AI Agent for Discord: Build Bots That Moderate, Answer Questions & Engage Your Community

150 million people use Discord monthly. If you run a community, an AI agent can moderate 24/7, answer questions from your docs instantly, onboard new members, and keep engagement high — without burning out your mod team.

Why Discord Communities Need AI Agents

Running a Discord community of 1,000+ members is a full-time job. The same questions get asked daily. Spam and rule violations need constant monitoring. New members feel lost. Active members churn because nobody responds to their posts.

An AI agent solves the scaling problem:

• Instant answers: 70% of questions in community channels have been answered before. An AI agent finds the answer and responds in seconds, not hours.
• 24/7 moderation: Spam, toxicity, and rule violations don't wait for your timezone. An AI agent catches issues in real-time.
• Consistent onboarding: Every new member gets the same high-quality welcome, guided setup, and FAQ walkthrough.
• Engagement at scale: Daily prompts, topic discussions, and activity tracking that would take a community manager hours.

5 Discord Agent Types

Build: Q&A Knowledge Agent

const { Client, GatewayIntentBits, Events } = require("discord.js");
const Anthropic = require("@anthropic-ai/sdk");
const { createClient } = require("@supabase/supabase-js");

const client = new Client({
  intents: [
    GatewayIntentBits.Guilds,
    GatewayIntentBits.GuildMessages,
    GatewayIntentBits.MessageContent,
  ],
});

const anthropic = new Anthropic();
const supabase = createClient(SUPABASE_URL, SUPABASE_KEY);

// Respond to @mentions and messages in #help channels
client.on(Events.MessageCreate, async (message) => {
  if (message.author.bot) return;

  const isHelp = message.channel.name.includes("help") ||
                 message.channel.name.includes("support") ||
                 message.channel.name.includes("questions");
  const isMentioned = message.mentions.has(client.user);

  if (!isHelp && !isMentioned) return;

  const question = message.content.replace(/<@!?\d+>/g, "").trim();
  if (question.length < 5) return;

  // Show typing indicator
  await message.channel.sendTyping();

  try {
    // Search knowledge base
    const embedding = await getEmbedding(question);
    const { data: docs } = await supabase.rpc("match_documents", {
      query_embedding: embedding,
      match_threshold: 0.7,
      match_count: 5,
    });

    // Search past answered questions in Discord
    const pastAnswers = await searchPastAnswers(question);

    const context = [
      ...docs.map(d => `[Docs: ${d.title}]\n${d.content}`),
      ...pastAnswers.map(a => `[Past answer in #${a.channel}]\n${a.content}`),
    ].join("\n\n---\n\n");

    const response = await anthropic.messages.create({
      model: "claude-sonnet-4-20250514",
      max_tokens: 800,
      system: `You're a helpful community assistant for a Discord server.

Rules:
- Answer from the provided context ONLY
- If you're not sure, say "I'm not 100% sure — let me ping a mod"
- Keep answers concise (Discord messages should be scannable)
- Use Discord formatting: **bold**, \`code\`, > quotes
- Add relevant emoji sparingly
- If the question is off-topic, gently redirect to the right channel
- Never share private/admin information
- Credit community members who answered similar questions before`,
      messages: [{
        role: "user",
        content: `Context:\n${context}\n\nQuestion: ${question}`,
      }],
    });

    const answer = response.content[0].text;

    // Send reply (split if too long for Discord's 2000 char limit)
    if (answer.length > 1900) {
      const parts = splitMessage(answer, 1900);
      for (const part of parts) {
        await message.reply(part);
      }
    } else {
      await message.reply(answer);
    }

    // Log for analytics
    await supabase.from("qa_log").insert({
      question,
      answer,
      channel: message.channel.name,
      user_id: message.author.id,
      docs_used: docs.map(d => d.title),
      timestamp: new Date().toISOString(),
    });

  } catch (error) {
    console.error("Q&A error:", error);
    await message.reply(
      "Sorry, I hit an error! A mod will help you shortly. 🙏"
    );
  }
});

function splitMessage(text, maxLength) {
  const parts = [];
  let current = "";
  for (const line of text.split("\n")) {
    if ((current + "\n" + line).length > maxLength) {
      parts.push(current);
      current = line;
    } else {
      current += (current ? "\n" : "") + line;
    }
  }
  if (current) parts.push(current);
  return parts;
}

Build: Smart Moderation Agent

client.on(Events.MessageCreate, async (message) => {
  if (message.author.bot) return;

  // Quick checks first (no API call needed)
  if (containsScamLinks(message.content)) {
    await message.delete();
    await message.channel.send(
      `⚠️ Removed a message with a suspicious link. ` +
      `<@${message.author.id}>, please don't share unknown links.`
    );
    await logModAction(message, "scam_link", "auto");
    return;
  }

