# Getting Started - TL;DR

This is the TL;DR version. If you wish for a long version with more explanations, please see this guide

# Create App and Bot Account

Go to the Discord.com Application Page
Create a New Application, and give it a name
Click Bot, Add Bot then finally click Yes, do it
Visit https://discord.com/oauth2/authorize?client_id=APP_ID&scope=bot , replacing APP_ID with the Application ID from the app page, to add the bot to your server (or ask a server admin to do it for you). If you're wanting slash commands as well, add %20applications.commands to the end of the URL above.
Copy your bot's Secret Token and keep it for later

# Pre-requisite software

Depending on the operating system you're running the installation will be slightly different.

nodejs (Version 16.6 and higher required, see Windows or Linux)

Once you have this all installed, create a folder for your project and install discord.js:

mkdir mybot cd mybot npm i discord.js

# Example Code

The following is a simple ping/pong bot. Save as a text file (e.g. index.js), replacing the string on the last line with the secret bot token you got earlier:

const { Client, Intents } = require("discord.js");
// Since discord.js exports an object by default, we can destructure it. Read up more here https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Operators/Destructuring_assignment
const client = new Client({
  intents: [Intents.FLAGS.GUILDS, Intents.FLAGS.GUILD_MESSAGES]
});
 
client.on("ready", () => {
  console.log("I am ready!");
});
 
client.on("messageCreate", (message) => {
  if (message.content.startsWith("ping")) {
    message.channel.send("pong!");
  }
});
 
client.login("SuperSecretBotTokenHere");

# Launching the bot

In your command prompt, from inside the folder where index.js is located, launch it with:

node index.js

If no errors are shown, the bot should join the server(s) you added it to.

# Resources

Discord.js Documentation : For the love of all that is (un)holy, read the documentation. Yes, it will be alien at first if you are not used to "developer documentation" but it contains a whole lot of information about each and every feature of the API. Combine this with the examples above to see the API in context.
An Idiot's Guide is another great channel with more material. York's guides are great, and he continues to update them.
Evie.Codes on YouTube: If you prefer video to words, Evie's YouTube series (which is good, though no longer maintained with new videos!) gets you started with bots.
An Idiot's Guide Official Server: The official server for An Idiot's Guide. Full of friendly helpful users!
Discord.js Official Server: The official server has a number of competent people to help you, and the development team is there too!

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