Hey everyone! I’m working on setting up a new Discord server and I want to build a custom bot for it. I had created one before using some framework (I think it was called shards or something similar) but that was ages ago. Now I can only see the old chat history with that bot but I can’t actually invite it anywhere or access the code anymore. Pretty frustrating situation! So I’ve decided to start fresh and create a brand new bot from the ground up. This time I want to learn how to do it properly without relying on external frameworks. What programming language should I start with? Are there any good tutorials or resources you’d recommend for beginners? Also, what are the essential features I should focus on first when building a basic Discord bot?
I went through something similar when I lost access to my first bot project. What helped me the most was actually going with Java and JDA since it forces you to understand the underlying concepts better than some of the higher-level libraries. The setup might seem intimidating at first, but once you get past the initial configuration, everything clicks into place. My recommendation would be to start with a simple welcome message system and then build a basic role assignment feature. These two components will teach you event handling and user interaction fundamentals. The Discord Developer Portal documentation is your best friend here, and I found that reading through the official API docs alongside whatever language-specific wrapper you choose gives you a much deeper understanding of how everything works together.
Starting with Python and the discord.py library is a wise choice for your first bot. I faced similar challenges in the past when I attempted to use complex frameworks right away, only to lose everything when they became obsolete. By using discord.py, you’ll gain better control and insight into the bot’s workings. The documentation is extensive, and there is a supportive community to assist you. Initially, concentrate on implementing basic command handling along with a simple moderation command like kick or ban. Avoid getting overly ambitious at the start; I made that mistake and later realized my lack of proper error handling. Once you have a good handle on the fundamentals, you can gradually enhance your bot’s capabilities.
honestly javascript with discord.js might be easier to pick up if you’re just getting back into it. theres tons of youtube tutorials that walk you thru the whole setup process step by step. i’d suggest making a simple ping command first then maybe add some fun stuff like a random quote generator or something. dont worry about the old bot - we’ve all been there lol