How to host a Node.js Discord bot

This guide is for bots written in Node.js, for example with discord.js.

Set up the server

1. Open your server in the panel. A new bot server starts as Node.js Bot, so you do not need to change the type.

2. Open Files and upload your bot, including package.json. Do not upload the node_modules folder, the server installs it for you.

   • Using git instead? Open Settings, then Game Settings, and fill in Git repository (and the branch if you need one). The files are downloaded when the server is installed. For a private repository also set the git username and an access token.
3. In Game Settings, set Main file to the file that starts your bot, such as index.js or src/bot.js. Files ending in .ts also work.
4. Paste your token into Discord bot token (optional). Your code reads it as process.env.DISCORD_TOKEN.
5. The server runs Node 22. If your bot needs a different Node version, ask support.

Start it

Open Console and start the server. On every start the server runs npm install when a package.json exists, then starts your main file. The first start takes longer while packages download.

Good to know

• Extra packages: the Extra npm packages field installs more packages on every start without editing package.json.
• Memory: Node is limited to 80 percent of your plan's memory, which leaves room for the rest of the process and avoids the server being stopped for using too much.
• TypeScript: a .ts main file runs directly. Compiled JavaScript starts a little faster.
• Updates from git: turn on Update from git on every start to pull your latest code each time the server restarts.

If it stops right away: read Why your Discord bot keeps stopping.