# How to Set Up OpenClaw Integration on Discord Learn how to connect OpenClaw to Discord, set up your AI agent, manage bot permissions, and start running useful workflows inside your server. --- ## OpenClaw on Discord Connect OpenClaw on Discord and run your AI agent inside your server. Set up the bot, manage permissions, connect OpenClaw, and start handling tasks, updates, reminders, support, and workflows from Discord. **CTA:** Deploy OpenClaw Now — https://www.ampere.sh/setup --- ## What Is OpenClaw? OpenClaw is an AI agent you can run on your local machine, VPS, or managed hosting setup. It works through integrations called channels, and Discord is one of them. (If you want a quick overview, see What is OpenClaw.) With OpenClaw integration on Discord, you can use your agent inside your server to manage tasks, reminders, follow-ups, support questions, bug reports, and team workflows. OpenClaw goes beyond basic chatbot replies by following instructions, using connected tools, remembering context, and supporting repeatable workflows. While OpenClaw itself is free, hosting and AI API usage may cost money depending on your setup. Because it connects to your workspace, you should also manage permissions, privacy, and security carefully. --- ## Why Use OpenClaw With Discord? OpenClaw can work in Discord in two main ways: as a shared AI assistant or as a Discord-specific bot. - **Control OpenClaw from Discord** — Use Discord to prompt OpenClaw for tasks, reminders, summaries, follow-ups, and workflows. - **Use it as a team assistant** — Let multiple team members interact with the same OpenClaw agent from your server. - **Manage work beyond Discord** — Control non-Discord tasks from chat, such as planning, updates, support notes, or connected workflows. - **Support voice conversations** — If supported by your setup, OpenClaw can join voice chat for continuous audio conversations. - **Run Discord-specific actions** — With the right permissions, OpenClaw can help create channels, assign roles, and manage server activity. - **Assist with moderation** — OpenClaw can help with timeouts, bans, and moderation workflows, but admin access should be given carefully, because chaos does not need automation. --- ## How OpenClaw Works Inside Discord OpenClaw works inside Discord through a bot connection. The bot acts as the bridge between your Discord server and your OpenClaw agent. - **Discord Bot** — connects your server with OpenClaw and lets users interact with the agent from chat - **Server Access** — controls where OpenClaw can work (channels/threads/private spaces) - **Bot Permissions** — what the bot can read, reply to, manage, or moderate - **Agent Instructions** — how OpenClaw should respond and what workflows to follow - **Channel Messages** — summarize threads, track tasks, draft replies, manage reminders - **Discord Actions** — roles, channels, moderation, announcements (when enabled) - **Workflow Control** — manage Discord tasks and non-Discord workflows from one interface --- ## What You Need To Run OpenClaw on Discord Before connecting OpenClaw to Discord, keep these basics ready: - **Discord application and bot token** — Create a Discord app and bot in the Discord Developer Portal, then copy the bot token. - **Discord server admin access** — You need permission to add and configure the bot in your server. - **OpenClaw hosting** — Run OpenClaw on your local machine, VPS, or a managed hosting platform like Ampere.sh. - **Docker or setup environment** — Needed if you self-host OpenClaw. Managed hosting removes most of this setup work. - **LLM API key** — Connect an AI model provider like OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, or a local model. - **Bot permissions** — Allow the bot to view channels, send messages, read message history, and access threads if needed. - **Clear workflow goal** — Start with one use case, such as support, bug tracking, task reminders, summaries, or moderation. --- ## How To Set Up OpenClaw Integration on Discord If you do not use managed hosting, you need to run OpenClaw on your own machine or VPS before connecting it to Discord. This setup gives you more control, but it also means you are responsible for hosting, Docker, configuration, uptime, and security. ### Step 1: Install OpenClaw on Your Server Start by installing OpenClaw on VPS, home server, or Local machine. For most users, a VPS is better because it stays online and can run your Discord agent continuously. You may need: - A VPS or local server - Docker and Docker Compose - OpenClaw files or installer - Environment variables - AI model API key - Basic terminal access Once OpenClaw is installed, make sure the agent or gateway is running before moving to Discord setup. ### Step 2: Create Your OpenClaw Agent After OpenClaw is running, create your agent and add clear instructions. Example: > You are our Discord workflow assistant. Help summarize threads, track bugs, manage support questions, create reminders, and organize team updates. Keep the first workflow simple. Start with support, bugs, summaries, or reminders instead of trying to automate the whole server on day one, because that is how dashboards become crime scenes. ### Step 3: Create a Discord Application Go to the Discord Developer Portal and create a new application. - Click New Application - Name it something like OpenClaw Discord Bot - Click Create This application will hold your Discord bot settings. ### Step 4: Create a Discord Bot Inside your Discord application: - Open the Bot section - Click Add Bot - Confirm the bot creation - Add a bot name and icon if needed This bot will act as the bridge between Discord and your self-hosted OpenClaw agent. ### Step 5: Reset and Copy Your Bot Token In the Bot section, Reset token and copy your Discord bot token. Add it to your OpenClaw environment or Discord channel configuration. ``` DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN=your_discord_bot_token_here ``` Keep this token private. If it leaks, reset it immediately. ### Step 6: Enable Required Bot Intents In the Discord bot settings, enable the intents your workflow needs. For most setups: - Message Content Intent for reading normal messages - Server Members Intent only if using roles or member actions - Presence Intent usually optional