Discord
Set up Arcalotl on your Discord server.
Arcalotl integrates with Discord through slash commands, embeds, buttons, modals, and role management. Members choose plans in Discord, then pay on Arcalotl's checkout page.
Adding the bot
- Visit your Arcalotl dashboard and click "Add to server"
- Select the Discord server you want to add Arcalotl to
- Authorize the bot permissions
- Move the Arcalotl bot role above every paid role it needs to manage
Required permissions
Arcalotl needs these Discord permissions to function:
- Manage Roles: to grant and revoke subscription roles
- Send Messages: to respond to commands and send notifications
- Embed Links: for rich embed responses
- Use Application Commands: for slash commands
- Create Channels: for private payment-help fallback channels
- View Channels and Send Messages: for bot responses and fallback channels
Common commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
/subscribe | Browse plans and start checkout |
/manage | View status, change billing, upgrade or downgrade, and open the billing portal |
/cancel | Start the cancellation flow |
/arcalotl setup | Connect Stripe and finish server setup |
/arcalotl plan create | Create a plan tier and billing options |
/arcalotl settings | View and manage server settings |
/arcalotl analytics | View subscription and retention metrics |
See the Discord Command Reference for the full list, including plan management, donations, refunds, and server linking.
Role management
When a member subscribes, Arcalotl assigns the configured role as soon as the payment is confirmed. When access ends, Arcalotl removes the role.
Make sure Arcalotl's bot role is positioned above the roles it needs to manage in your server's role hierarchy. Otherwise, Discord will prevent it from assigning those roles.
Member checkout
Members run /subscribe, choose a plan in Discord, and open Arcalotl's checkout page from the button the bot provides. Payment details are entered in secure embedded payment fields and never pass through Discord or the bot. Arcalotl updates access when the subscription activates.
You can also configure a Community Channels subscribe channel so members can start from a persistent plan display message.
DM-based features
Payment recovery reminders, cancel-save prompts, and term optimization offers are sent by DM when possible. If DMs are closed during payment recovery, Arcalotl can create a private payment-help text channel in the server so the member still has a billing update link.
More than one server
A community is not limited to a single Discord server. You can link additional Discord servers, and servers on other platforms, to the same community so one purchase grants access everywhere. See Connected Platforms.
For common setup issues, see Troubleshooting.