrases will soon be toggleable. Moreover, one can access a collection of user-submitted messages directly from within Discord. Afterward, you’ll go over the changes you made to the program and provide the whole, final code for it.
How to Make the Bot Work Nonstop
After your bot has finished operating in repl.it, you can end its execution by closing the tab containing it. However, there are two methods available to you to ensure that your bot continues to function even after you have closed your browser. The primary and simplest choice is to switch to a premium Repl.it subscription.
The most affordable paid option is the Kacker Plan, and it comes with five permanent replies. To be one of the first one thousand people to claim your free trial, go to their specific website. After subscribing to the service, the Repl menu will display the chosen plan’s name. Then, choose the “Always On” setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How to add and assign roles in Discord
Enlightening the burden of managing a Discord server is by granting trusted members the ability to moderate content on the server. In addition to facilitating moderation, server roles also enable the development of specialized sidebars.
With the help of these roles, you are able to quickly determine the server state of particular individuals. We’ve broken out the process of creating and managing Discord roles here.
Q: What JavaScript libraries are accessible for Discord bots?
Officially supported JavaScript libraries include Eris and discord.js. You may come across bot code in which there is no thorough testing in terms of the use of libraries or those in which maintenance are no longer active.
Q: What precisely is the purpose of a Discord bot library?
To allow for more high-level programming, a bot library hides the nitty-gritty of communicating with Discord’s WebSocket and REST APIs. More advanced capabilities, such as command frameworks, are becoming increasingly common in library collections.
Q: What must I do if my bot token is exposed?
Those who suggested “Regenerate it right away via the Discord Developer Portal” get a gold star. Token leaks are common, especially among inexperienced developers, and can have dire repercussions. Web crawlers monitor GitHub in search of compromised bot tokens. Sad to say, they are prone to criminal use.
Final Thoughts
One of Discord’s best features is the abundance of users who have similar interests and levels of expertise. Bots are one of the many new tools that Discord users are constantly creating to enhance the service. It’s not uncommon for developers to share their bots with the community, where users can then grab them and put them to use on their own servers.
If you look through databases, you can find bots that have various features programmed into them. Check on Discord to discover whether a similar bot already exists before you spend time building your own. Now, you are already familiar with the process of how to write a discord bot for use on this free chat platform and keep it active on an ongoing basis in the cloud.
