- Define clear, enforceable rules aligned with Discord's guidelines to ensure respect and safety.
- Separate rules by area (text, voice, pings, bots) and limit spam, flooding, and NSFW content.
- Enable Member Review, manage permissions, and use designated channels for reports and announcements.
Discord is a place where communities of all kinds come together to chat, play games, and organize in real time; a true virtual living room with text, voice, and video. Without a clear set of rules , what starts as an oasis of good vibes can quickly turn into chaos, spam, and toxic arguments.
Far from being authoritarian, establishing rules is a way to build community and set healthy boundaries for coexistence. A well-defined set of rules facilitates moderation, aligns expectations, protects individuals, and gives your server an identity, attracting those who fit its culture and discouraging those who seek the opposite.
Why your server needs clear rules
The rules provide tangible benefits from day one. They clarify expectations about what is and isn't allowed, preventing misunderstandings and unnecessary conflicts in chat and voice messages.
They are also a key tool for protecting the community. They prohibit harassment, spam, and inappropriate content , foster a safe and inclusive environment, and ensure transparent and consistent moderation decisions.
Furthermore, they serve as a basis for resolving disputes. When a violation occurs , the moderation team can act based on public and universally known rules, with proportionate and documented measures.
And finally, they help with organization. Defining what to publish in each channel keeps the server tidy and makes the experience more pleasant for both newcomers and daily participants.
Rules that must be reflected yes or yes (Discord Guidelines)
Your rules must fundamentally comply with Discord's Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. Some non-negotiable minimums include: prohibition of harassment and threats; hate speech (racism, sexism, LGBTQ+phobia, etc.); incitement or advocacy of violence; grooming or any online sexual abuse, with special protection for minors.
Likewise, intellectual property and permitted content must be respected. Sharing copyrighted software, art, or music without permission, as well as sexually explicit material, gore, or NSFW content in unauthorized spaces, is prohibited .
An important note: Discord is only permitted for users 13 years and older . Your community can and should include younger users, so it's advisable to maintain a safe and family-friendly environment if that's the server's focus.
Base rule template (ready to copy and adapt)
Below you'll find a draft of the general rules, complete and easy to adapt. Use it as is or modify it to suit the tone and theme of your community.
1) Respect above all. Treat all members, moderators, and administrators with courtesy. Harassment, disrespect, racism, sexism, homophobia, and all forms of hate speech are prohibited.
2) Use appropriate language. Avoid rude, derogatory, or provocative vocabulary. Keep conversations clean, especially in thematic and general-access channels.
3) No spam or flooding. Do not send repeated messages or string multiple lines together: maximum 5 lines per message. Do not overuse CAPITALS, emojis, or mentions. Self-promotion and unsolicited links also count as spam.
4) Safe Content (SFW). NSFW (sexual, violent, or gory) material is prohibited. If the server has +18 areas, access requires a specific role and strict age compliance.
5) Advertising only with permission. Do not promote other servers, channels, or services without express authorization. If there is a channel for it, use it and follow its rules.
6) Appropriate profiles. Usernames, avatars, and statuses must not be offensive, confusing, or NSFW. Moderation may request changes if necessary.
7) No raiding. Any coordinated raid intended to harass will result in immediate expulsion and ban.
8) Privacy and security. Sharing other people's personal data (doxing) or threatening actions such as DDoS or similar attacks is prohibited. Private information stays private.
9) Comply with Discord's rules. This server is also governed by Discord's Terms of Service and Community Guidelines at all times.
10) Use proper etiquette. Don't shout, play troll audio messages, or blast music; use 'Push to talk' if there's background noise. We ask that you respect ongoing conversations.
The moderation team may warn, mute, expel, or ban anyone who disrupts the community. If you disagree with a measure, please contact the administration privately for a review.
If your server needs to separate levels of detail, you can choose from three template styles: standard (for most) , another detailed one (differentiating casual and official channels, and fine-tuning spam control) and a concise version (straight to the point, ideal for quick reading).
Specific rules: text, voice, and pings
In text channels, post everything to its proper place: memes in the appropriate channel, music where it belongs, support in the appropriate channel. Using the correct channel reduces clutter and makes the server more efficient.
