Discord API Write

Post messages, thread replies, and reactions in Discord server channels. Used for community engagement -- answering questions, sharing resources, and participating in forum threads.

Authentication

Same as discord-api-read. Requires a bot token with write permissions.

Required bot permissions (integer: 2048 + 64 + 32768):

• SEND_MESSAGES (2048) - post in text channels
• ADD_REACTIONS (64) - add emoji reactions
• SEND_MESSAGES_IN_THREADS (32768) - post in threads and forum posts
• CREATE_PUBLIC_THREADS (optional, 2048) - start new threads
• ATTACH_FILES (optional, 32768) - upload files

Base URL: https://discord.com/api/v10

Core Operations

Post a message to a channel

POST /channels/{CHANNEL_ID}/messages
Headers:
  Authorization: Bot {DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN}
  Content-Type: application/json
Body:
{
  "content": "Your message text here"
}

Supports Discord Markdown:

• **bold**, *italic*, ~~strikethrough~~, __underline__
• `code` and ```language\ncode block```
• > quote and >>> multiline quote
• Links auto-embed; suppress with <https://example.com>
• User mentions: <@USER_ID>
• Channel mentions: <#CHANNEL_ID>
• Role mentions: <@&ROLE_ID>

Reply to a message

POST /channels/{CHANNEL_ID}/messages
Headers:
  Authorization: Bot {DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN}
  Content-Type: application/json
Body:
{
  "content": "Your reply text",
  "message_reference": {
    "message_id": "{ORIGINAL_MESSAGE_ID}"
  }
}

Create a forum thread post

POST /channels/{FORUM_CHANNEL_ID}/threads
Headers:
  Authorization: Bot {DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN}
  Content-Type: application/json
Body:
{
  "name": "Thread title here",
  "message": {
    "content": "First message in the thread"
  },
  "applied_tags": ["{TAG_ID_1}", "{TAG_ID_2}"]
}

Forum channels are common in developer and community Discord servers. Creating a well-tagged forum post is equivalent to creating a new discussion thread.

Reply to a thread

Threads are channels. Use the standard message endpoint:

POST /channels/{THREAD_ID}/messages
Headers:
  Authorization: Bot {DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN}
  Content-Type: application/json
Body:
{
  "content": "Your thread reply"
}

Add a reaction

PUT /channels/{CHANNEL_ID}/messages/{MESSAGE_ID}/reactions/{EMOJI}/@me
Headers:
  Authorization: Bot {DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN}

For standard emoji, URL-encode the emoji character: %F0%9F%91%8D (thumbs up). For custom server emoji: emoji_name:emoji_id.

Edit a message

PATCH /channels/{CHANNEL_ID}/messages/{MESSAGE_ID}
Headers:
  Authorization: Bot {DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN}
  Content-Type: application/json
Body:
{
  "content": "Updated message text"
}

You can only edit messages sent by your bot.

Alternative Tools

| Tool | Approach | Best For | |------|----------|----------| | Discord API (direct) | REST API with bot token | Full control | | discord.js | Node.js library | Rich bot interactions | | discord.py | Python library | Script-based automation | | n8n Discord node | Built-in integration | Workflow automation | | Make (Integromat) | Visual automation | Multi-step workflows |

Rate Limits

Write operations have strict rate limits:

• POST /channels/{id}/messages: 5 messages per 5 seconds per channel
• PUT .../reactions/...: 1 reaction per 250ms
• Global: 50 requests per second across all endpoints

Community engagement rate: limit to 5-10 messages per server per day to avoid being flagged as a spam bot by moderators.

Error Handling

• 403 Forbidden: Bot lacks SEND_MESSAGES permission in this channel. Check channel-specific permission overrides.
• 404 Not Found: Channel or message does not exist. Verify IDs.
• 50006 Cannot execute action on a DM channel: Tried to use a guild-only operation in DMs.
• 50035 Invalid Form Body: Message content validation failed (too long, invalid format). Discord messages max at 2000 characters.
• 429 Too Many Requests: Rate limited. Respect Retry-After header.
• 40058 Cannot send messages in a non-text channel: Tried to post in a voice or category channel. Verify channel type is 0 (text) or 11/12 (thread).

Community Engagement Guidelines

When using a bot for engagement in third-party servers:

• Get moderator approval before adding a bot to someone else's server. Most community servers do not allow random bots.
• Use a personal account for organic engagement in third-party communities. Bot accounts are for your own server or servers that explicitly allow your bot.
• For third-party engagement, the agent should draft responses that a human posts from their personal Discord account. The agent handles research, drafting, and scheduling; the human handles actual posting.
• Forum channels are the best engagement surface. Answer questions with detailed, helpful responses.
• Respect slow mode settings. Many community channels have slow mode (1 message per X seconds) to prevent spam.