Adding a bot to Discord takes three steps: find the bot you want, authorize it through a permission page, and select which server it joins
A bot on Discord is an automated account that performs tasks without a human controlling it. Bots can moderate messages, play music, send welcome messages to new members, manage roles, or run games. To add one to your server, you visit the bot's authorization page, grant it the permissions it needs, and choose which server receives it. The bot then appears in your member list and can start working when ready.
The process is the same for nearly every bot, though different bots ask for different permissions. You do not need to code anything or install software on your computer — it all happens through Discord's website.
Key Takeaways
- Most bots live on websites like top.gg or Discord.bots.gg, where you can search by what you want the bot to do.
- When you click "Invite" or "Add to Server," Discord shows you exactly what permissions the bot is asking for before you grant them.
- You must have the "Manage Server" permission on your Discord server to add a bot to it.
- After the bot joins, you usually configure it by typing commands in a channel, and the bot's documentation tells you which commands work.
Finding a bot that does what you need
The largest bot directories are top.gg and Discord.bots.gg. Both let you search by category — moderation, music, fun, economy games, role assignment, and others. Each bot has a page showing what it does, how many servers use it, and user reviews.
Popular bots include Dyno (moderation and custom commands), MEE6 (moderation and welcome messages), Groovy or Hydra (music playback), and UnbelievaBoat (economy games where members earn fake currency). If you know what task you want done, search for it by name or category on either site.
Read the bot's description and reviews before inviting it. Some bots require a paid subscription for advanced features, and some are no longer maintained. The review section usually tells you if a bot has stopped working or if it has security problems.
Authorizing the bot and choosing your server
Click the "Invite" button on the bot's page. Discord opens a permission screen showing exactly what the bot is asking permission to do — things like "Send Messages," "Manage Roles," or "Read Message History." You do not have to grant every permission the bot asks for, but it may not work properly if you remove permissions it needs.
Below the permissions list is a dropdown menu labeled "Select a Server." Click it and choose which of your servers the bot should join. You can only add the bot to servers where you have the "Manage Server" permission — if you do not see a server in the list, you do not have that permission on it.
Click "Authorize" and complete the CAPTCHA if Discord asks. The bot is now in your server. It appears in your member list with a small bot badge next to its name.
Setting up the bot after it joins
Most bots work when ready, but many need configuration. Check the bot's documentation or help page to learn which commands it responds to. Documentation is usually linked on the bot's directory page or in a pinned message on the bot's support server.
Common setup steps include setting a prefix (the character that tells the bot a message is a command — usually ! or ?), choosing which channels the bot can use, and turning on or off specific features. You typically do this by typing commands in any channel where the bot can see messages. For example, with MEE6, you might type !autorole add @Member to give new members a role automatically.
If the bot does not respond to commands, check that it has permission to send messages in that channel. Right-click the channel name, select "Edit Channel," go to "Permissions," and make sure the bot's role has "Send Messages" turned on.
Removing a bot from your server
Right-click the bot's name in your member list and select "Remove from Server." The bot leaves when ready and stops responding to commands. If you want to add it back later, repeat the authorization process — you do not need to reconfigure it if you remember your settings.
You can also remove a bot by revoking its access through your Discord user settings. Go to Settings, select "Authorized Apps," find the bot, and click "Revoke." This removes it from all your servers at once.
Permissions bots commonly ask for and what they mean
When you authorize a bot, you see permission names like "Send Messages," "Manage Roles," "Read Message History," and "Embed Links." These mean exactly what they say — the bot can perform that action. A moderation bot needs "Manage Messages" to delete rule-breaking posts. A music bot needs "Connect" and "Speak" to join voice channels. A welcome bot needs "Send Messages" to post in your channels.
If a bot asks for a permission that seems unnecessary, you can deny it. The bot may not work as advertised, but you keep control over what it can do. Never authorize a bot you do not trust, especially one asking for "Administrator" permission — that gives it nearly complete control over your server.
Troubleshooting when a bot does not work
If a bot joins but does not respond to commands, check these things in order: First, confirm the bot is actually in your server by looking at the member list. Second, check that you are using the correct prefix — if the bot uses ! and you type ?, it will not respond. Third, make sure the bot has permission to send messages in the channel where you are testing it.
If the bot still does not work, check its documentation or support server. Some bots have been abandoned by their creators and no longer work. Others require you to set them up through a web dashboard before they respond to commands. The bot's help page or support server will tell you which.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay to use a bot?
Most bots are free to use on your server. Some offer paid premium features — for example, Groovy's music bot is free but charges a monthly fee to skip songs or use higher audio quality. You can use the free version without paying anything.
Can a bot steal my server or my data?
A bot can only do what its permissions allow. If you do not give it "Administrator" or "Manage Roles," it cannot take over your server. Only authorize bots from sources you trust. If a bot seems suspicious, do not invite it — there are thousands of alternatives for any task.
What happens if a bot stops working?
If the bot's creator stops maintaining it, it will eventually stop responding to commands. You can remove it and find a replacement. Check the bot's support server or documentation to see if it is still active before inviting it.
Can I make my own bot?
Yes, but it requires coding knowledge. Discord provides a developer portal where you can create a bot account and write code to control it. You would need to learn a programming language like Python or JavaScript and host the bot on a computer or server that runs 24/7. Most people use existing bots instead.
Why does a bot need "Read Message History"?
This permission lets the bot see old messages in a channel. A moderation bot might need it to check if a user has been warned before. A music bot might need it to read song requests from earlier in the day. If you deny this permission, the bot can only see new messages sent after it joins.