discord-js

Discord.js Bot Builder

Overview

Build full-featured Discord bots using discord.js v14+. This skill provides a complete bot template, comprehensive API patterns, and extensive command examples for creating bots from scratch.

Quick Start

Create a New Bot Project

Use the bot template from assets/bot-template/ to start a new bot:

1. Copy the entire bot-template/ directory to your project location
2. Install dependencies: npm install
3. Create .env file from .env.example
4. Add your bot token, client ID, and guild ID to .env
5. Deploy commands: npm run deploy
6. Start the bot: npm start

The template includes:

• Command handler system (auto-loads from commands/ directory)
• Event handler system (auto-loads from events/ directory)
• Example ping command
• Ready and interaction events
• Command deployment script
• Proper project structure

Bot Template Structure

bot-template/
├── commands/           # Slash command files
│   └── ping.js        # Example command
├── events/            # Event handlers
│   ├── ready.js       # Bot ready event
│   └── interactionCreate.js  # Command handler
├── index.js           # Main bot file
├── deploy-commands.js # Command deployment
├── package.json       # Dependencies
├── .env.example       # Environment template
└── README.md          # Setup instructions

Adding Commands

Create new command files in commands/ directory:

const { SlashCommandBuilder } = require('discord.js');

module.exports = {
    data: new SlashCommandBuilder()
        .setName('commandname')
        .setDescription('Command description')
        .addStringOption(option =>
            option.setName('input')
                .setDescription('Input description')
                .setRequired(true)
        ),
    async execute(interaction) {
        const input = interaction.options.getString('input');
        await interaction.reply(`You said: ${input}`);
    },
};

After creating a command, run npm run deploy to register it with Discord.

Adding Events

Create new event files in events/ directory:

module.exports = {
    name: 'messageCreate',
    once: false,
    execute(message) {
        if (message.author.bot) return;
        console.log(`${message.author.tag}: ${message.content}`);
    },
};

The bot automatically loads all events on startup.

Common Patterns

Slash Command with Options

.addStringOption(option => ...)      // Text input
.addIntegerOption(option => ...)     // Whole numbers
.addUserOption(option => ...)        // User mention
.addChannelOption(option => ...)     // Channel mention
.addRoleOption(option => ...)        // Role mention
.addBooleanOption(option => ...)     // True/false

Reply Types

// Normal reply
await interaction.reply('Message');

// Ephemeral (only user sees)
await interaction.reply({ content: 'Secret!', ephemeral: true });

// Deferred reply (for long operations)
await interaction.deferReply();
// ... do work ...
await interaction.editReply('Done!');

Embeds

const { EmbedBuilder } = require('discord.js');

const embed = new EmbedBuilder()
    .setColor(0x0099FF)
    .setTitle('Title')
    .setDescription('Description')
    .addFields(
        { name: 'Field 1', value: 'Value 1' },
        { name: 'Field 2', value: 'Value 2', inline: true }
    )
    .setTimestamp();

await interaction.reply({ embeds: [embed] });

Buttons

const { ActionRowBuilder, ButtonBuilder, ButtonStyle } = require('discord.js');

const row = new ActionRowBuilder()
    .addComponents(
        new ButtonBuilder()
            .setCustomId('button_id')
            .setLabel('Click Me')
            .setStyle(ButtonStyle.Primary)
    );

await interaction.reply({ content: 'Choose:', components: [row] });

Handle button clicks:

// In interactionCreate event
if (interaction.isButton()) {
    if (interaction.customId === 'button_id') {
        await interaction.reply('Button clicked!');
    }
}

Permission Checks

if (!interaction.member.permissions.has('ManageMessages')) {
    return interaction.reply({ content: 'No permission!', ephemeral: true });
}

References

discord-guide.md

Comprehensive API reference covering:

• Bot setup and authentication
• Client configuration and intents
• All common events
• Slash commands in detail
• Messages, embeds, buttons, modals
• Roles, permissions, channels
• Voice connections
• Advanced patterns (cooldowns, pagination, collectors)

Read when implementing specific features, working with Discord API components, or troubleshooting.

command-examples.md

Extensive collection of ready-to-use command examples:

• Basic: hello, echo, userinfo
• Moderation: kick, ban, clear messages, timeout
• Utility: poll, reminder, avatar
• Fun: 8ball, dice roll
• Information: serverinfo, help
• Advanced: confirmation dialogs, multi-step commands with modals

Copy and adapt examples for quick command implementation.

Getting Bot Credentials

1. Go to Discord Developer Portal
2. Create New Application
3. Navigate to Bot section → Add Bot
4. Copy bot token (DISCORD_TOKEN)
5. Get application ID from General Information (CLIENT_ID)
6. Enable required Privileged Gateway Intents if needed:
   • MESSAGE CONTENT INTENT (for reading message content)
   • SERVER MEMBERS INTENT (for member events)
   • PRESENCE INTENT (for user presence)

Inviting Bot to Server

Generate invite URL:

https://discord.com/api/oauth2/authorize?client_id=YOUR_CLIENT_ID&permissions=8&scope=bot%20applications.commands

Replace YOUR_CLIENT_ID and adjust permissions value as needed.