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:

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

Go to Discord Developer Portal
Create New Application
Navigate to Bot section → Add Bot
Copy bot token (DISCORD_TOKEN)
Get application ID from General Information (CLIENT_ID)
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.

discord-js