# Getting Started Guide
Welcome to Discord MCP! This guide will help you set up and start using the Discord Model Context Protocol server.
## Prerequisites
- Node.js >= 20.11.0
- A Discord Bot Token ([Create one here](https://discord.com/developers/applications))
- Claude Desktop or another MCP-compatible client
## Installation
1. Clone the repository:
```bash
git clone https://github.com/bennettschwartz/discord-mcp.git
cd discord-mcp
```
2. Install dependencies:
```bash
npm install
```
3. Build the project:
```bash
npm run build
```
## Configuration
Create a `.env` file from the example:
```bash
cp .env.example .env
```
Edit `.env` with your Discord bot token:
```env
DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN=your_bot_token_here
```
For more detailed configuration options, see the [Configuration Guide](/configuration).
## Running the Server
### Development Mode
```bash
npm run dev
```
### Production Mode
```bash
npm start
```
## Next Steps
- Learn about [Tool Packs](/packs) to enable additional features
- Explore [Examples](/examples) of common use cases
- Understand the [Security Model](/security) for safe operation
- Set up [Gateway Events](/gateway) for real-time Discord data