You want to set up a new Discord server quickly without manually configuring every channel, role, and permission from scratch. A Discord server template lets you duplicate an existing server’s structure — including channels, roles, and settings — so you can launch a new community in minutes. This article explains what a server template includes, what prerequisites you need, and how to create and share one. You will also learn common mistakes to avoid when using templates.
Key Takeaways: Creating and Sharing a Discord Server Template
- Server Settings > Templates > Create Template: Generates a shareable link that duplicates your server structure.
- Server Boost Level 1 or higher: Required to create a template for servers with 100+ members.
- Template link expiration: Set a custom expiration date or make the link never expire for permanent sharing.
What a Discord Server Template Includes and What It Excludes
A Discord server template is a snapshot of your server’s configuration — not its content. When someone uses your template, Discord creates a new server that mirrors the following elements from the source server:
- Channel names, types text or voice, and their category groupings
- Role names, colors, and permission settings
- Server name, icon, and verification level
- Channel-specific permission overrides
- Emoji and sticker names but not the uploaded image files themselves
Discord deliberately excludes the following from templates to prevent abuse and protect privacy:
- All messages and message history
- Member lists and member roles assignments
- Bots and integrations
- Uploaded files, images, and attachments
- Webhooks and their configurations
- Server boosts and boost-related perks
Understanding these limitations helps you set realistic expectations. A template gives new server owners the same foundation you built, but they must add their own members, bots, and content.
Prerequisites for Creating a Server Template
Before you can create a template, your server must meet these requirements:
- You must have the Manage Server permission on the source server
- The server must have at least one channel and one role
- If the server has 100 or more members, the server must be at Boost Level 1 or higher
- You cannot create a template from a server that already has a template unless you delete the existing one first
Steps to Create and Share a Discord Server Template
Follow these steps to generate a template link and share it with others.
- Open Server Settings
Click the server name at the top-left of your channel list. Select Server Settings from the dropdown menu. - Go to the Templates page
In the left sidebar, scroll down to the Community section and click Templates. If you do not see this option, your server may not meet the prerequisites listed above. - Create the template
Click the Create Template button. A dialog box appears asking for a template name and optional description. Enter a clear name such as “Gaming Community Base” and a short description that tells users what the template includes. Click Create. - Copy the template link
After creation, Discord displays a unique URL that looks likehttps://discord.new/abc123. Click Copy to save this link to your clipboard. You can also click the pencil icon to edit the name or description later. - Set link expiration optional
By default, template links never expire. To set an expiration date, click the three-dot menu next to the template and select Edit Template. Under Link Expiration, choose a time frame from 30 minutes to 30 days, or keep it set to Never. Click Save. - Share the template link
Paste the copied link in a message, on a website, or in a documentation page. Any Discord user who clicks the link can create a new server based on your template. They must be logged into Discord and have fewer than 100 servers already.
If you need to revoke a template link, return to Server Settings > Templates, click the three-dot menu, and select Delete Template. This action immediately invalidates the link. Users who already created a server from that template keep their server — only future use of the link is blocked.
Common Mistakes and Limitations When Using Server Templates
Template Link Does Not Work or Shows an Error
If a user reports that the template link leads to an error page, check these causes:
- The template was deleted from the source server — create a new one
- The link expired if you set an expiration date — generate a fresh link
- The user already has 100 servers — they must leave or delete one before using the template
- The user is not logged into Discord — they must sign in before clicking the link
Roles and Permissions Do Not Copy Correctly
Discord copies role names, colors, and permissions exactly. However, if your source server uses role hierarchies where one role is above another, the template preserves that hierarchy. The issue arises when the template creates roles in a different order than expected. To avoid confusion, organize your roles in the source server before creating the template. Use the drag handles in Server Settings > Roles to arrange them from highest to lowest privilege.
Emojis and Stickers Are Missing in the New Server
The template copies emoji and sticker names but not the actual image files. Users who create a server from your template see placeholder names with no images. They must upload their own emoji and sticker images. If you want to share your custom emoji images, send them separately as a file or link.
Cannot Create a Template Because Server Has Too Many Members
If your server has 100 or more members and is not Boost Level 1, the Templates option is grayed out. You have two options: boost the server to at least Level 1, or temporarily remove members until the count drops below 100. After creating the template, you can re-invite the removed members. Boosting is the recommended path because it also unlocks other perks such as higher audio quality and more emoji slots.
Discord Server Template vs Server Setup Guide vs Server Boosts
| Item | Server Template | Server Setup Guide |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Duplicates your server structure channels, roles, settings instantly | Provides a step-by-step checklist for building a server manually |
| Content transferred | Channel names, role names, permissions, server name, icon | No content transferred — only instructions |
| Time to apply | Seconds after clicking the link | Minutes to hours depending on complexity |
| Prerequisite | Manage Server permission and Boost Level 1 if over 100 members | No prerequisites |
| Best for | Repeatedly launching identical server structures | Teaching new server owners how to configure settings |
A server setup guide is a text or video tutorial you write yourself. It does not require any permissions or boosts. Use a template when you need speed and consistency across many servers. Use a setup guide when you want to explain the reasoning behind each configuration choice.
You can now create a server template that captures your ideal channel layout and role permissions. Share the link with friends, community members, or the public to let them start their own server with the same foundation. For advanced use, pair your template with a written setup guide that explains which roles to assign and how to configure bots. Remember to update your template whenever you make structural changes to your source server so the link always reflects your current setup.