A Discord MCP server gives an AI client tools to read channels, send messages and manage your server. It runs as a Discord bot, so setup is mostly creating the bot and inviting it. Here is the path.
Step 1 — create a Discord bot
In the Discord Developer Portal → New Application → Bot. Copy the bot token. Under the bot settings, enable the Privileged Gateway Intents the server needs (commonly Message Content Intent, plus Server Members / Presence if used). Then invite the bot to your server with permissions: View Channels, Send Messages, Read Message History.
Step 2 — configure the client
A representative Node config:
{
"mcpServers": {
"discord": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "discord-mcp"],
"env": {
"DISCORD_TOKEN": "your_bot_token",
"DISCORD_GUILD_ID": "optional_server_id"
}
}
}
}
Package and env names vary by implementation (Node, Python/uv, Java) — match the repo you pick. Restart the client; see MCP config file location.
Step 3 — verify
Ask: "Summarise the last 20 messages in #general." Real messages back mean the bot is connected and has access to that channel.
Common problems
- Bot sees no messages — Message Content Intent isn't enabled, or the bot lacks access to that channel.
Missing Access/Missing Permissions— re-invite the bot with the right permissions.invalid token— wrong or regenerated token.- No tools in client — see Cursor MCP not working.
Security
A bot token controls your bot's access to the server. Keep it out of any shared config, grant least-privilege permissions, and review the server code first — see how to vet an MCP server and MCP security best practices.
Going further
Discord pairs with GitHub and a web-search server for community-ops. Browse the communication category or curated loadouts.