GlowStatus Discord Setup

Automated setup for the GlowStatus Discord community server, following Discord best practices for community growth and management.

Before You Start

Should you create a Discord server for GlowStatus?

Our setup follows proven best practices from successful Discord communities:

✅ Specific Topic: GlowStatus has a clear, focused purpose - smart LED status lighting integration
✅ Community Benefit: Real-time support, feature discussions, and user showcase opportunities
✅ Fills a Gap: Dedicated space for hardware + software integration discussions
✅ Committed Leadership: Long-term commitment to community growth over personal ownership

Quick Setup

1. Create Discord Bot:

   • Go to Discord Developer Portal
   • Create new application → Bot
   • Copy bot token
   • IMPORTANT: Enable these privileged intents:
     • ✅ Server Members Intent
     • ✅ Message Content Intent

2. Bot Permissions: When inviting the bot to your server, ensure it has:

   • ✅ Administrator (recommended for full automation)
   • OR these individual permissions:
     • Manage Server
     • Manage Roles
     • Manage Channels
     • Manage Webhooks
     • View Channels
     • Send Messages
     • Embed Links
     • Attach Files

3. Set Environment Variable:

   # Windows
   set DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN=your_bot_token_here
   
   # macOS/Linux
   export DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN="your_bot_token_here"

4. Install Dependencies:

   pip install discord.py aiohttp

5. Run Setup:

   python discord/setup_discord.py

Manual Setup Steps

If you prefer manual setup, follow these steps in Discord:

1. Server Settings

• Name: GlowStatus
• Icon: Upload your logo with glow effect
• Banner: Use gradient banner (Boost Level 2+ required)

2. Create Roles

• ✨ Sponsor (Gold color)
• 🧪 Beta Tester (Purple color)
• ⚙️ Dev Team (Red color)
• 🖥️ Support (Cyan color)
• 🤖 Bots (Gray color)

3. Channel Protection

For each protected channel:

1. Right-click channel → Edit Channel
2. Go to Permissions
3. Add 🤖 Bots role
4. Set: ❌ Send Messages, ❌ Embed Links, ❌ Attach Files

4. GitHub Integration

1. Go to your GitHub repo → Settings → Webhooks
2. Add webhook: https://discord.com/api/webhooks/YOUR_WEBHOOK_ID/YOUR_WEBHOOK_TOKEN/github
3. Select events: Push, Pull Request, Release, Issues
4. Content type: application/json

Channel Structure

🟢 Info
├── #welcome
├── #rules  
└── #announcements

🔧 Support
├── #setup-help
├── #feature-requests
└── #integration-requests

🔨 Development  
├── #dev-updates (bot-allowed)
├── #cli-version-v1
├── #app-version-v2
└── #api-dev

☕ Lounge
├── #general
└── #show-your-glow

Channel Structure Reasoning

Our channel organization follows proven Discord best practices:

🟢 Info Category

• #welcome: First impression with key links and channel guide
• #rules: Community guidelines (linked in default invites for new user safety)
• #announcements: Official updates to avoid information fragmentation

🔧 Support Category

• #setup-help: Focused troubleshooting and installation questions
• #feature-requests: Community-driven development input
• #integration-requests: Hardware brand/platform support requests

🔨 Development Category

• #dev-updates: Automated GitHub activity feed
• #cli-version-v1: Legacy version support
• #app-version-v2: Current version discussions
• #api-dev: Technical implementation discussions

☕ Lounge Category

• #general: Off-topic community building
• #show-your-glow: User setup showcases and inspiration

Why This Structure Works:

1. Purpose-Driven: Every channel has a clear, specific function
2. Growth-Friendly: Structure scales from 10 to 10,000+ members
3. Support-Focused: Multiple dedicated help channels prevent overwhelming
4. Community-Building: Balance of technical and social spaces
5. Search-Friendly: Logical organization helps users find relevant discussions

Bot Protection Rules

Protected Channels (No bot posting):

• #welcome, #rules, #general, #show-your-glow, #feature-requests

Bot-Allowed Channels:

• #dev-updates, #announcements

Webhook-Only Channels:

• Use Discord webhook integration for GitHub updates

Environment Setup

Create a .env file in the root directory:

DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN=your_bot_token_here
DISCORD_WEBHOOK_URL=your_webhook_url_here

Server Invite

After setup, create an invite link with appropriate permissions:

• Manage Channels
• Manage Roles
• Send Messages
• Embed Links
• Add Reactions
• Use External Emojis

Moderation Guidelines

1. Welcome new users with a friendly greeting
2. Keep discussions on-topic in respective channels
3. Encourage screenshot sharing in #show-your-glow
4. Direct support questions to appropriate channels
5. No spam or self-promotion without permission

Automation Features

• Auto-role assignment for GitHub sponsors
• Welcome message with embedded links
• GitHub activity feed in #dev-updates
• Release announcements in #announcements
• Bot spam protection on community channels

Troubleshooting

Permission Errors (403 Forbidden)

Error: 403 Forbidden (error code: 50013): Missing Permissions Solution:

1. Re-invite bot with Administrator permission
2. Or grant these individual permissions:
   • Manage Server (for server settings)
   • Manage Roles (for role creation/assignment)
   • Manage Channels (for channel creation/editing)
   • Manage Webhooks (for GitHub integration)

Error: 403 Forbidden (error code: 50001): Missing Access Solution:

1. Check bot role hierarchy - bot role must be higher than roles it manages
2. Ensure bot has "View Channels" permission
3. Verify bot is actually in the server

Intent Warnings

Warning: Privileged message content intent is missing Solution:

1. Go to Discord Developer Portal
2. Select your application → Bot
3. Enable "Message Content Intent"
4. Save changes and restart bot

Bot Not Responding

1. Check bot token is correct
2. Verify bot has necessary permissions
3. Ensure bot is invited to the server
4. Check console for error messages

Auto-Moderation Not Working

Error: Auto-mod rules failing to create Solution:

1. Ensure server has Community features enabled
2. Bot needs "Manage Server" permission
3. Check if server already has max auto-mod rules (Discord limits apply)

Webhook Creation Fails

Error: Cannot create webhooks for GitHub integration Solution:

1. Bot needs "Manage Webhooks" permission
2. Check if channel already has max webhooks (10 per channel limit)
3. Verify target channels exist before running setup

Channels Not Creating

1. Bot needs "Manage Channels" permission
2. Check for existing channels with same names
3. Verify category limits (50 channels per category)

Permissions Not Working

1. Bot role must be above roles it manages
2. Check channel-specific permission overrides
3. Verify bot has "Manage Roles" permission

Advanced Moderation Features

Quarantine System

• New accounts (<24 hours) automatically quarantined
• Limited channel access until manual verification
• Prevents bot raids and spam account creation
• Staff can manually quarantine suspicious users with !quarantine @user reason

Auto-Moderation Rules

• Spam Protection: Detects repetitive messages and rapid posting
• Invite Blocking: Prevents unauthorized Discord server promotion
• Link Filtering: Blocks known malicious and suspicious shortened URLs
• Caps Control: Removes messages with excessive uppercase (>70%)

Staff Commands

• !quarantine @user [reason] - Restrict user to quarantine channel
• !unquarantine @user - Remove quarantine and grant verified role
• !verify @user - Manually verify a user without quarantine
• !lockdown [#channel] - Prevent new messages in channel
• !unlock [#channel] - Remove lockdown restrictions
• !webhooks - List active GitHub webhook configurations
• !remake_webhooks - Recreate GitHub webhooks (admin only)

Security Monitoring

• Account Age Tracking: Logs when users join with very new accounts
• Message Pattern Detection: Identifies potential spam or bot behavior
• Suspicious Link Blocking: Real-time filtering of dangerous URLs
• Rate Limiting: Slow mode on channels prone to spam

Escalation Process

1. Auto-Mod: Bot handles obvious violations automatically
2. Quarantine: Staff isolate suspicious users for investigation
3. Manual Review: Human judgment for complex situations
4. Documentation: All actions logged for accountability
5. Appeals: Clear process for users to contest moderation decisions

Discord Community Best Practices

Our Discord setup incorporates proven strategies from successful communities:

Channel Organization

• Clear Purpose: Each channel has a specific, well-defined purpose
• Strategic Order: Important channels (rules, announcements) at the top
• Limited Categories: Focused structure prevents overwhelming new users
• No Redundancy: Avoid duplicate channels that fragment discussions

