Send messages to Discord channels or users from the command line.

Overview

The Discord CLI extension allows you to send messages to Discord channels or users directly from the command line. Use it for notifications, alerts, or any automated messaging.

Prerequisites

Configuration

Create services/config/discord.yaml:

bot_token: "YOUR_BOT_TOKEN"
default_channel_id: "1234567890123456789"  # Optional: default channel
default_user_id: "9876543210987654321"     # Optional: default DM recipient
enabled: true

Getting Your Bot Token

  1. Go to https://discord.com/developers/applications
  2. Click "New Application" -> name it -> "Create"
  3. Go to "Bot" in sidebar -> "Reset Token" -> copy token

Getting Discord IDs

  1. Enable Developer Mode: Discord Settings -> Advanced -> Developer Mode
  2. Channel ID: Right-click channel -> "Copy Channel ID"
  3. User ID: Right-click username -> "Copy User ID"

Inviting the Bot

  1. Go to OAuth2 -> URL Generator
  2. Select scopes: bot
  3. Select permissions: Send Messages
  4. Copy URL -> open in browser -> select server -> Authorize

Commands

Test Connection

Verify bot token and connectivity:

{ "command": "plugins run discord test" }

Expected output:

-> Loading Discord configuration...
[OK] Configuration loaded
-> Testing Discord API connection...
[OK] Connected as: YourBot#1234

Send Message

Send a message to the default target (from config):

{ "command": "plugins run discord send \"Hello from SystemPrompt!\"" }

Expected output:

-> Sending to default target...
[OK] Message sent! (ID: 123456789, Channel: 987654321)

Send to Specific Channel

Override the default and send to a specific channel:

{ "command": "plugins run discord send --channel <channel-id> \"Channel message\"" }

Or using short flag:

{ "command": "plugins run discord send -c <channel-id> \"Channel message\"" }

Send Direct Message

Send a DM to a specific user:

{ "command": "plugins run discord send --user <user-id> \"Private message\"" }

Or using short flag:

{ "command": "plugins run discord send -u <user-id> \"Private message\"" }

Note: The bot must share a server with the user to send DMs.

Examples

Daily Report Notification

systemprompt plugins run discord send "Daily report generated: https://example.com/report"

Build Status Alert

systemprompt plugins run discord send -c 1234567890 "Build #123 passed"

Error Alert to Admin

systemprompt plugins run discord send -u 9876543210 "Critical error in production"

Multi-line Message

systemprompt plugins run discord send "Build Report
━━━━━━━━━━━━
Status: Passed
Duration: 2m 34s
Commit: abc123"

Troubleshooting

"Missing Access" Error

Cause: Bot doesn't have permission to access the channel.

Fix:

  1. Ensure bot is invited to the server
  2. Check bot has "Send Messages" permission
  3. Verify channel ID is correct

"Cannot send DM to this user"

Cause: User has DMs disabled or doesn't share a server with the bot.

Fix:

  1. User must share at least one server with the bot
  2. User must have DMs enabled for that server

"Invalid Discord channel/user ID format"

Cause: ID is not a valid Discord snowflake (17-20 digits).

Fix: Copy the ID directly from Discord using Developer Mode.

"Discord bot token cannot be empty"

Cause: Config file missing or token not set.

Fix: Create services/config/discord.yaml with valid bot_token.

Rate Limited

Cause: Too many messages sent too quickly.

Fix: Wait the indicated time and retry. Discord limits:

  • 5 messages per 5 seconds per channel
  • 10 DM channel creations per second

Quick Reference

Task Command
Test connection systemprompt plugins run discord test
Send to default systemprompt plugins run discord send "message"
Send to channel systemprompt plugins run discord send -c <id> "message"
Send DM systemprompt plugins run discord send -u <id> "message"
Show help systemprompt plugins run discord --help
Show send help systemprompt plugins run discord send --help
  • build_extension-cli - How to build CLI extensions
  • cli_plugins - Managing plugins and extensions