  // AI-powered moderation for nuanced content
  const response = await anthropic.messages.create({
    model: "claude-sonnet-4-20250514",
    max_tokens: 200,
    messages: [{
      role: "user",
      content: `Moderate this Discord message. Return JSON:
{
  "action": "allow|warn|delete|mute|escalate",
  "reason": "why this action",
  "severity": "none|low|medium|high",
  "category": "clean|spam|toxicity|nsfw|scam|off_topic|self_promo"
}

Channel: #${message.channel.name}
Server context: Tech/gaming community
Message: "${message.content}"

Rules:
- Gaming language and casual swearing is generally OK
- Slurs and targeted harassment are never OK
- Self-promotion is only OK in #showcase
- Context matters: "this kills" in #gaming is fine
- Be lenient on first offenses, stricter on repeats
- When in doubt, escalate to human mods`
    }],
  });

  const modResult = JSON.parse(response.content[0].text);

  switch (modResult.action) {
    case "delete":
      await message.delete();
      await message.author.send(
        `Your message in #${message.channel.name} was removed. ` +
        `Reason: ${modResult.reason}. ` +
        `If you think this was a mistake, contact a mod.`
      );
      break;

    case "warn":
      await message.reply(
        `⚠️ Hey <@${message.author.id}>, friendly reminder: ` +
        `${modResult.reason}. Thanks for keeping the community great! 🙏`
      );
      break;

    case "escalate":
      const modChannel = message.guild.channels.cache
        .find(c => c.name === "mod-alerts");
      if (modChannel) {
        await modChannel.send(
          `🔔 **Needs human review**\n` +
          `Channel: <#${message.channel.id}>\n` +
          `User: <@${message.author.id}>\n` +
          `Content: "${message.content.substring(0, 500)}"\n` +
          `AI assessment: ${modResult.reason}\n` +
          `[Jump to message](${message.url})`
        );
      }
      break;
  }

  if (modResult.action !== "allow") {
    await logModAction(message, modResult.category, modResult.action);
  }
});

function containsScamLinks(text) {
  const scamPatterns = [
    /discord\.gift\/(?!actual)/i,
    /discord\.com\.(?!com)/i,
    /free\s*nitro/i,
    /steamcommunity\.(?!com)/i,
  ];
  return scamPatterns.some(p => p.test(text));
}

Build: Member Onboarding Agent

client.on(Events.GuildMemberAdd, async (member) => {
  // Welcome in #welcome channel
  const welcomeChannel = member.guild.channels.cache
    .find(c => c.name === "welcome" || c.name === "introductions");

  if (welcomeChannel) {
    await welcomeChannel.send(
      `Welcome to the server, <@${member.id}>! 🎉\n\n` +
      `Here's how to get started:\n` +
      `1️⃣ Check out <#rules> and react to accept\n` +
      `2️⃣ Pick your roles in <#roles>\n` +
      `3️⃣ Introduce yourself here!\n` +
      `4️⃣ Got questions? Ask in <#help>\n\n` +
      `I'm the community AI assistant — mention me anytime!`
    );
  }

  // DM with personalized onboarding
  try {
    await member.send({
      content: `Hey ${member.displayName}! Welcome! 👋\n\n` +
        `I'm the community bot. Quick question to help you get the ` +
        `most out of the server:\n\n` +
        `What brings you here?\n` +
        `🅰️ Learning about the topic\n` +
        `🅱️ Building a project\n` +
        `🅲 Networking with others\n` +
        `🅳 Just exploring\n\n` +
        `Reply with A, B, C, or D and I'll point you to the best channels!`,
    });
  } catch (e) {
    // DMs might be disabled
    console.log(`Couldn't DM ${member.displayName}`);
  }

  // 3-day check-in
  setTimeout(async () => {
    try {
      // Check if they've sent any messages
      const active = await checkMemberActivity(member.id, member.guild.id);

      if (!active) {
        await member.send(
          `Hey ${member.displayName}! Just checking in — ` +
          `I noticed you haven't posted yet. No pressure!\n\n` +
          `If you're looking for a good starting point:\n` +
          `• Introduce yourself in <#introductions>\n` +
          `• Check out today's discussion in <#general>\n` +
          `• Got any questions? <#help> is super friendly\n\n` +
          `We're glad you're here! 😊`
        );
      }
    } catch (e) {}
  }, 3 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000); // 3 days
});

Build: Engagement & Activity Agent

const cron = require("node-cron");

// Daily discussion prompt at 10 AM
cron.schedule("0 10 * * *", async () => {
  const channel = client.channels.cache
    .find(c => c.name === "general" || c.name === "daily-discussion");
  if (!channel) return;

  const response = await anthropic.messages.create({
    model: "claude-sonnet-4-20250514",
    max_tokens: 200,
    messages: [{
      role: "user",
      content: `Generate a fun, engaging discussion prompt for a tech
community Discord server. Today is ${new Date().toLocaleDateString("en-US", {
  weekday: "long" })}.

