AutoMod

AutoMod is Discord’s powerful built-in moderation system that automatically filters messages, detects spam, and takes action against rule violations. With DiSky, you can create and manage AutoMod rules programmatically.

How AutoMod Works

AutoMod operates on a trigger-action model:

1. Trigger - Something happens that matches your rule (message contains bad words, too many mentions, etc.)
2. Action - AutoMod takes the configured actions (block message, send alert, timeout member, etc.)

Multiple rules can trigger simultaneously, and each rule can have multiple actions.

Tip

AutoMod rules run on Discord’s servers, making them faster and more reliable than bot-based moderation.

Rule Triggers

AutoMod can trigger based on message content:

Keyword Filter

Blocks messages containing specific words:

create a new automod rule and store it in {_rule}:
    set type of rule to (message with keyword filter "badword" named "No Bad Words")

You can add multiple keywords by separating them with spaces or using multiple filter rules.

Pattern Filter (Regex)

Blocks messages matching a regex pattern:

create a new automod rule and store it in {_rule}:
    set type of rule to (message with pattern filter "m(\\d+)rb" named "Pattern Filter")

This is useful for detecting variations or complex patterns like spam links.

Note

If you’re new to regex, start with simple patterns or use keyword filters. Regex is powerful but can be complex.

Mention Spam Filter

Blocks messages with too many mentions:

create a new automod rule and store it in {_rule}:
    set type of rule to (message with mention filter 5 named "No Mention Spam")

This prevents users from spamming by mentioning many people or roles.

Current Limitation

As of DiSky’s current version, only message triggers are supported. Username and status triggers may be added in future versions.

Rule Actions

When a rule triggers, AutoMod can take several actions:

Block Message

Prevents the message from being sent and shows the user why:

Simple Block

create a new automod rule and store it in {_rule}:
    set type of rule to (message with keyword filter "spam" named "No Spam")

    add block message to responses of rule

Block with Reason

create a new automod rule and store it in {_rule}:
    set type of rule to (message with keyword filter "spam" named "No Spam")

    add block message with "Please don't spam!" to responses of rule

Result: The message is deleted and the user sees this:

Send Alert

Notifies moderators in a specific channel:

create a new automod rule and store it in {_rule}:
    set type of rule to (message with keyword filter "scam" named "Scam Detection")

    add send alert in channel with id "123456789" to responses of rule

Result: AutoMod posts an alert like this:

This is useful for tracking violations without automatically blocking them.

Timeout Member

Temporarily restricts the user from sending messages:

create a new automod rule and store it in {_rule}:
    set type of rule to (message with mention filter 10 named "Excessive Mentions")

    add timeout member for 2 hours to responses of rule

Result: The user is timed out:

You can use any time span: seconds, minutes, hours, or days.

Creating Rules

The complete process involves creating the rule, setting its trigger, adding actions, and deploying it to a guild.

Basic Rule Creation

create a new automod rule and store it in {_rule}:
    # Set the trigger
    set type of rule to (message with keyword filter "badword" named "Profanity Filter")

    # Add actions
    add block message with "Please keep chat family-friendly" to responses of rule
    add send alert in channel with id "987654321" to responses of rule

# Deploy to guild
create rule {_rule} in guild with id "YOUR_GUILD_ID"

Where to Create Rules

Create AutoMod rules in your bot’s on guild ready section to set them up when the bot loads for each server.

Practical Examples

Profanity Filter

define bot MyBot:
    on guild ready:
        create a new automod rule and store it in {_rule}:
            set type of rule to (message with keyword filter "badword1 badword2 badword3" named "Profanity Filter")

            add block message with "Watch your language!" to responses of rule
            add send alert in channel with id "MOD_CHANNEL_ID" to responses of rule

        create rule {_rule} in event-guild

Anti-Spam System

define bot MyBot:
    on guild ready:
        create a new automod rule and store it in {_rule}:
            set type of rule to (message with mention filter 8 named "Mention Spam Protection")

            add block message with "Too many mentions! Please don't spam." to responses of rule
            add timeout member for 5 minutes to responses of rule
            add send alert in channel with id "MOD_CHANNEL_ID" to responses of rule

        create rule {_rule} in event-guild

Scam Link Detection

define bot MyBot:
    on guild ready:
        create a new automod rule and store it in {_rule}:
            # Pattern matches common scam link patterns
            set type of rule to (message with pattern filter "free-?nitro|steam-?gifts|discord-?nitro" named "Scam Link Detection")

            add block message with "This appears to be a scam link!" to responses of rule
            add timeout member for 1 hour to responses of rule
            add send alert in channel with id "MOD_CHANNEL_ID" to responses of rule

        create rule {_rule} in event-guild

Multi-Action Moderation

define bot MyBot:
    on guild ready:
        # Create multiple rules for different scenarios

