Set up Discord Roles and Permissions

Jul 14, 2024

Setting Up Discord Roles and Permissions

Introduction

  • Tutorial guide on roles and permissions setup in Discord server
  • Use video chapters to skip to needed parts

Permissions Overview

  • Two Types of Permissions:
    1. Role Permissions
    2. Channel Permissions

Server Role Permissions

  • Simple, only two modes: on/off
  • Server-wide
  • Recommendations: disable all for most roles; enable for moderators and admins only

Channel Permissions

  • Overrides server permissions
  • Three Modes:
    • Cross: disable
    • Tick: enable
    • Slash: follow existing rules
  • Everyone Role: default permissions for the channel
  • Permissions conflict: enabled permission takes priority

Categories

  • Work same as channel permissions
  • Syncing channels to categories for uniform permissions

Setting Up Roles

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Open Server Settings
  2. Switch to the Roles page
  3. Understand role hierarchy (top roles have more power)
  4. Recommended Top Roles:
    • Administrator
    • Moderator
    • Bot

Member Role

  1. Create Role:
    • Name: Member
    • Set readable color (suggest blue)
    • Display role members separately: enabled
    • Allow anyone to mention role: disabled
  2. Permissions Tab:
    • Clear permissions
    • Ensure member role is just above everyone role

Moderator Role

  1. Create Role:
    • Name: Moderator
    • Choose vibrant color
    • Display role members separately: enabled
    • Allow anyone to mention role: optional
  2. Permissions Tab:
    • Enable: timeout members, view audit logs, change nickname, manage nicknames, mention everyone, manage messages, mute members, deafen members, move members
    • Optional: kick and ban permissions
    • Drag role near the top

Admin Role

  1. Create Role:
    • Name: Admin
    • Set vibrant or custom color
    • Display role members separately: enabled
    • Allow anyone to mention role: disabled
  2. Permissions Tab:
    • Enable: administrator
    • Make sure only trusted individuals receive this role
    • Place role above moderator

Bot Role

  1. Create Role:
    • Name: Bot
    • Set color (optional)
    • Display role members separately: optional
    • Allow anyone to mention role: disabled
  2. Permissions Tab:
    • Option 1: enable permissions you want bots to have
    • Option 2: clear permissions
    • Place role below moderator

Friend/VIP Role

  1. Create Role:
    • Name: Friends
    • Choose vibrant color
    • Display role members separately: enabled
    • Allow anyone to mention role: disabled
  2. Permissions Tab:
    • Optional: enable change nickname, move members
    • Place role below moderator

Muted Role

  1. Create Role:
    • Name: Muted
    • Typically dull or grey color
    • Display role members separately: disabled
    • Allow anyone to mention role: disabled
  2. Permissions Tab:
    • Ensure no permissions are set
    • Place role above member

Booster/Subscriber Roles

  • Discord auto-creates booster roles
  • Follow same permissions as member roles
  • Place above member role

Setting Up Channel Permissions

  1. Create Channels:
    • Right-click on side panel -> Create Channel
    • Name channel
    • Go to Permissions tab
    • Expand advanced permissions section

Server Detail Channels

  • For public view, but no messaging
  • Everyone Role: enable view channel, read message history
    • Optional: create invite
    • Disable all other permissions
  • Add bot roles if required

General Channels

  • For all members
  • Everyone Role: enable send messages, send in threads, add reactions, read message history
    • Disable all other permissions
  • Voice Channels: enable connect, speak, use voice activity, disable other permissions
  • Add muted role to disable send messages and speak
  • Add member role, enable view channel

Moderator Channels

  • Access only by mods, admins, bots
  • Everyone Role: disable most permissions, enable send messages, read message history
    • Voice Channels: disable view channel, manage, enable speak, use voice activity
  • Add moderator role, enable view channel/connect where applicable
  • Add muted role, disable send messages, speak

Friends Channels

  • Access only to trusted/friend roles
  • Everyone Role: enable send messages, read message history, disable view channel, others
  • Voice Channels: enable view channel, connect for friend roles
  • Add muted role, disable send messages, speak
  • Add friends role, enable view channel where applicable

Special Channels (VIP, Boosters)

  • Everyone Role: enable send messages, read message history, disable view channel, others
  • Voice Channels: enable speak, use voice activity, disable view channel, connect
  • Add special roles and similar permissions

Bot and Log Channels

  • For bot logging and interaction
  • Everyone Role: enable send messages, read message history, disable view channel, others
  • Add moderator role, enable view channel
  • Add bot role, enable view channel

Promotional Channels

  • For members to promote content
  • Everyone Role: enable read message history, send messages
    • Disable view channel, manage, others
  • Voice Channels: disable speak for muted roles
  • Add member role, enable view channel
  • Adjust slow mode settings (recommended: 30 minutes or more)

Discord Server Template

  • Provided for ease
  • Use link in the description

Using the Template

  1. Click on the link
  2. Paste in address bar, hit enter
  3. Name your server, click "Create"

Customizing Template

  • Change role colors in roles page
  • Categories preset with permissions
  • Two options:
    • Add new channels directly to categories
    • Sync existing channels to categories