How to Set Up a Discord Server

Setting up a Discord server and inviting your friends and family to join can be the perfect way to stay connected and share your thoughts with each other. While creating a server may sound complicated, it’s not difficult. This tutorial shows how to create a server, set up various channels, then invite people into the server to chat and exchange files. It also takes a quick dive into the permissions system.

Good to know: did you know that you can strikethrough text on Discord? We show you how.

How to Create a Server on Discord

A Discord server is a dedicated space where people can interact and engage in discussions. A typical Discord user might belong to tens or even hundreds of servers, allowing them to participate in multiple communities from one app. When you create a server on Discord, you automatically become the owner of that server. Follow these steps to get started.

1. Open Discord on your PC or mobile device. The steps are very similar.
2. Click the “+” button underneath the servers you have joined on the left.

3. Press the “Create My Own” button at the top of the window that pops up.

4. Tell Discord what kind of community you’re looking to set up. We are choosing the “For me and my friends” option.

5. Name your server and optionally add a profile picture, then press the “Create” button.

6. Your server has been created. You’ll be automatically redirected to its main page.

Tip: is Discord streaming lagging on your Windows PC? Learn what to do about it.

How to Invite Your Friends on the Server

1. You can invite your friends to the server from the welcome screen by clicking on the first button.

2. Search your Discord friend list and invite them to join from there, or send an invite link to people who aren’t on the app. Once new users join the server, they can chat and interact in the default #general channel.

3. If you’re doing this from your mobile device, you can also send the invite link via messages, email, or social media apps, such as Messenger.

4. Once you’ve sent the invites, return to your server’s welcome screen and follow the startup guide. For example, you can “Add your first app.”

5. Click “Check it out” in the pop-up window that appears.

6. Scroll through the app list, including moderation tools, games, and more. For instance, we are settling on the Cat Bot, which automatically adds cat photos and GIFs to the server.

7. On the Cat Bot page, click “Add to Server” to add the bot.

8. Click “Authorize” at the bottom to bring the app to your server.

FYI: learn how to change your status on Discord to let others know what you’re up to.

How to Create Channels

Discord’s utility comes from moving conversations into specific channels, which can be open to all or only particular users. Creating a channel on Discord is similar on PC and mobile.

1. To set up a channel, click the “+” icon in the “Text channels” or “Voice channels” section in the pane on the left.

2. Name your channel and decide whether it should be a private channel, then click “Create Channel.”

3. Click on “Edit Channel” to tweak some of its settings.

4. Under “Overview” in the menu on the left of the next screen, you can rename the channel or add a description. You can also set it as an age-restricted channel.

5. More importantly, you can manage “Permissions” from this window. To view all options, click “Advanced permissions” at the bottom.

6. You can choose whether to allow members to change the channel permissions by granting them “Manage Permissions,” for example. Go through the permissions and make your selection.

Note: you can restrict things to specific users. To do this, set up a “Role,” add users to that role, then apply that role to a channel.

How to Manage Roles and Permissions

1. To start assigning roles, return to your server’s welcome screen and click on the downward arrow next to your server’s name in the upper-left corner.

2. Select “Server Settings” from the menu that pops up.

3. If you’re doing this from a mobile device, tap the three dots next to the server’s name, then select “Settings” from the menu at the bottom.

4. Click “Roles” on the left and press the “Create Role” button on the right.

5. As the owner of the server, you can create roles and assign specific permissions to server users who have certain roles. Name your first role and select a color for it. Make sure you save your changes.

Tip: did you notice an exciting profile picture on Discord? Learn how to download it.

6. Once the role is created, switch to “Permissions” at the top. There are many options, so go through them and decide which permissions this role should have access to. For example, “Manage Nickname” is a permission that allows members to change the nicknames of other members, so proceed with caution.

7. Switch to “Manage Members” to designate the role of various members on the server.

8. Click on “Add members” to designate who will have this role on your server and make your selection.
9. Go back to “Edit Channel” and press the “+” button to add the new role in “Advanced permissions.”
10. Grant specific permissions for people with this role.

How to Join More Servers

Owning a server doesn’t mean you shouldn’t join other servers and expand your Discord experience. If you’re new to the whole business of finding worthy Discord servers to join, we offer a few tips on how to go about it and some Discord server suggestions.

Tip: start using these Discord shortcuts and become an expert user in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between apps and bots on Discord?

The terms are interchangeable. Apps are bots that can add extra functionalities to your server. If you want to boost the appeal of your server, we recommend that you check out these awesome music bots. At the same time, if you’re unsure how to add bots to your server, we have you covered with a dedicated tutorial.

Can I change my server's name if I change my mind?

You can change the server’s name if you’re the owner (or have another high-level permission role on the server). Head to “Server Settings -> Overview” and change the name in the “Server name” box.

How do I delete the server if I don't want it anymore?

You can delete your server on Discord by going to “Server Settings” and scrolling until you spot the “Delete Server” option on the left. Enter the server’s name in the confirmation pop-up and press “Delete Server” again to remove it.

Image credit: Pexels. All screenshots by Alexandra Arici.