Make it:
- Conversational and fun (not corporate)
- Easy to answer (low barrier to participate)
- Related to tech/AI/building things
- Include 2-3 emoji
- Occasionally spicy/controversial takes are OK

Return ONLY the prompt text, nothing else.`
    }],
  });

  await channel.send(`💬 **Daily Discussion**\n\n${response.content[0].text}`);
});

// Weekly leaderboard every Sunday
cron.schedule("0 18 * * 0", async () => {
  const channel = client.channels.cache
    .find(c => c.name === "general");
  if (!channel) return;

  // Get top contributors this week
  const topMembers = await getWeeklyTopContributors(channel.guild.id);

  const leaderboard = topMembers.slice(0, 5).map((m, i) => {
    const medals = ["🥇", "🥈", "🥉", "4️⃣", "5️⃣"];
    return `${medals[i]} <@${m.userId}> — ${m.messages} messages, ` +
           `${m.helpfulReactions} helpful reactions`;
  }).join("\n");

  await channel.send(
    `📊 **Weekly Leaderboard**\n\n` +
    `Top contributors this week:\n${leaderboard}\n\n` +
    `Thanks for making this community awesome! 🙌`
  );
});

Slash Commands Architecture

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

// Register slash commands
const commands = [
  new SlashCommandBuilder()
    .setName("ask")
    .setDescription("Ask the AI assistant a question")
    .addStringOption(opt =>
      opt.setName("question").setDescription("Your question").setRequired(true)
    ),

  new SlashCommandBuilder()
    .setName("summarize")
    .setDescription("Summarize recent discussion in this channel")
    .addIntegerOption(opt =>
      opt.setName("messages").setDescription("Number of messages to summarize").setRequired(false)
    ),

  new SlashCommandBuilder()
    .setName("ticket")
    .setDescription("Create a support ticket")
    .addStringOption(opt =>
      opt.setName("issue").setDescription("Describe your issue").setRequired(true)
    ),
];

client.on(Events.InteractionCreate, async (interaction) => {
  if (!interaction.isChatInputCommand()) return;

  if (interaction.commandName === "ask") {
    await interaction.deferReply();
    const question = interaction.options.getString("question");
    const answer = await answerFromKnowledgeBase(question);
    await interaction.editReply(answer);
  }

  if (interaction.commandName === "summarize") {
    await interaction.deferReply();
    const count = interaction.options.getInteger("messages") || 50;
    const messages = await interaction.channel.messages.fetch({ limit: count });

    const conversation = messages.reverse().map(m =>
      `${m.author.displayName}: ${m.content}`
    ).join("\n");

    const response = await anthropic.messages.create({
      model: "claude-sonnet-4-20250514",
      max_tokens: 500,
      messages: [{
        role: "user",
        content: `Summarize this Discord conversation in 5-7 bullet points.
Highlight: key decisions, questions asked, links shared, action items.

${conversation}`
      }],
    });

    await interaction.editReply(
      `📝 **Channel Summary** (last ${count} messages)\n\n` +
      response.content[0].text
    );
  }

  if (interaction.commandName === "ticket") {
    const issue = interaction.options.getString("issue");
    // Create a private thread for the support ticket
    const thread = await interaction.channel.threads.create({
      name: `🎫 ${interaction.user.displayName}: ${issue.substring(0, 50)}`,
      type: 12, // PrivateThread
      reason: "Support ticket",
    });

    await thread.members.add(interaction.user.id);
    await thread.send(
      `**Support Ticket**\n\n` +
      `**From:** <@${interaction.user.id}>\n` +
      `**Issue:** ${issue}\n\n` +
      `I'll try to help first. If I can't solve it, a team member will jump in.`
    );

    // Try to auto-solve
    const solution = await answerFromKnowledgeBase(issue);
    await thread.send(solution);

    await interaction.reply({
      content: `🎫 Ticket created! Check ${thread}`,
      ephemeral: true,
    });
  }
});

Tool Comparison: 6 Discord AI Tools

Tool	Best For	Price	Custom AI
Discord AutoMod	Basic keyword filtering	Free (built-in)	❌ None
MEE6	Moderation, leveling, commands	Free / $12/mo	⚠️ Basic AI
Carl-bot	Advanced automod, reaction roles	Free / $5/mo	❌ None
Clyde (Discord AI)	Native Discord AI chat	Free (limited)	❌ No custom
Poe Bot	Multi-model AI in Discord	Free / $20/mo	⚠️ Some
Custom Agent (this guide)	Full control, your knowledge base	~$5-15/mo (API)	✅ Full

Build Your Discord Agent in 30 Minutes

7 Mistakes That Kill Community Vibes

What's Next

Start with the Q&A bot in your #help channel. Get it answering your top 20 questions accurately. Then add moderation (start lenient). Then onboarding for new members. Finally, add engagement features once the community trusts the bot.

The best Discord communities don't just have great members — they have great systems that make it easy to participate, get help, and feel welcome. An AI agent is the backbone of that system.