Discord Linked Roles let server members earn a role automatically by linking a third-party account, like a GitHub profile or a Steam account, to their Discord account. This feature removes manual assignment work for server admins and gives members a clear way to prove membership in a community or verify credentials. By using Connections, Discord can check the linked account meets specific criteria before granting the role. This article explains how to set up Linked Roles, configure the required Connections, and manage the automated role assignment process.
Key Takeaways: Setting Up Linked Roles with Discord Connections
- Server Settings > Linked Roles > Create Linked Role: Opens the setup wizard where you pick a Connection type and set the verification rules.
- User Settings > Connections > Add Account: The member must link the required account here before the role can be assigned automatically.
- Role sort order in Server Settings > Roles: Linked Roles appear separately from manual roles and cannot be reordered the same way.
How Linked Roles and Connections Work Together
Linked Roles rely on Discord Connections, which are external accounts a user has linked to their Discord profile. A Connection can be a Steam ID, a GitHub profile, an Xbox gamertag, a PlayStation Network ID, a Twitch channel, a YouTube channel, a Reddit account, a Spotify account, an eBay account, a TikTok account, or a Facebook account. When a server admin creates a Linked Role, they select one Connection type and define criteria that the connected account must meet. For example, a server for game developers might create a Linked Role that requires a GitHub account with at least two public repositories.
Discord checks the linked account data every time a member views the role eligibility page or when the server admin manually syncs roles. If the account meets the criteria, Discord assigns the role automatically. The member does not need to ask an admin to be added. This system reduces manual work and prevents role assignment errors.
Prerequisites for using Linked Roles include having a server with the Community feature enabled. Go to Server Settings > Enable Community to turn this on. You also need the Manage Roles permission to create and edit Linked Roles.
Steps to Create and Assign a Linked Role
Follow these steps to set up a Linked Role that automatically assigns a role when a member links a qualifying account.
Step 1: Enable Community on Your Server
- Open Server Settings
Right-click your server name in the channel list and select Server Settings. - Go to Enable Community
In the left sidebar, click Enable Community. If Community is already on, skip to Step 2. - Complete the setup wizard
Follow the prompts to set a rules channel, a community updates channel, and a server description. Click Finish Setup.
Step 2: Create a Linked Role
- Open Linked Roles
In Server Settings, click Linked Roles in the left sidebar. - Click Create Linked Role
This opens a new role creation page similar to the standard role editor. - Name the role and choose a color
Type a name like “Verified GitHub Developer” and pick a display color. You can also assign separate permissions later. - Select a Connection type
Under Linked Role Connection, choose the platform you want to verify. For this example, select GitHub. - Set verification criteria
Click Add Requirement. Options vary by platform. For GitHub, you can require a minimum number of public repositories, a minimum account age in days, or that the account is affiliated with a specific organization. Set the values you need. - Save the role
Click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.
Step 3: Members Link Their Accounts
- Open User Settings
Click the gear icon next to your username at the bottom left of the Discord window. - Go to Connections
In the left sidebar, click Connections. - Add the required account
Click the icon for the platform you selected earlier, such as GitHub. Follow the platform-specific login prompts to authorize the connection.
Step 4: Claim the Linked Role
- Open the server
Navigate to the server where the Linked Role exists. - Click the role eligibility prompt
If the server has a verification channel or a message prompting members to claim roles, click the button that says Get Role or Verify. If no prompt exists, the member can type/linked-rolesin any channel where they have permission to send messages. - Select the role
A list of available Linked Roles appears. Click the one you want. Discord checks the connected account against the criteria. If the account qualifies, the role is assigned immediately.
Common Issues With Linked Roles and Connections
Role Does Not Assign After Linking the Account
The most common reason is that the linked account does not meet the minimum criteria. For example, if the role requires 10 public GitHub repositories but the member has only 2, the role will not be assigned. The member can check the role eligibility by typing /linked-roles in the server. Discord will show which requirements are met and which are not. The admin can also lower the requirement or choose a different Connection type.
Connection Type Is Not Available in the Linked Role Settings
Linked Roles support only a subset of all Connection types. As of this writing, the supported platforms are GitHub, Steam, Xbox, PlayStation Network, Twitch, YouTube, Reddit, Spotify, eBay, TikTok, and Facebook. If the platform you want is not in the list, you cannot create a Linked Role for it. Consider using a bot like MEE6 or Carl-bot for custom verification flows with unsupported platforms.
Linked Role Appears as a Separate Category in the Role List
Linked Roles are displayed in a separate section called Linked Roles in the Server Settings > Roles page. They cannot be reordered or mixed with manual roles. This is by design so that members can see which roles are automatically verifiable. The role still works like a normal role for permissions and channel access.
Member Sees “No Linked Roles Available” Message
This happens when the member has not linked the required Connection to their Discord account. Instruct them to go to User Settings > Connections and add the account. After linking, they must run /linked-roles again to trigger the check. If they still see the message, confirm that the role exists in the server and that the server has Community enabled.
Linked Role Options by Connection Platform
| Connection Platform | Available Criteria | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub | Minimum public repos, minimum account age, organization affiliation | Verify developers or open-source contributors |
| Steam | Minimum hours played in a specific game, minimum account age | Grant roles to players who own a game or have played a certain amount |
| Xbox | Minimum gamerscore, minimum account age | Verify Xbox Live members or achievement hunters |
| PlayStation Network | Minimum trophy count, minimum account age | Verify PlayStation players |
| Twitch | Minimum followers, minimum account age | Grant roles to streamers with a certain follower count |
| YouTube | Minimum subscribers, minimum account age | Verify content creators |
| Minimum karma, minimum account age | Verify active Reddit users | |
| Spotify | Minimum followers, minimum account age | Verify music artists or podcasters |
| eBay | Minimum feedback score, minimum account age | Verify sellers or buyers |
| TikTok | Minimum followers, minimum account age | Verify TikTok creators |
| Minimum account age | Verify real identity with a Facebook account |
Linked Roles offer a powerful way to automate role assignment based on external account verification. By setting up a Linked Role with a specific Connection type and criteria, you can ensure that only qualified members receive access to private channels or special privileges. Remember to instruct members to link their accounts and use the /linked-roles command to claim the role. For advanced setups, combine multiple Linked Roles with different Connection types to create tiered access levels.