Role Management

• Earned Privileges: Roles provide meaningful benefits, not just decoration
• Security First: Bot permissions are minimal and specific to their function
• No "Owner" Showcase: Leadership stays integrated with the community
• Verification Required: New members must prove legitimacy before full access

Growth Strategy

• Quality over Quantity: Better to have 50 engaged users than 500 lurkers
• Topic-Focused: Everything relates back to GlowStatus and smart lighting
• No Generic Elements: Avoid becoming just another "general" server
• External Outreach: Connect with existing smart home and developer communities

Moderation Philosophy

• Automated Security: Bot handles spam, raids, and obvious rule violations
• Human Judgment: Complex situations require staff intervention
• Quarantine System: New/suspicious accounts get limited access initially
• Clear Consequences: Rules and punishments are transparent

What We DON'T Do

❌ Level/XP Systems: These encourage spam over meaningful conversation
❌ Generic Game Bots: These don't help GlowStatus stand out
❌ Random Invite Rewards: This violates Discord ToS and brings low-quality members
❌ Staff Showcase: Leadership isn't about status but about serving the community
❌ Multiple General Channels: This fragments discussions unnecessarily

Community Engagement

• Regular Updates: Consistent development progress shared with the community
• User Showcases: Dedicated space for users to share their GlowStatus setups
• Feature Feedback: Community input directly influences development priorities
• Technical Support: Real-time help for setup and troubleshooting issues

Security Measures

• Auto-Moderation: Blocks spam, suspicious links, and invite farming
• Account Age Screening: New accounts get extra scrutiny
• Permission Layering: Multiple security levels prevent single points of failure
• Staff Coverage: Moderation available across different timezones

Growth Milestones

Our community goals based on proven scaling patterns:

• 0-50 members: Focus on core contributors and early adopters
• 50-200 members: Establish regular content and support patterns
• 200-500 members: Add specialized channels and expand moderation
• 500+ members: Consider advanced features and community events

Community Building & Advertising

How to Grow the GlowStatus Discord

Smart Outreach:

• Share in relevant subreddits: r/smarthome, r/homeautomation, r/battlestations
• Post in developer communities: r/Python, r/opensource, GitHub Discussions
• Connect with hardware communities: r/govee, r/philipshue, smart lighting forums
• Engage in calendar/productivity communities where GlowStatus adds value

Quality over Quantity:

• Only invite people genuinely interested in smart lighting or productivity tools
• Share when providing helpful answers, not as random promotion
• Let satisfied users become natural advocates through word-of-mouth

Content Strategy:

• Regular development updates and behind-the-scenes content
• User spotlight features showcasing creative GlowStatus setups
• Technical tutorials and integration guides
• Feature announcement and roadmap discussions

Server Listing Sites

For increased discoverability, consider listing on:

• invite.gg - Custom invite links and server discovery
• discordservers.com - Popular server directory with search functionality
• carbonitex.net - Server statistics and listing platform

What NOT to Do

❌ Random Discord Spam: Never post invite links in unrelated servers
❌ Reward Invites: Incentivizing invites brings uninterested users
❌ Generic Promotion: "Join my server" posts without context
❌ Off-Topic Shares: Only share where GlowStatus genuinely adds value

Building Engagement

Regular Activities:

• Weekly development updates with screenshots/demos
• Monthly "Setup Showcase" where users share their lighting configurations
• Feature request voting and community roadmap discussions
• Beta testing opportunities for active community members

Community Events:

• GlowStatus setup competitions with sponsor prizes
• Developer Q&A sessions about the project's future
• Integration challenges: "Light up your ___ with GlowStatus"
• Troubleshooting sessions for complex hardware setups

External Partnerships

Strategic Connections:

• Smart home influencers and content creators
• Home office setup communities
• Developer tool communities
• Hardware review channels and blogs

Remember: The goal is building a sustainable community of engaged users, not accumulating member count numbers.

Next Steps

1. Set up GitHub webhooks for automated updates
2. Create custom emojis for GlowStatus branding
3. Add server boosters perks for enhanced features
4. Set up automated moderation with bots like MEE6
5. Create community events and announcements