Message Content Intent is usually the important one for Discord chat workflows. ### Step 7: Set Bot Permissions Give the bot only the permissions it needs. Basic permissions: - View channels - Send messages - Read message history - Use slash commands - Access threads, if needed Advanced permissions, only if required: - Manage messages - Manage roles - Manage channels - Moderate members Avoid administrator access unless your Discord workflow truly needs it. ### Step 8: Invite the Bot to Your Server In Discord Developer Portal: - Go to OAuth2 - Open URL Generator - Select bot - Choose the required general permissions and select Administrator - Copy the generated invite URL - Open the URL in your browser - Select your Discord server - Click Authorize After this, the bot should appear in your Discord server. ### Step 9: Connect Discord to OpenClaw Now connect your Discord bot token to your OpenClaw setup. Depending on your OpenClaw configuration, this may be done through an environment file, channel config, or setup command. Example: ``` DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN=your_discord_bot_token_here OPENCLAW_CHANNEL=discord ``` Then restart your OpenClaw service or gateway so the new Discord configuration loads. ### Step 10: Test in One Discord Channel Create a private test channel like: `#openclaw-test` Test with simple prompts: - Summarize this channel and list action items. - Track this bug: users cannot reset their password after clicking the email link. - Draft a reply to this support question. Check that OpenClaw can read messages, reply in the right channel, and follow your instructions. --- ## Common Problems During Discord Setup If OpenClaw is not working on Discord, check these common issues first. If OpenClaw is not working on Discord, most issues come from the bot token, permissions, channel access, or agent setup. ### 1. Bot Is Not Replying **Possible cause:** Wrong token, inactive agent, missing send permission, or wrong server. **Fix:** - Recheck the Discord bot token - Confirm the bot is added to the right server - Enable View Channel and Send Messages - Make sure Discord is connected in your OpenClaw channel settings or hosting dashboard. - Test in one private channel first ### 2. Bot Cannot Read Messages **Possible cause:** Missing read permissions or disabled message intent. **Fix:** - Enable View Channel - Enable Read Message History - Turn on Message Content Intent in Discord Developer Portal - Check channel-level permissions ### 3. Bot Cannot Access Threads **Possible cause:** Thread permissions are missing. **Fix:** - Allow the bot to view threads - Allow the bot to send messages in threads - Enable read history inside threads - Test with a new thread first ### 4. Bot Replies in the Wrong Channel **Possible cause:** Bot has access to too many channels or wrong channel settings. **Fix:** - Limit OpenClaw to selected channels - Review your Discord channel settings in OpenClaw or your hosting dashboard. - Remove bot access from channels where it should not reply - Use a test channel like #openclaw-test ### 5. OpenClaw Is Not Responding **Possible cause:** Agent is inactive, Discord channel is not connected, or API/model setup is missing. **Fix:** - Check whether your OpenClaw agent or hosting service is active. - Confirm Discord is connected as a channel - Recheck model or API key settings - Save the channel settings again - Send a simple test message ### 6. Replies Feel Too Generic **Possible cause:** Agent instructions are too vague. Classic “help me with everything” nonsense. **Fix:** - Define one clear workflow - Add the agent’s role - Give examples - Tell it when to ask for clarification --- ## Easier Way To Run OpenClaw With Discord You can self-host OpenClaw, but manual setup may involve hosting, Docker, gateway configuration, SSL, server updates, uptime, and maintenance. If you do not want to manage that technical setup manually, you can use a managed OpenClaw hosting option like Ampere.sh. **Simple setup flow:** 1. Go to Ampere.sh and create an account. 2. Deploy your OpenClaw agent. 3. Add your agent name and workflow instructions. 4. Connect Discord as a channel. 5. Add your Discord bot token details. 6. Test your agent in one Discord channel. 7. Start with one workflow, such as support, bugs, or reminders. 8. Expand once the setup works. **Deploy OpenClaw Now:** https://www.ampere.sh/setup --- ## Security Tips for OpenClaw on Discord - Start with one private test channel before using it in active channels. - Do not give access to every channel at the beginning. - Keep your Discord bot token private. - Avoid admin permissions unless your workflow truly needs them. - Limit sensitive channel access. - Review what the bot can read and do before using it for important tasks. - Check permissions regularly and remove unused access. - Review important AI replies before sending them to users or customers. --- ## FAQs 1. **What is the easiest way to run OpenClaw on Discord?** The easiest way is to use managed hosting like Ampere.sh, connect Discord as a channel, and avoid manual server setup. 2. **Do I need coding to set up OpenClaw on Discord?** If you self-host OpenClaw, you may need Docker, server access, environment variables, and gateway configuration. With Ampere.sh, most server work is handled. 3. **Can I run OpenClaw on Discord with Ampere.sh?** Yes. Ampere.sh helps you deploy OpenClaw with managed hosting and connect Discord as a channel. 4. **Is OpenClaw free to use on Discord?** OpenClaw itself may be free, but hosting and AI model API usage can cost money depending on how you run it. But if you use managed hosting such as ampere.sh, it gives you a free openclaw use. 5. **Is OpenClaw safe to use on Discord?** Yes, if you manage permissions properly. Start small, avoid admin access unless needed, and keep tokens private. 6. **Can multiple people use the same OpenClaw agent in Discord?** Yes. Multiple team members can interact with the same agent from allowed channels. 7. **What are Discord slash commands?** Slash commands are bot actions that start with /, like /help, /summarize, or /remind. 8. **Can I use one Discord bot on multiple servers?** Yes. Add the same bot to multiple servers, and configure OpenClaw channel settings + permissions per server.