The basic steps to add a bot
Adding a bot to a Discord server takes three steps: find the bot's invite link, click it, select your server, and confirm permissions. Most bots live on websites like top.gg or Discord.bots.gg, where you search by name, click "Invite," and follow the authorization flow. Discord will show you exactly what permissions the bot is asking for — read messages, send messages, manage roles, and so on — before you confirm.
The whole process takes under a minute once you have the invite link. After you confirm, the bot joins your server and appears in your member list. Some bots start working immediately; others need you to set them up with commands or a configuration channel first.
Key Takeaways
- Most bots are found on top.gg or Discord.bots.gg, where you click "Invite" and select which server to add them to.
- Discord shows you every permission the bot needs before you confirm, so you can see exactly what it will be able to do.
- You need "Manage Server" permission on the server to add a bot; regular members cannot do this.
- After the bot joins, check its documentation or type a help command to learn how to set it up and use its features.
Where to find bots and what to look for
The two largest bot directories are top.gg and Discord.bots.gg. Both let you search by name or browse by category — music, moderation, games, utility. Each bot listing shows its description, how many servers use it, user reviews, and a link to the bot's support server if it has one.
Before you invite a bot, read the description to understand what it does and check the permissions it requests. A music bot needs permission to connect to voice channels and play audio. A moderation bot needs permission to kick or ban members. If a bot asks for permissions that seem unrelated to what it claims to do, that is a warning sign — check the reviews or ask in its support server before inviting it.
Popular bots with thousands of reviews tend to be more stable and better maintained, but smaller bots can be excellent too. Look at the most recent reviews to see if users are reporting current problems.
Understanding permissions before you invite
When you click "Invite" on a bot's page, Discord takes you to an authorization screen that lists every permission the bot is asking for. Common ones include "Send Messages," "Read Message History," "Manage Roles," and "Kick Members." You can see exactly what the bot will be allowed to do before you confirm.
Do not uncheck permissions unless you understand what will break. If you remove "Send Messages," the bot cannot respond to commands. If you remove "Read Message History," it cannot see old messages. Some bots need permissions they do not strictly require for their core features — this is normal and usually harmless, but you can always deny a permission and test whether the bot still works.
After you confirm, the bot joins your server with those permissions. You can change them later by going to Server Settings → Roles, finding the bot's role, and adjusting what it can do.
Setting up the bot after it joins
Once the bot is in your server, check its documentation — usually linked on its bot.gg page or in its support server — to learn how to configure it. Many bots use slash commands, which you trigger by typing a forward slash and the command name. Others use prefix commands, where you type a character like ! or . before the command.
Type the bot's help command to see what it can do. For example, typing /help or !help usually shows a list of available commands. Some bots need you to set up a configuration channel, assign roles, or adjust settings before they work properly — the help menu or documentation will tell you what is required.
If the bot is not responding to commands, check that it has permission to see the channel you are typing in and permission to send messages there. Bots cannot see channels they do not have access to, and they cannot respond if they cannot send messages.
Troubleshooting when a bot does not work
If a bot joins but does not respond to commands, the most common causes are permission issues, wrong prefix, or missing setup. First, verify the bot can see your channel — go to Server Settings → Channels, click the channel, and check that the bot's role has "View Channel" and "Send Messages" enabled.
Second, confirm you are using the right command syntax. Check the bot's help menu or documentation to see whether it uses slash commands or prefix commands, and what the correct prefix is. A bot that uses ! as a prefix will not respond to . or /.
Third, some bots require initial setup — a configuration command, a settings channel, or role assignments — before they start working. Check the documentation or ask in the bot's support server. If the bot is still not working after checking these things, the bot's support server is usually the fastest way to get help.
Removing a bot from your server
To remove a bot, go to Server Settings → Members, find the bot in the member list, click it, and select "Remove from Server." This immediately kicks the bot and removes its role. You can invite it again later if you change your mind.
If you want to keep the bot but disable it temporarily, you can remove its permissions instead. Go to Server Settings → Roles, click the bot's role, and toggle off the permissions you want to revoke. The bot stays in your server but cannot perform actions it no longer has permission for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need special permissions to add a bot to a server?
Yes. You need the "Manage Server" permission on the server to add a bot. This is usually only available to the server owner and moderators with that specific permission. Regular members cannot add bots.
Can I add the same bot to multiple servers?
Yes. A single bot can be in hundreds or thousands of servers at once. Each server has its own settings and configuration for the bot, so you can customize it differently on each server.
What if a bot asks for permissions I do not want to give it?
You can uncheck permissions before confirming the invite. The bot will join with only the permissions you allow. However, some features may not work without certain permissions — the bot's documentation will tell you which permissions are required for which features.
Is it safe to add bots from top.gg and Discord.bots.gg?
Bots on these directories are generally safe because they are reviewed and reported by the community. That said, always read recent reviews and check what permissions a bot is asking for. If something seems off, ask in the bot's support server before inviting it.
How do I find a bot that does a specific thing?
Use the search bar on top.gg or Discord.bots.gg and type what you are looking for — "music," "moderation," "games," and so on. You can also browse by category. Read descriptions and reviews to find a bot that matches what you need.