Guide
Everything you need to know to get the most out of Michi-Niwa.
🚀 Getting Started
1. Login with Discord
Click "Login" in the top navigation. You'll be redirected to Discord to authorize Michi-Niwa. We only request the permissions needed to list your servers — we never read your messages.
2. Add the bot to your server
From the Dashboard or the landing page, click "Add Bot to Server". Select the Discord server you want to manage. The bot needs Administrator permission to create channels, roles, and configure AutoMod.
3. Choose your path
You have two main options: Audit an existing server (analyze and improve what you have) or Create a new server structure from scratch using the Wizard.
🔍 Auditing Your Server
What the audit analyzes
The audit scans 6 dimensions: Channels (dead channels, organization), Roles (unused, permissions), Moderation (AutoMod config), Onboarding (welcome flow), Bots (redundancies among 1400+ known bots), and Security (verification level, 2FA, content filter).
Understanding your score
Each dimension is scored 0-100. Green (80+) = excellent, Yellow (60-79) = good but improvable, Orange (40-59) = needs attention, Red (below 40) = critical. The global score is a weighted average.
Applying suggestions
Suggestions marked "auto" can be applied with one click — Michi-Niwa creates a backup first, then makes the change via Discord's API. Suggestions marked "manual" require you to act (like removing a bot). Breaking changes are flagged in red.
Pro tip: Run audits regularly
Servers evolve. Channels go inactive, new bots get added, permissions drift. Run an audit monthly to keep your server clean. Free tier gets 2/month, Pro gets 10.
🌱 Creating a Server with the Wizard
The 3-layer approach: POUR QUOI
The wizard follows the Michi-no-Kata methodology. Layer 1 (Why): your mission, the feeling you want, your unique angle, your server's essence. Layer 2 (Who): your audience, size, vibe, languages. Layer 3 (How): community type, features, moderation level, growth plan.
Don't overthink it
You can skip questions with "I don't know" — the wizard will use sensible defaults. You can always come back and run a new wizard later. The Blueprint is additive: it creates new channels and roles without deleting existing ones.
Template vs AI generation
Without an API key, the wizard maps your answers to one of 9 community archetypes (gaming, creator, education, etc.) and generates a structure from templates. With a DeepSeek or OpenAI API key (set in Settings), the AI reads your exact words and creates a fully custom Blueprint — unique channel names, roles, and structure tailored to your vision.
Deploying your Blueprint
After generation, review the preview (categories, channels, roles, AutoMod rules). Then select a server and click Deploy. The bot will create everything in order: roles first, then categories, then channels, then AutoMod rules. It takes about 30 seconds for a typical server.
🛡️ Moderation & Safety
Anti-spam (always active)
The bot detects message floods (5+ messages in 10 seconds), duplicate messages, mention spam (5+ mentions), link spam, and excessive CAPS. Low severity = delete only. Medium = 5 minute timeout. High = 30 minute timeout.
Anti-raid (always active)
When 8+ users join within 30 seconds (especially new accounts), the bot raises the verification level to maximum, times out suspicious users for 1 hour, and alerts in the system channel. The lockdown auto-lifts after 10 minutes.
Slash commands for mods
Use /mod warn, /mod timeout, /mod kick, or /mod ban directly in Discord. All actions are logged. The warned user receives a DM with the reason.
Mod logs
All moderation actions are logged and viewable on the web dashboard at /guilds/[id]/moderation. Free tier sees 7 days of logs, Pro sees 90 days, Agency sees everything.
💡 Server Best Practices
Start small, grow intentionally
Begin with 5-8 channels. Add more only when conversations naturally split. A server with 30 empty channels feels dead. A server with 5 active channels feels alive.
Set up a Staff area from day 1
Every server needs a private Staff category with mod-chat, mod-log, and staff-voice. The Wizard adds this automatically. Don't skip it — mod discussions in DMs fragment your team.
Use progressive disclosure
Don't show all channels to new members. Use onboarding questions to let members self-select interests, and only show relevant channels. This prevents overwhelm and increases engagement.
Role hierarchy matters
Follow this order: Owner → Admin → Head Mod → Moderator → Bot roles (scoped, never admin) → VIP/Booster → Activity roles → Interest roles → @everyone (minimal permissions).
One bot per function
Don't install 3 moderation bots. Pick one. Michi-Niwa's audit detects redundant bots — if two bots do the same thing, you're wasting permissions and creating confusion.
Plan for your absence
What happens when you're offline for a week? Make sure AutoMod is configured, you have at least one trusted moderator, and the bot handles the basics. A server that dies when the owner is gone has a single point of failure.
💎 Free vs Pro vs Agency
Free — great to get started
1 server, full Wizard, deploy, basic moderation, 2 audits/month, 7-day mod logs. Enough to build and manage a small community.
Pro (12€/mo) — for serious builders
3 servers, 10 audits/month, 90-day mod logs, anti-raid, apply suggestions, backup & restore, choose your AI provider, advanced analytics. Best value for growing communities.
Agency (39€/mo) — unlimited everything
Unlimited servers, unlimited audits, unlimited mod logs, custom YAML Blueprints, API access, priority support. For professionals managing multiple communities.
Ready to start?
Audit your existing server or create a new one from scratch.