The basic process: invite a bot through its authorization link
To add a bot to Discord, you visit the bot's authorization page, select which permissions you want to grant it, choose your server from a dropdown menu, and click authorize. The bot then appears in your server's member list. Most bots are added this way — through a link the bot creator provides, not by typing commands or searching within Discord itself.
The authorization page asks you to log into Discord and confirm you own or manage the server you're adding the bot to. Discord checks this before letting the bot join. Once authorized, the bot is live in your server immediately, though some bots require additional setup steps (like configuring a welcome message or setting permissions for specific channels).
Key Takeaways
- Most bots are added through an authorization link the bot creator provides, not through Discord's built-in search or commands.
- You need to own or have the "Manage Server" permission in the Discord server where you want to add the bot.
- The authorization page shows you exactly what permissions the bot is requesting — review these before clicking authorize.
- After authorization, the bot joins your server immediately, but some bots need you to configure settings in a control panel or through commands before they work.
Finding the bot's authorization link
The bot creator publishes an authorization link on their website, in their documentation, or on a bot listing site like Top.gg or Discord.bots.gg. If you found the bot through a recommendation or a friend, ask them for the link directly — it's usually a URL that starts with discord.com/oauth2/authorize.
Bot listing sites let you search by category (moderation, music, games, fun) and show you the bot's description, commands, and user count. These sites also host the authorization link. If you're looking for a specific type of bot — say, one that plays music or logs messages — searching a listing site is faster than asking around.
Never use a shortened or obfuscated link (like a bit.ly or tinyurl) unless you trust the source completely. A shortened link hides what permissions the bot is actually requesting, which is a security risk. Always click through to the full authorization page so you can see exactly what access you're granting.
Understanding the permissions screen
When you click the authorization link, Discord shows you a list of permissions the bot is requesting. These might include "Send Messages", "Manage Roles", "Read Message History", or "Connect to Voice Channels". Read through this list before clicking authorize. A music bot needs "Connect to Voice Channels" and "Speak", but it should not need "Ban Members" or "Manage Roles".
If a bot is requesting permissions that seem unrelated to what it does, that's a red flag. For example, a fun emoji bot should not ask for "Administrator" or "Manage Channels". You can deny the authorization and look for a different bot instead. The permissions screen is your chance to make sure the bot isn't asking for more access than it needs.
Some bots request broad permissions like "Administrator" because they're designed to handle many tasks at once. If you trust the bot creator and the bot is popular (thousands of servers use it), this is usually safe. But for lesser-known bots, granting fewer permissions is the safer choice — you can always add more permissions later if the bot needs them.
Selecting your server and completing authorization
After reviewing the permissions, you'll see a dropdown menu labeled "Select a Server" or similar. Click it and choose the server where you want the bot to join. Only servers you own or manage (servers where you have the "Manage Server" permission) appear in this dropdown. If you don't see your server listed, you don't have the required permission in that server.
Once you've selected the server, click the "Authorize" button. Discord may ask you to complete a CAPTCHA to confirm you're human. After that, the authorization is complete. The page usually shows a confirmation message, and the bot appears in your server's member list within seconds.
What to do after the bot joins
Some bots work immediately after joining — you can start using their commands right away. Others require setup. Check the bot's documentation or help page (usually linked on the authorization page or the bot listing site) to see if you need to configure anything.
Common setup tasks include setting a prefix (the character that comes before commands, like ! or -), designating channels where the bot can post, or assigning roles that the bot can manage. Many bots have a !setup or !config command that walks you through these steps. If you're unsure, type the bot's prefix followed by help (for example, !help) in any channel the bot can see, and it will list its commands.
If the bot isn't responding to commands, check that it has permission to see and post in the channel where you're typing. Right-click the channel name, select "Edit Channel", go to "Permissions", and make sure the bot's role has "Send Messages" and "Read Messages/View Channel" enabled. If the bot still doesn't work, restart it by removing it from your server and re-authorizing it.
Removing a bot from your server
To remove a bot, right-click its name in your member list and select "Remove from Server", or go to Server Settings > Members, find the bot, and click the X next to its name. The bot leaves immediately and loses access to your server. If you want to add it back later, you can use the same authorization link.
Removing a bot does not delete any data it stored (like logs or settings). Some bots keep records even after they leave. If you want the bot to delete its data, check its documentation for a data removal command or contact the bot creator directly.
Common problems and how to fix them
The bot won't respond to commands: Check that the bot has permission to see the channel and send messages. Make sure you're using the correct prefix (check the bot's help command or documentation). If the bot is new, give it a few seconds to fully load.
The bot appears offline or has a gray icon: This usually means the bot's server is down or the bot crashed. Wait a few minutes and check again. If it stays offline, the bot creator may be working on it. Check the bot's support server or status page for updates.
You see "Missing Permissions" errors: The bot doesn't have permission to do what you asked. For example, if you ask it to mute someone but it doesn't have the "Mute Members" permission, it will fail. Add the missing permission through Server Settings > Roles, or ask a server admin to do it.
The authorization link doesn't work: The link may be outdated or the bot may have been removed from Discord. Try searching for the bot on a listing site like Top.gg to find a current link. If the bot no longer exists, look for an alternative that does the same thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be the server owner to add a bot?
No. You need the "Manage Server" permission, which the owner can grant to other members. If you don't have this permission, ask the server owner or an admin to add the bot for you.
Can a bot steal my password or personal information?
No. Discord bots cannot see your password. They can only access the permissions you grant during authorization — things like reading messages in certain channels or managing roles. Always review the permissions screen before authorizing, and only add bots from creators you trust.
What's the difference between a prefix and a slash command?
A prefix command starts with a character like ! or - (for example, !play song name). A slash command appears in Discord's command menu when you type / (for example, /play song name). Newer bots usually use slash commands because they're easier to discover and use.
Can I add the same bot to multiple servers?
Yes. Use the same authorization link for each server. The bot will join all of them and can be configured separately in each one. Settings you change in one server don't affect the bot in other servers.
What happens if I remove a bot and add it back?
The bot rejoins your server, but it usually remembers its previous settings and data. Some bots store information on their own servers, so configuration persists even after removal. Check the bot's documentation if you want to know whether it saves data between removals.