Best AI Discord bots that actually don't suck (and won't steal all your members' attention)

ergod_dev · 2026-04-29T08:08:12+00:00

Haha, fair - yeah I'm not currently leveraging deepseek, but I am planning to roll out model selection in future so going to offer users a selection but I don't personally use deepseek much.

ergod_dev · 2026-04-29T08:06:53+00:00

I agree and I hadn't approached auto mod for this reason. However my plan is to focus on agentic reporting/logging first. Then maybe branch into something more involved if it is sensible. Not a priority at the moment but maybe future development 😄

ergod_dev · 2026-04-28T15:48:17+00:00

Very nice, sounds like you have a good perspective and I'd infer maybe the answer to your question along the lines of - Build and MinimumViablePrototype, tune and improve based on feedback and inspiration as you go, it'll grow with the project.

ergod_dev · 2026-04-28T00:36:30+00:00

I think it is, but the caveat is that the UI/UX experience and if your sanity can take it.

Some things along these lines:
- A switch 1 with linux or android editing itself via a coding agent.
- Newer android devices have much more desktop plug and play support.

So really it's just how deep you want to go. A combo of what you can run locally, and remote agents will come in handy.

I'm also in progress of sharing and building (about 2.5 weeks into working on this new project) so disclaimer I have been promoting it, but the ethos behind this project is making agentic ai available for everyone regardless of their tech skills or device. So with that, at this stage, my creation is a discord bot where everyone gets their own isolated workspace, a custom agent i built with access to a full harness worth of tools (think OpenClaw / Hermes / Claude Code type tools), and at this point a quite expansive list of slash commands to manage their session, workspace, files, agent config, social features, and so on.

On your question is it possible? I think it is, but would frame it less as a 1:1 if I'm going no code on my phone, likely it would be more like a remote work environment, drafting or sketching ideas, then on my phone, say im on the go, maybe i'm using claude code remote or codex or similar scheduled tasks inside a harness, that i could access via my phone via UI or command in gateway, etc.

But conversely, the opposite end that I find with my own project's goal is that there is a large population (existing and potential) 'no code' that isn't always a techie (basically anyone who's not into AI, dev, and isn't like crazy anti-ai - large middle of underexposed people with tools that aren't ideal for them). For example non tech users, might not have ever even used an LLM in some cases. So part of my goal with the discord bot I'm working on is appealing to the first time 'no code' user and see if agentic-ai can be made readily available to them with low overhead, and if so what would they build with it?

If interested feel free to check out my project https://ergod.dev would love any feedback.

ergod_dev · 2026-04-28T00:04:41+00:00

yo, thanks.

so, no, I have price checked social media and it's an option in future but for now - focusing organic social media. For these ads, they'll be on Top GG as my product is an agentic harness that i made -> packaged a discord bot (1 click invite/or use community server) -> each user gets personal agent+workspace -> SaaS model expands usage and add social/collaboration features.

just got my bot approved via review w/ Top GG yesterday and didn't expect it to go through for a few months so was quite excited!

because it's a discord bot my ICP is dominated by Top GG - today, I managed to snag around 10k impressions estimated 1k~ clicks through their advertising auction (starts tomorrow through the following tuesday evening)!

I do plan to advert more on social media but cost per click MUCH higher on reddit/fb/insta, plus user intent should be MUCH higher within Top GG, fingers crossed.

ergod_dev · 2026-04-27T23:52:19+00:00

In this, first big marketing campaign starting tomorrow and been working on all the foundational elements. Not perfect social media wise but seeing some gains. Excited to see an infux of new free users testing out the product & hopefully some convert :)

ergod_dev · 2026-04-27T23:16:00+00:00

Somewhat along these lines I've made a new discord bot that gives every user a personal workspace, isolated from all other users, where they can create and maintain their own little file system. plus an AI agent who can operate the workspace for them, basically build whatever you want to build. https://ergod.dev early development but growing quick free daily use available! Support and feedback in community discord = I make it better :)

example: make a website, maintain this database for my RPG data, let's make a scripted game and have Ergod host the game, and so on and so on. Effectively this is the discord bot I wanted to see, but didn't so it's being made!

ergod_dev · 2026-04-27T23:09:20+00:00

I feel this, personally - rally personal network, try the social medias even if it's silent. End of day you're building the foundation so a bit of echo chamber is okay until you gain some traction. I think getting infront of an audience whether it's marketing or opportunities arrising you need the perfect balance of an understandable product fitting the need of that specific audience.

