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Build a Discord AI Agent with Navin

This guide connects Navin to Discord so a Discord user or server channel can talk to your self-hosted AI agent through the Navin desktop app.

What this guide builds

  • a Discord bot application
  • Message Content intent enabled
  • the Discord channel enabled in Navin Settings
  • one direct message or mention test

Prerequisites

  • Navin desktop app able to reply in local chat
  • Access to the Discord Developer Portal
  • A Discord server where you can invite a bot

Enable Discord in Settings

  1. Create a Discord application, add a bot, copy the token, and enable MESSAGE CONTENT INTENT in the bot settings.
  2. Invite the bot with permissions to read history and send messages.
  3. In Navin, open Settings → Channels → Discord.
  4. Paste the bot token, enable the channel, and keep group policy on mention for first deployment.
  5. Optionally limit allowed server channels in the panel.
  6. Leave allowlists empty for pairing-only mode (recommended). A new user should DM the bot first, get a pairing code, and be approved before using the bot in servers.
  7. Save, restart when prompted, and keep Navin open.

Test a message

  1. Send the bot a DM first. It should return a pairing code.
  2. Approve it in Navin, or with /pairing approve ABCD-EFGH from a trusted chat.
  3. After approval, mention it in an allowed server channel:
@your-bot Hello from Discord

Security notes

  • Keep group policy as mention-only for first deployment.
  • Limit allowed channels where the bot should operate.
  • Prefer pairing-only mode for user access; add a static allowlist only when intentional.
  • Avoid open group behavior in busy channels until session routing is clear.
  • Review tool access before inviting the bot into shared servers.

Troubleshooting

  • No messages arrive: confirm Message Content intent is enabled and Navin is open.
  • DM returns a pairing code: approve it before testing normal replies.
  • Server messages ignored: check pairing approval, allowed channels, and whether the bot was mentioned.
  • Bot cannot reply: confirm invite permissions and channel overrides.

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