What is a Command Prefix?
A command prefix is the character(s) that trigger your bot's commands. For example, with prefix !:
!help- Shows help!import- Import command
Default Prefix
Kao bots use ! as the default prefix. This works well for most servers, but you can change it if needed.
Changing Your Prefix
During Onboarding
When you first set up Kao, you'll be asked to choose a prefix:
- Complete the bot connection step
- On the prefix step, enter your preferred prefix
- Continue with setup
From Settings
To change your prefix later:
- Go to Settings in your dashboard
- Find the Command Prefix section
- Enter your new prefix
- Click Save
Choosing a Good Prefix
Common Prefixes
| Prefix | Notes |
|---|---|
! | Most common, may conflict with other bots |
? | Less common, good alternative |
. | Minimal, but easy to trigger accidentally |
k! | Multi-character, unique to Kao |
kao | Word prefix, very unlikely to conflict |
Best Practices
Avoid:
- Single letters (
a,b,c) - triggers on normal messages - Common words -
the,and, etc. - Other bots' prefixes - check what bots use in your server
Consider:
- Something memorable
- Easy to type
- Unique in your server
- Short enough for quick commands
Multi-character prefixes like kao! or k! are great for avoiding conflicts while staying easy to remember.
Prefix Conflicts
Identifying Conflicts
If multiple bots respond to the same prefix:
- Both bots will try to handle the command
- You may get duplicate responses
- Some commands may fail unexpectedly
Resolving Conflicts
Check other bots in your server:
- List all bots with command capabilities
- Note their prefixes
- Choose a unique prefix for Kao
Common Bot Prefixes to Avoid
| Bot | Common Prefix |
|---|---|
| MEE6 | ! |
| Dyno | ? |
| Carl-bot | !, ? |
| Rythm (legacy) | ! |
Special Characters
Supported Characters
Prefixes can include:
- Letters (a-z, A-Z)
- Numbers (0-9)
- Symbols (
!,?,.,$,%, etc.) - Spaces (for word prefixes)
Not Recommended
- Discord formatting characters (
*,_,~,`) - Invisible characters
- Unicode symbols (may not work on all devices)
Server-Specific Prefixes
Currently, Kao uses one prefix across all your servers. If you need different prefixes per server, you can:
- Create multiple bots in Discord Developer Portal
- Connect each bot to Kao separately
- Assign different bots to different servers
- Configure unique prefixes for each bot
Troubleshooting
Bot Not Responding to Commands
- Verify you're using the correct prefix
- Check that your bot is online
- Make sure the bot has permission to read messages
- Try the command in a different channel
Prefix Changed But Old One Still Works
- Discord may cache responses briefly
- Wait a few seconds and try again
- Make sure you saved the new prefix
Can't Set Certain Prefixes
Some prefixes may be restricted:
- Empty prefix (must have at least one character)
- Extremely long prefixes (limit exists)
- Certain special characters