Why Bring Your Own Bot?
Traditional Discord bots are shared across many servers. This creates problems:
- Rate limits - Everyone shares the same API limits
- Trust issues - You're giving a third-party bot permissions
- No customization - Can't change the bot's name or avatar
- Single point of failure - If the bot goes down, everyone is affected
Kao's BYOB model solves all of these:
| Shared Bot | Your Own Bot (BYOB) |
|---|---|
| Shared rate limits | Your own limits |
| Generic bot identity | Custom name/avatar |
| Trust a third party | Control your own bot |
| Dependent on service | Bot persists independently |
Creating a Discord Bot
Step 1: Create Application
- Go to Discord Developer Portal
- Click New Application
- Give it a name (this will be your bot's name)
- Click Create
Step 2: Configure Bot
- Go to the Bot section in the sidebar
- Click Reset Token to generate a token
- Copy the token immediately - you won't see it again
Your bot token is like a password. Never share it publicly, commit it to git, or paste it anywhere except Kao's secure token input.
Step 3: Set Permissions
For Kao to work, your bot needs these permissions:
| Permission | Why It's Needed |
|---|---|
| Manage Emojis and Stickers | Upload and delete emojis |
| View Channels | See server structure |
Step 4: Disable Public Bot
Unless you want others to add your bot:
- In the Bot section
- Toggle off Public Bot
- This prevents anyone else from inviting your bot
Token Security
Your bot token is sensitive. Here's how Kao keeps it safe:
- Encrypted storage - Tokens are encrypted before being saved
- Minimal access - Only used when performing emote operations
- You stay in control - You can reset your token anytime in Discord's Developer Portal
Multiple Bots
Kao supports connecting multiple bots to your account:
- Each bot can be assigned to different servers
- Useful if you manage multiple Discord communities
- Each bot has independent rate limits
Troubleshooting
Bot Won't Connect
- Verify your token is correct (copy it fresh from the Developer Portal)
- Make sure the bot hasn't been deleted from Discord
- Try generating a new token
Bot Can't Upload Emojis
- Verify the bot has Manage Emojis permission in the server
- Check if the server has available emoji slots
- Make sure the bot is actually in the target server
Token Invalid Error
- The token may have been reset in Discord Developer Portal
- Generate a new token and reconnect in Kao