Discord bots can add powerful features to your server, but finding and using those features quickly can sometimes be confusing. Context menu commands let you run bot actions directly from a message or a user profile without typing any slash commands or prefixes. This article explains what bot context menu commands are, how to set them up, and how to use them on both messages and users. You will learn the exact steps to trigger these commands and how to manage them as a server administrator.
Key Takeaways: Using Bot Context Menu Commands in Discord
- Right-click a message or user: Opens the context menu where bot commands appear under Apps.
- Server Settings > Integrations > Bots and Apps: Lets server admins enable or disable specific context menu commands for each bot.
- App directory or bot website: Use these to find bots that offer context menu commands for moderation, translation, or utility tasks.
What Are Bot Context Menu Commands?
Discord introduced context menu commands as part of its slash command system. These commands appear when you right-click on a message or a user. They are also called message commands and user commands. Unlike traditional bot commands that require typing !command or /command, context menu commands are triggered through the app menu that appears on right-click.
Message context menu commands act on the specific message you right-clicked. For example, a moderation bot might offer a command to delete that message or report it. User context menu commands act on the user whose profile you right-clicked. A bot might offer a command to view that user’s warning history or send a private note.
Bots must be programmed to support these commands. Not every bot includes them. When a bot does support them, the commands appear automatically once the bot is added to your server and has the necessary permissions.
Prerequisites for Using Context Menu Commands
Before you can use bot context menu commands, you need the following:
- A Discord server where you have permission to add bots. This usually requires the Manage Server permission.
- A bot that supports message or user context menu commands. Check the bot’s documentation or app directory listing.
- The bot must have the correct permissions in your server. For example, a moderation bot needs the Manage Messages permission to delete messages.
How to Use Bot Context Menu Commands on Messages
Using a message context menu command is straightforward. Follow these steps:
- Right-click the target message
Hover your mouse over the message you want to act on. Right-click it. A context menu appears with several options. - Hover over or click Apps
In the context menu, look for the Apps option. Click it or hover over it to expand the list of available bot commands that apply to that message. - Select the bot command
From the expanded list, click the command you want to run. For example, if you have a translation bot, you might see Translate to English. Click it. - Wait for the bot to respond
The bot will process the command and usually reply in the same channel or send a direct message. The exact response depends on the bot’s design.
How to Use Bot Context Menu Commands on Users
User context menu commands work similarly but target a user instead of a message.
- Right-click the user’s name or avatar
Find the user in the member list, in a chat message, or in a voice channel. Right-click their name or avatar. A context menu appears. - Hover over or click Apps
As with message commands, locate the Apps option in the context menu and click or hover to expand it. - Select the user command
Click the command you want to run. For example, a moderation bot might offer Warn User or View Warnings. Click it. - Wait for the bot to respond
The bot will execute the command and show the result in the channel or via direct message.
How Server Administrators Can Manage Context Menu Commands
If you are a server administrator, you can control which context menu commands are available to members. This is useful for hiding commands that are only for moderators or for disabling commands that cause clutter.
- Open Server Settings
Click the server name at the top-left of your Discord client. From the dropdown menu, select Server Settings. - Navigate to Integrations
In the left sidebar, click Integrations. This page shows all bots and webhooks added to your server. - Select the bot you want to manage
Under Bots and Apps, find the bot whose context menu commands you want to change. Click Manage. - Scroll to the Commands section
On the bot’s management page, scroll down to the Commands section. Here you will see every command the bot offers, including context menu commands. - Enable or disable specific commands
Each command has a toggle switch. Click the switch to enable or disable that command. Disabled commands will not appear in any member’s context menu. - Set command permissions
Below each command, you can also set which roles can use it. Click the dropdown and select roles. Only members with those roles will see the command in their context menu.
Common Issues and Limitations
Context Menu Commands Do Not Appear
If you right-click a message or user and do not see the Apps option or any bot commands, check the following:
- The bot may not support context menu commands. Check the bot’s documentation.
- The bot may be offline or experiencing an outage.
- You may not have permission to use the command. Ask a server administrator to check the command’s role restrictions.
- The command may be disabled by the server administrator. Ask them to enable it.
Bot Does Not Respond After Running a Context Menu Command
When a bot does not respond, it may be because the bot lacks the necessary permissions to perform the action. For example, a moderation bot cannot delete a message if it does not have the Manage Messages permission. Verify the bot’s role permissions in Server Settings > Roles. Also check if the bot is rate-limited or if the command requires a specific channel type, such as a text channel.
Context Menu Commands Show for Everyone but Should Be Restricted
If you want some commands to be available only to moderators, you must set command permissions in the Integrations page. Follow the steps in the previous section to assign roles to each command. Note that some bots may also have their own permission system inside the bot’s dashboard. Check the bot’s website for advanced settings.
Message Commands vs User Commands: Key Differences
| Item | Message Context Menu Commands | User Context Menu Commands |
|---|---|---|
| Activation method | Right-click on a message | Right-click on a user name or avatar |
| Target | The specific message you right-clicked | The user whose profile you right-clicked |
| Common use cases | Translate, delete, report, pin, or copy message content | Warn, mute, kick, view user info, or send a private note |
| Bot permission needed | Depends on action; often Read Messages and Send Messages | Depends on action; often Read Members and Moderate Members |
| Example command name | Translate to Spanish | View Warnings for @User |
Both command types appear in the same Apps menu but are context-sensitive. Discord automatically shows only the commands that apply to the item you right-clicked. If a bot offers both message and user commands, you will see the relevant ones when you right-click a message versus when you right-click a user.
Bot context menu commands save time by removing the need to remember slash command names or bot prefixes. They also reduce clutter in chat because the command is triggered from the menu rather than typed in the message box. Server administrators can fine-tune which commands appear and who can use them, making the system flexible for different server roles.