Set up your own Discord server and bot

Create the server

1. In Discord, click + at the bottom of the server list.
2. Create My Own → For me and my friends.
3. Type a name, then click Create.

Your new server is open, with a #general channel.

Turn on Developer Mode and copy two IDs

1. User Settings (gear, bottom left) → type Developer in the search box → Developer → Developer Mode on.
2. Right-click your server icon → Copy Server Info → Copy Server ID. Paste it in your notes.
3. Show the member list (people icon, top right) → right-click your name → Copy User ID. Paste it too.

Two long numbers (18–19 digits) in your notes.

Create the bot

1. Open the Developer Portal → New Application → name it → tick the terms box → Create. If Discord asks "Are you human?", tick the box.

   

2. Bot (left menu) → turn on Message Content Intent → Save Changes.

3. Installation → Install Link: None → Save Changes.

4. Bot → turn off Public Bot → Save Changes.

"Bot successfully updated!" with Public Bot off.

Step 3 matters: Discord refuses to make a bot private while it still has an install link.

Copy the token

1. On the Bot page, click Reset Token → Yes, do it!
2. Enter your Discord password (or a 2FA code) if asked.
3. Copy the token straight into your password manager. (Keeping it in a file? Run chmod 600 on it.)

"A new token was generated!" and the token is saved somewhere only you can open.

It's the bot's password. Never paste it into a chat, screenshot or shared file. Leaked? Reset it again.

Invite the bot

1. OAuth2 → OAuth2 URL Generator → Scopes: tick bot.
2. Bot Permissions: View Channels, Send Messages, Send Messages in Threads, Read Message History, Attach Files, Add Reactions. (Using the layout kit? Add Manage Roles and Manage Channels.)
3. Copy the Generated URL at the bottom, open it → pick your server → Continue → Authorize.

Your channel shows "… has added your bot to the server."

Make a Member role

1. Server name → Server Settings → Roles → Create Role.
2. Name it Member, pick a color → Save Changes.
3. Manage Members → Add Members → tick yourself → Add.

In the role list, your bot's role is above Member, and Member has 1 member. If not, drag the bot's role above it.

Add a private channel

1. Right-click an empty part of the channel list → Create Category → Members → Private Category on → Next.
2. Tick the Member role and your bot → Create Category.
3. Click + next to Members → name it assistant → Create Channel.

#assistant has a lock, and says "This is the start of the #assistant private channel."

Connect your AI assistant

Give the token to your assistant and set who may talk to it (your User ID from step 2).

• Members: follow Your own AI assistant on Discord. Its kit installs everything.
• Want steps 6 and 7 done for you? The server layout kit does them in one run.

The bot's dot turns green and it answers you in #assistant.