How to Add Discord Bots

Bots bring new features to your Discord server

by
Scott Orgera
Scott Orgera
Writer
Scott Orgera is a former writer who covering tech since 2007. He has 25+ years experience as a programmer and QA leader, and holds several Microsoft certifications.
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Scott Orgera
Updated on October 11, 2020

The number of Discord bots available for download continues to grow thanks to a very active developer community. If you how to add bots to Discord, there's a wide array of functionality you can take advantage of, from bots that play music to bots that facilitate donations.

How to Add Bots to Discord

Before you can add bots, you must create a Discord server. If you plan to add a bot to a server that's not your own, you should first confirm that you’ve been granted permission to manage the server before moving forward. These permissions will automatically be in place for any server that you created yourself.

  1. Open a web browser and navigate to DiscordBots.org.

    Open a web browser and navigate to DiscordBots.org.

  2. Search for bots by keyword(s) or browse the many options available. Select View to learn more about a particular bot and add it to a server.

    Select View to learn more about a Discord bot and add it to a server.

    The Certified Featured Bots section contains listings that DiscordBots.org has carefully validated and guarantees their stability, stating they'll function as expected 24/7.

  3. Select Invite to add it to a server. Discord should launch automatically, and you may be prompted to enter your Discord username and password.

    Select Invite to add the bot to a Discord server.

  4. Select Select a server in the Connect to Discord interface.

    Select Select a server in the Connect to Discord interface.

  5. Choose the name of the server where you wish to add the bot in the drop-down menu.

    Choose the name of the server where you wish to add this bot in the drop-down menu.

  6. Scroll down to the Allow the following permissions section and make sure all the boxes have checkmarks.

    Scroll down to the Allow the following permissions section and make sure all the boxes have checkmarks.

    You can opt to deny a certain set of permissions by removing its checkmark, but that will likely cause the bot to malfunction in certain instances. 

  7. Select Authorize.

    Select Authorize.

  8. Select the box next to I’m not a robot.

    Select the box next to I’m not a robot.

  9. A message will appear confirming the bot has been authorized and added to your server. Close the browser tab or window to complete the process.

    screenshot of Discord bot authorization screen

Other Discord Bot Websites

DiscordBots.com org is not the only game in town when it comes to adding bots to your server. Other bot websites you can use include:

  • Bots on Discord: Useful tags and monthly staff picks make it easy to peruse some of the best options.
  • Carbonitex: This site’s interface is a bit different from its competitors, but it still provides access to a large number of feature-rich server additions.
  • Discord Bots: The easy-to-navigate repository is also worth browsing if you’re in the market for some new additions to your server.

As with any unregulated software, use caution when selecting a bot provider. Scan all downloads with antivirus software before opening them. High-trafficked sites with a significant amount of reviews and user feedback are typically more reputable than some of their lesser-known counterparts.

Adding Your Own Discord Bots to a Server

It's also possible to create your own Discord bots and add them to a server in lieu of those developed by a third-party. This gives you the freedom to customize them using JavaScript code and server-designated permissions. For example, you can set up an automated moderator bot that automatically bans problem users.