        # Rule 1: Severe violations - instant timeout
        create a new automod rule and store it in {_severe}:
            set type of rule to (message with keyword filter "extremeword" named "Severe Content Filter")
            add block message with "Severe violation detected" to responses of rule
            add timeout member for 24 hours to responses of rule
            add send alert in channel with id "MOD_CHANNEL_ID" to responses of rule

        create rule {_severe} in event-guild

        # Rule 2: Minor violations - warning only
        create a new automod rule and store it in {_minor}:
            set type of rule to (message with keyword filter "minorword" named "Minor Content Filter")
            add block message with "Please avoid this language" to responses of rule
            add send alert in channel with id "MOD_CHANNEL_ID" to responses of rule

        create rule {_minor} in event-guild

Configurable Rules

define bot MyBot:
    on guild ready:
        # Load settings from variables or config
        set {_modChannel} to "123456789"
        set {_maxMentions} to 5
        set {_timeoutDuration} to 10 minutes

        create a new automod rule and store it in {_rule}:
            set type of rule to (message with mention filter {_maxMentions} named "Mention Limit")
            add block message to responses of rule
            add timeout member for {_timeoutDuration} to responses of rule
            add send alert in channel with id {_modChannel} to responses of rule

        create rule {_rule} in event-guild

Best Practices

1. Start Permissive

   Begin with alerts only, observe patterns, then add blocking/timeouts as needed.

2. Clear Reasons

   Always include helpful reason messages so users understand what they did wrong.

3. Alert Moderators

   Include alert actions so your mod team can review AutoMod decisions.

4. Test Thoroughly

   Test rules in a private channel before deploying to your whole server.

5. Layer Actions

   Combine multiple actions: block message + alert moderators + timeout for repeat offenders.

6. Use Appropriate Timeouts

   Start with short timeouts (5-10 minutes) for minor issues, longer for serious violations.

7. Update Regularly

   Add new patterns as you discover new spam/scam tactics.

Rule Management

Updating Rules

To update a rule, delete the old one and create a new one:

# First, manually delete the old rule in Discord's Server Settings > AutoMod
# Then create the updated rule
create a new automod rule and store it in {_newRule}:
    # ... updated configuration ...

create rule {_newRule} in event-guild

Multiple Rules

You can create multiple rules that work together:

on guild ready:
    # Rule 1: Keyword filter
    create a new automod rule and store it in {_keywords}:
        set type of rule to (message with keyword filter "word1 word2" named "Keywords")
        add block message to responses of rule
    create rule {_keywords} in event-guild

    # Rule 2: Mention spam
    create a new automod rule and store it in {_mentions}:
        set type of rule to (message with mention filter 5 named "Mentions")
        add timeout member for 5 minutes to responses of rule
    create rule {_mentions} in event-guild

    # Rule 3: Pattern filter
    create a new automod rule and store it in {_patterns}:
        set type of rule to (message with pattern filter "spam.*pattern" named "Patterns")
        add block message to responses of rule
        add send alert in channel with id "MOD_CHANNEL" to responses of rule
    create rule {_patterns} in event-guild

Regex Tips

When using pattern filters, here are some helpful regex patterns:

# Match any digits
message with pattern filter "\\d+" named "Numbers"

# Match links
message with pattern filter "https?://[^\\s]+" named "Links"

# Match repeated characters (spam)
message with pattern filter "(.)\\1{5,}" named "Character Spam"

# Case-insensitive match
message with pattern filter "(?i)badword" named "Case Insensitive"

Caution

Escape backslashes in regex patterns by using double backslashes (\\d instead of \d).

Troubleshooting

Rule Not Working

Problem: AutoMod rule doesn’t trigger.

Solutions:

• Verify the rule was created successfully (check Discord’s Server Settings > AutoMod)
• Test with exact keywords or patterns you configured
• Ensure your bot has proper permissions
• Check that the guild has AutoMod enabled

Actions Not Executing

Problem: Triggers work but actions don’t happen.

Solutions:

• Verify the bot has MANAGE_GUILD and MODERATE_MEMBERS permissions
• Check the alert channel ID is correct
• Ensure timeout duration is valid (between 1 minute and 28 days)
• Confirm the guild allows AutoMod actions

False Positives

Problem: Rule blocks legitimate messages.

Solutions:

• Refine your keyword list to be more specific
• Use regex patterns for exact matching
• Lower the mention threshold if too aggressive
• Add exemptions in Discord’s AutoMod settings

Missing Alerts

Problem: Not receiving alerts in the designated channel.

Solutions:

• Verify the channel ID is correct
• Ensure the bot can send messages in that channel
• Check channel permissions
• Confirm the alert action was added to the rule

AutoMod Limits

• Active rules per guild: 10 maximum
• Keywords per rule: 1000 maximum
• Regex patterns per rule: 10 maximum
• Actions per rule: 5 maximum (currently 3 supported types)
• Timeout duration: 1 minute to 28 days

Next Steps

• Set up Audit Logs to track all moderation actions
• Create Welcome Screens for new members
• Learn about Forums for organized discussions
• Explore Error Handling for robust bots