Avoid inflammatory topics unless there's a clear channel for them. Politics and religion should only be discussed in designated spaces with their own rules, as they tend to lead to heated arguments.
Regarding mentions: no mass pinging without reason. Restrict @everyone and @here to authorized roles (e.g., Owner, Administrators, Helper, VIP, Event Organizers, Right Hand, Artists, and Content Creators), and avoid tagging roles or users unreasonably.
In voice channels, quality and respect are paramount. Distracting noises , blowing or overloading the microphone, out-of-context soundboards, shouting, or repeating the same thing over and over are prohibited. If you're going to eat, use 'Push to talk' or mute yourself.
Also: Do not record conversations without permission. Explicit consent from everyone in the channel is required if you want to record audio.
Spam, flood, emojis and more
To keep the chat readable, limit repeated posts and segment-by-segment messages. Consider sending more than five consecutive lines as a flood; condense ideas into fewer messages and allow the chat to breathe between contributions.
Avoid overusing emotes: a maximum of 5 emojis per post is a good guideline. The same goes for stickers and chain reactions, which can become visual noise for everyone else.
Self-promotion must be directed to the correct channel, if one exists, and adhere to that channel's specific rules. Indirect spam also counts: disguised references and covert links are not acceptable for attracting users.
If someone sends you advertising or invitations via direct message, do not interact. Report it in the reporting channel (for example, 'report-users') with evidence so that the staff can take action.
Rules of coexistence and server culture
Respect everyone, without exception. No mean jokes with strangers : humor isn't always understood the same way and can be offensive. Make sure you have a good rapport with the other person and that they share the same level of understanding.
Avoid sensitive topics if they aren't covered by the server's theme or if there aren't designated channels for them. Politics, religion, soccer, or sex tend to create a heated atmosphere; direct these discussions to specific forums or avoid them altogether.
Pay attention to your writing: moderate spelling and clear messages are required. Avoid writing in all capital letters (it's like shouting) and lengthening words that hinder reading.
Respect turn-taking, both in text and voice. Let others speak without interrupting , don't step on microphones, and don't monopolize a voice chat room. If you block its use without reason, you may lose temporary access.
Education is a two-way street: respect the staff and everyone else . Don't act superior just because you have a role; ultimately, a role can be assumed and relinquished, and the goal is to maintain a healthy environment.
Rules on roles, privileges, and applications
Do not request moderation ranks privately or publicly. Staff applications will open when the time is right and will be announced; there is usually a dedicated channel (e.g., 'applications') with requirements and an application form.
If you have permissions, don't use them for personal gain or without justification. Creating, deleting, or hiding channels arbitrarily, or muting/deafening people without reason, is prohibited. Banning, kicking, or muting must always be justified.
Regarding the use of global ping: @everyone and @here are only for authorized roles and important announcements. Abusing these mentions is annoying, disables notifications, and damages the community.
On some servers, file and image sharing is restricted during the first week. Respecting the minimum period (e.g., 7 days) helps prevent trolls from joining, posting inappropriate content, and then leaving.
Sensitive and NSFW content
If your community is suitable for all audiences, there will be no NSFW spaces. If 18+ rooms exist , access to them must be secured through roles, verification, and strict age enforcement.
In any case, distributing sexually explicit or violent content on channels not intended for that purpose is prohibited. Moderators will remove the content and apply measures according to the severity of the offense.
Community Privacy and Security
Never share other people's personal information without permission: real names, addresses, private photos, or other data. Doxing will result in a permanent ban without exception to protect the community.
When in doubt about whether something is okay, stop. Use common sense : if you think it might offend someone or violate a rule, don't post it. And if something makes you uncomfortable or you see a violation, notify moderators.
Channels, bots and commands
Use each channel for its intended purpose. No bot commands in the general channel if there's a 'bot commands' channel. Separating music, memes, and support into channels streamlines the conversation and prevents clutter.
Don't abuse bots: avoid spamming commands, endless music queues, or games that overload the server. Only authorized personnel can add new bots, for server security.
Pinned reminders and notices outside the rules channel
In addition to formal rules, many servers post quick reminders in the general chat to promote good etiquette. For example: don't ask how many people are participating in a particular activity; if you want to know, join in and encourage participation yourself. Ignoring these reminders may result in minor penalties.
