Host a Discord Python bot with discord.py

A bot written with discord.py is made of a few files: the code, the list of dependencies and a start file. Once these three are ready, hosting means uploading them, installing the dependencies, starting the bot and reading the logs when something goes wrong.

• A discord.py bot is made of three files: the code, requirements.txt and the start file.
• The token never belongs in the code or in Git.
• The logs give the cause: read the last exception before restarting the bot.

Prepare the files

The bot should fit in a simple folder. Keep the token out of the code (see the article on environment variables) and list the dependencies in a requirements.txt file, which the installation reads line by line.

• bot.py: the start file, the one that creates the client and calls client.run().
• requirements.txt: one package per line, for example discord.py>=2.3 for the minimum version you tested.
• A local .env file for your tests only: it must never reach the server or Git.

Install and start the bot

On a Python environment, the command to install the dependencies is the same as on your PC. Once the packages are installed, the bot starts from its start file.

• pip install -r requirements.txt: installs the listed packages.
• python bot.py: starts the bot locally to check that it connects.
• If the console reports a start file it cannot find, it searches the sub-folders and offers a one-click fix.

Read the logs

The logs are the first place to look. A bot that stops almost always leaves a trace: a Python exception, a refused login or a token error.

• A Traceback followed by an exception name: the file and line it points to are the code to fix.
• discord.errors.LoginFailure: the token is missing or invalid, see the article on common Discord bot errors.
• Privileged intents: Message Content must be enabled in the Discord developer portal if your code reads message text.

Why ACLClouds for a discord.py bot

The free plan gives 1 bot, 315 MB of RAM, 0.25 vCPU and 715 MB of storage. ffmpeg, yt-dlp and deno are already installed, and each bot has its own SFTP access.

• Free plan: 1 bot, 315 MB of RAM, 0.25 vCPU, 715 MB of storage, uploads up to 100 MB.
• The Python image includes ffmpeg, yt-dlp and deno.
• SFTP access per bot on port 2222, to upload your files with FileZilla.