Discord Bot Permissions Guide

This guide explains how Discord permissions work and why HawkWatch needs specific permissions to function properly.

Need a quick fix? Check the Permission Errors troubleshooting guide for fast solutions and built-in diagnostics.

Quick Setup Options

Option 1: Easy Setup with Administrator (Recommended for Most Users)

Want the simplest setup? You can re-authorize HawkWatch with Administrator permissions and skip all the permission complexity below.

• Pros: No need to worry about individual channel permissions - works everywhere instantly
• Security: HawkWatch only uses Administrator for easy posting access, not for any administrative functions
• Setup: Simply re-invite HawkWatch with Administrator permissions
  • This will not delete the bot, it will update its permissions.

Option 2: Custom Permissions (For Advanced Users)

If you prefer to control exactly which permissions the bot has, continue reading this guide to understand how Discord permissions work and set them up manually.

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Understanding Discord Channel Types

Before setting up permissions, it’s important to understand the different types of channels where HawkWatch can post:

Channel Types Explained

• Text Channels - Regular channels with # symbol (like #general, #announcements)
• Threads - Sub-conversations within text channels (created from existing messages or as standalone threads)
• Forum Posts - Individual posts within forum channels (each post is like a mini-thread)

Required Permissions

HawkWatch needs specific permissions to function properly. The exact permissions required depend on where you want the bot to post updates.

🔑 Key Point: Permissions in Discord are set per channel. The bot needs the correct permissions in each channel where you want it to operate…unless you use categories (I want dive into that here)

Always Required (For All Channel Types)

• View Channels - Bot needs to see channels to operate in your server
• Embed Links - Game updates are displayed as rich, formatted messages

Message Permissions (Choose Based on Your Channel Setup)

If posting in regular text channels:

• Send Messages - Required for regular text channels (the standard # channels)

If posting in threads or forum posts:

• Send Messages in Threads - Required for thread channels and forum posts

If you want maximum flexibility:

• Both Send Messages AND Send Messages in Threads - This allows the bot to post in any channel type you choose

⚠️ Important: The bot needs the correct message permission for each specific channel where you want it to post. If you’re unsure about your setup, grant both message permissions to be safe.

Common Permission Issues & Solutions

Issue 1: Bot Works in Some Channels But Not Others

Problem: HawkWatch posts updates in some channels but not in private channels or specific threads.

Cause: The bot lacks permissions in private channels/threads or hasn’t been added to them.

Solutions:

For Private Channels:

1. Add the bot to the private channel:
   • Right-click the private channel → Edit Channel
   • Go to Permissions tab
   • Click Add members or roles
   • Search for “HawkWatch” and add it
   • Grant the required permissions plus the appropriate message permissions for your setup

For Private Threads:

1. Add the bot to the thread:

   • Open the thread
   • Click the thread name at the top
   • Click Add Members
   • Search for “HawkWatch” and add it

2. Ensure thread permissions:

   • The bot inherits permissions from the parent channel
   • Make sure the bot has permissions in the parent channel
   • If issues persist, check thread-specific permission overrides

Issue 2: Bot Has Role But Still Can’t Post

Problem: HawkWatch has a role with permissions, but still can’t send messages or embeds.

Cause: @everyone role has permissions disabled, which overrides bot permissions unless explicitly granted.

Solution - Grant Explicit Permissions:

1. Server-wide permissions (Recommended):

   • Go to Server Settings → Roles
   • Find your bot’s role
   • Enable the required permissions plus the appropriate message permissions

2. Channel-specific permissions:

   • Right-click the channel → Edit Channel
   • Go to Permissions tab
   • Find the bot’s role or add “HawkWatch” directly
   • Set the required permissions plus the appropriate message permissions to ✅ (green checkmark)

💡 Pro Tip: Green checkmarks (✅) always override red X’s (❌). When @everyone has a permission disabled, you need to explicitly enable it for the bot.

Step-by-Step Setup Guide

Method 1: Role-Based Setup (Recommended)

This method gives the bot permissions across your entire server, but individual channels can still override these settings.

1. Create or modify a bot role:

   • Go to Server Settings → Roles
   • Create a new role or select an existing bot role
   • Always enable these permissions:
     • ✅ View Channels
     • ✅ Embed Links
   • Choose message permissions based on where you want the bot to post:
     • ✅ Send Messages (for regular # text channels)
     • ✅ Send Messages in Threads (for threads and forum posts)
     • Or enable both if you want maximum flexibility

2. Assign the role to HawkWatch:

   • Go to Server Settings → Members
   • Find “HawkWatch” and assign the role

3. Test in your channels:

   • Use /settings command to verify the bot can respond
   • Check that game update notifications work properly
   • If the bot doesn’t work in specific channels, you may need to check individual channel permissions

Method 2: Direct Channel Permissions

This method sets permissions individually for each channel where you want the bot to work.

1. Add bot permissions directly:
   • Right-click each channel → Edit Channel
   • Go to Permissions tab
   • Click Add members or roles
   • Add “HawkWatch”
   • Enable the required permissions plus the appropriate message permissions

Troubleshooting Checklist

If HawkWatch isn’t working, check these items:

• Bot is in the server - Make sure HawkWatch is still a member
• Required permissions granted - Both always-required permissions plus the correct message permissions are enabled for each channel
• Channel access - Bot can view the target channels
• Thread access - For threads, bot is added as a member
• Permission hierarchy - Bot role is positioned appropriately
• Channel overrides - No channel-specific restrictions blocking the bot

Quick Permission Test

Use these commands to test if permissions are working:

1. Permission diagnostics: /settings name:GAMENAME - HawkWatch will check and report any permission issues for that specific game’s channel

Still Having Issues?

If you’re still experiencing problems after following this guide:

1. Quick Fixes: Try the Permission Errors troubleshooting guide for fast solutions
2. Built-in Diagnostics: Use /settings name:GAMENAME to let HawkWatch check what’s wrong
3. Easy Solution: Consider re-inviting HawkWatch with Administrator permissions for hassle-free setup
   • This will not delete the bot, it will update its permissions.
4. Get Support: Join our Discord support server

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📚 Related Guides: Permission Errors (Quick Fixes) | Bot Setup | Game Tracking