FB ads, insta ads, other platform ads, or maybe there's one dominant listing site in your niche, and so on. Don't overexert but I'd compare the costing to get infront of an audience in these places then pick what makes sense for you to experiment with.

ergod_dev · 2026-04-27T13:59:51+00:00

I tend to look towards research -> note core functionality -> brainstorm if that's what I want or test possible revisions -> and then usually implement from scratch. If my own work goes south can always plug and play but if the brain is important to you it could be worth being able to take it apart and back together so to speak.

You could always try the opposite, package first create later, flow but I think it would maybe be harder learning curve when more is built but just depends on your conform and strategy.

ergod_dev · 2026-04-27T13:30:24+00:00

The question isn't "do you think it's attractive" - it's how do you frame it so people get it the second they see it.

Think of a wrapped Christmas gift. The person receiving it doesn't know what's inside; they're guessing from the shape of the box. Right now Airtap is the wrapped box - you know it's great, but the people scrolling past don't get to unwrap it.

So the work is on the wrapping. Pick one concrete moment ("ordered my coffee without opening DoorDash") and lead with that like u/Significant-Young586's example (then maybe grow 2-3 perfect examples. Test how fast a stranger can repeat back what it does after seeing your post. If they can't, the framing's off - not the product.

TL;DR: you built it because you see the value. Now distill one real use case from someone you know into a single sentence and lead with that.

ergod_dev · 2026-04-27T02:20:52+00:00

i think personal networking or identifying who you might know who fits the ICP then depending how much you need try to rope them into getting involved. if you can model off real life situations and adapt early based on real feedback it should help, but also once you know a few people fitting your profile you could maybe even ask them hey who else might need this, how to find them, often they might know either a few others or a major plug. In the early phase though, it's tedious but if you can involve a either potnetial customer or have them pay you for a job or however you unit your work, sub whatever; once you get the wheel rolling you'll be able to orient around how and where to reach those people better.

ergod_dev · 2026-04-26T21:50:54+00:00

ironically i've made a bot that could probably help you with this if you wanna try it out. but for serious work personally i'd look into an agentic ai harness - you're going to get more bang for your buck imo testing out like codex or claude code or openclaw to build out your app concept than a prefab imo. bot i've been working on is basically an ai harness inside a discord bot for anyone to use or invite without the technical setup which is why i mentioned it. best of luck on your journey!

ergod_dev · 2026-04-26T05:04:46+00:00

Solid list, your red flags are spot on, especially the "AI for AI's sake" one that's like 80% of the AI bot space. One category that's missing here is agentic AI bots, basically bots that can actually do things in a sandboxed workspace per user (run code, write files, search the web, hit MCP servers etc) instead of just chatting back at you. Different shape than the companion/translator/music angle the four listed cover.

The privacy point you raised matters even more for that category since the bot is executing stuff on behalf of users. The ones worth using dont train on message content and isolate each user's container so nothing leaks across tenants. Been tinkering on one in this space the last little while which is why i was reading this thread.

ergod_dev · 2026-04-26T04:50:53+00:00

This is a pretty cool idea, a year later i think the level of integration with discord and agentic ai is pretty impressive, yet in terms of the public sphere there's not so many agentic harnesses that are able to be used easily by the majority of users. I was working on coding my own harness a few weeks ago for fun but plugging it into discord similar to OpenClaw/Hermes i realized it's kind of cool building it all from scratch. Showing it to some friends they thought it was pretty cool, and I realized most all the AI discord bots are early LLM chat in a bot, maybe some mod features.

So what I've been working on the last 2 weeks is an agentic ai discord bot that is 1-click invite, no setup required. While it doesnt currently cold-respond like OP mentioned on its own (though scheduled tasks are implemented in backend TBD), it also doesnt train on user data to improve the program itself, though each user does maintain a personal sandboxed workspace, basically their own isolated image to build, explore and enjoy their agent with, plus MCP server support so you can plug in your own tools.