Another common reminder: avoid turning the chat into a public complaint forum about moderation. If you disagree with a decision , use the appropriate private channel or contact the relevant person.
Staff recommendations and protocol for disagreements
The final decision rests with the staff. Do not publicly interfere in ongoing sanctions. If you believe a measure was unfair, speak first with the head moderator (or staff member) and, if there is no solution, with the property owner.
When reporting a moderator, be discreet: avoid announcing your intention to report , don't threaten to report without cause, and don't leak messages from private reporting channels. Harassment of staff may also result in penalties.
How to create the rules channel and make it mandatory
Creating the channel is easy: in Settings, add a text channel called, for example, #rules or #norms. Remove posting permissions for the @everyone role so that only staff members can post, and keep the channel clean.
- Open Server Settings and create a text channel (#rules).
- Set permissions so that only authorized roles can write.
- Activate Member Review (Membership Screening) in the Community section.
- Write the rules on the review screen and requires your explicit acceptance to participate.
With active review, anyone joining will see the rules and must accept them before chatting or using voice chat. This ensures everyone understands the basic framework from the start.
Moderation protocol: escalation of measures
It is advisable to have a tiered action plan and apply it consistently. Proportionality is key to maintaining community trust.
- Warning (public or private) with reference to the specific standard.
- Temporary mute if the behavior persists (e.g., 1 hour or 1 day).
- Kick-start (expulsion) when there is no cooperation or the fault is serious.
- Ban (permanent ban) for serious or repeat offenses.
Document the actions taken in an internal staff channel. Recording the context helps ensure fairness in future decisions and allows you to explain actions if someone requests a review.
Practical cases and specific rules for daily use
General channels: avoid commands, off-topic topics, or inappropriate roleplay. Use the appropriate channel for maintaining order (support, memes, music, announcements, etc.).
Voice: Don't post troll/loud audio, make annoying noises, or experiment with filters if the channel isn't for it. If your microphone is picking up noise , adjust the sensitivity, use push-to-talk, or mute yourself temporarily.
Images and files: If the server enforces a minimum age requirement for sharing media, respect it. Limiting users to one week reduces the risk of inappropriate content from newly created accounts.
Applications and announcements: When staff vacancies open, they will be announced and the corresponding channel or form will be enabled. Do not insist on requesting roles via private messages or pressure moderators.
Self-promotion: If there is a 'promotion' or 'introduce yourself' channel, use it sparingly and without posting invitation links to other Discord servers if prohibited. Follow the local rules of that channel to avoid penalties.
Profiles, pings and statuses
Your username, avatar, and status must be legible and appropriate. Avoid unusual characters that make it difficult to identify, excessively long names, or statuses that include advertising or provocations.
Pings should be reasonable: mention only when useful and avoid strings of mentions of roles or people. Overusing tags hinders the conversation and annoys those receiving notifications.
Profiles that impersonate others, pose as staff, or promote scams will be penalized. Impersonation and phishing have no place in this community.
What to do when problems arise
If you notice any violations, contact the moderation team and provide evidence (screenshots, IDs, links). Avoid escalating public arguments that increase conflict; moderation is there to resolve issues.
If you have a disagreement with someone, first try to de-escalate the situation or move the conversation to private chats. If that doesn't work , ask a moderator for mediation. Private disputes are best kept out of the public eye.
In situations involving minors or genuine risk, prioritize safety. Immediately report any suspected grooming, threats, or doxing. Firm action will be taken, and if necessary, the matter will be escalated to Discord.
Quick checklist for owners and managers
Before opening the server, prepare the basics: #rules, #announcements, #reports, #bot-commands, and any thematic channels you need. Define roles and permissions carefully to avoid security vulnerabilities.
Ensure that the posted notices complement, rather than contradict, the rules. Maintain a consistent tone throughout the regulations to avoid confusing messages.
One last helpful tip: maintain a private channel for the team to record decisions and response templates. You'll save time and gain internal transparency in the long run.
With clear rules, organized channels, and a coordinated staff, your server becomes a welcoming and dynamic place where people want to stay. The rules aren't a hindrance ; they're the framework that allows for conversation, creation, and play without unnecessary noise.