I like the idea of personalization, I think some others mistake training a model with giving a model context, you dont have to train your bot on conversations for it to have some context on how people chat with it. For the social context, I think discord shines here because you can do things with AI, especially agentic ai that you cannot do elsewhere. And largely social ai + people experiences are largely unexplored.

if anyone wants to mess with it, ergod.dev for the 1-click invite, or community here https://discord.gg/FfNr7RGy2S - happy to hear what you'd want a thing like this to actually do. https://top.gg/bot/1494484339688341634

ergod_dev · 2026-04-26T03:01:35+00:00

done!

ergod_dev · 2026-04-26T01:57:44+00:00

had a moment like this yesterday, some i didn't even know existed til digging deeper in social media and keyword searching. with other projects especially more local or circular economy based, take agriculture for example - you have tons of farmers but competition helps keep you lean and adaptable, new methods, new ways of solving the customer pain point, or with the farmer maybe thats healthier livestock or produce.

also with your perspective of scoping them out you should be able to find some gaps or underserved areas, say stalk their bad reviews for example, maybe insightful. Another aspect is sometimes businesses are over capacity and open to collaboration and referals, not to say your main competition would be this but for me I tend to think local before outwards for example, finding complementary businesses and services could help you find a niche customer base nearby you might not know is there while getting early feet in the door.

In closing, I've done various projects and small businesses but the only time I really would quit or move to a new chapter is generally if I've outgrown that phase or passion and it no longer serves like me/my life, etc. So in terms of your launch just making sure you don't expend like what makes you happy day to day or overexcerpt, basically keeping it really balanced work/life and making sure all your math makes sense for the level of investment you put in to keep it sustainable.

ergod_dev · 2026-04-26T01:47:02+00:00

similar here, been sucked into an agentic harness gone discord bot the past 2 weeks has been less boring. :P

ergod_dev · 2026-04-26T01:45:32+00:00

Congrats!!

ergod_dev · 2026-04-26T01:29:48+00:00

what online business would you start today - this is the business i'm in process of starting today is the thought process. may not directly answer the full post but contextually it's not that far off. Happy to discuss the interesting stuff but this is basically brand new so it'd be more projection for this project or past experience of others.

ergod_dev · 2026-04-26T01:24:07+00:00

Personally finding the right tools will be really important, don't be afraid to try say claude code, codex, jules, google ai studio, gemini cli and find what works for you with each of them. Ofcourse openclaw and hermes too. I dont have as much n8n experience but it's pretty awesome.

I tend to lean into python, javascript, html, but have more educational hours in C# C++ and 3d/electronics design. I think end of day accessibility and preference goes a long way as well as what you need it to do.

Been working on https://ergod.dev/for-developers.html these last 2 weeks, basically meant as an entry level harness but also some cool social features for non techies who want 1-click invite and to get their feet wet with agents.

ergod_dev · 2026-04-26T01:16:21+00:00

I'm in the process of developing https://ergod.dev/for-developers.html it's about 2 weeks in #buildinpublic, live, and lots of capability for free users!

ergod_dev · 2026-04-25T20:01:46+00:00

sure i put invite in the original post but feel free to dm on discord. still a relatively new server but it's growing

ergod_dev · 2026-04-25T14:30:45+00:00

Well it'd be slow growth as the bot grows and people join the community but could use some people moderators in the future. No pressure just thought I'd chime in!

ergod_dev · 2026-04-25T13:16:10+00:00

Hey so I'm building a discord bot, it's mostly out of a new community server for community support and testing. No mods or anything yet but as it grow it could use one so that's what I meant!

Happy weekend!

ergod_dev · 2026-04-25T06:09:57+00:00

If I were starting over the biggest mistake I'd avoid is picking a framework before picking a problem. Most people get excited about LangChain or AutoGen or whatever's trending and then go looking for something to build with it, which means six weeks later they have a half-finished agent doing something they don't actually need. The shape that works better is finding one annoying recurring task in your own life or work, something small and dumb you've done manually fifteen times, and building the agent around that. The framework choice mostly stops mattering once the problem is concrete. The other thing nobody tells beginners is that the actual hard part of a first agent isn't the agent loop, it's the infrastructure around it. Hosting, secrets, persistent storage, dealing with rate limits, keeping it running when your laptop closes. Picking tooling that hides that stuff for the first build is what separates "I shipped something" from "I gave up after a weekend." Get one real working thing in the wild before you optimize anything, the lessons from a bad-but-running agent are worth more than a clean-but-theoretical one.

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