---
title: "PayBot Setup Guide - Connect Stripe and Configure Your Server"
description: "Step-by-step guide to connect your Stripe account, verify the connection, and configure PayBot for your Discord server. Complete setup in under 5 minutes."
canonical: https://paybotapp.com/docs/setup/
source: /docs/setup/
---

[Home](https://paybotapp.com/) / [Docs](https://paybotapp.com/docs/) / Setup Guide

# PayBot Setup Guide

Connect Stripe, verify your setup, and start monetizing your Discord server in under 5 minutes.

## Table of Contents

-   [Prerequisites](#prerequisites)
-   [Step 1: Connect Your Stripe Account](#step-1-stripe)
-   [Step 2: Verify Connection](#step-2-verify)
-   [Step 3: Understand PayBot Plans](#step-3-plans)
-   [Step 4: Configure Bot Permissions](#step-4-permissions)
-   [Step 5: Test Your Setup](#step-5-test)
-   [Common Issues & Solutions](#troubleshooting)

![PayBot setup dashboard showing connected Stripe account and plan details](https://paybotapp.com/images/docs/embed-setup.png)

## Prerequisites

Before you begin the setup process, ensure you have the following:

👤

#### Administrator Permissions

You must have Administrator permissions in your Discord server to run the `/setup` command.

💳

#### Stripe Account

An active Stripe account is required. [Create one for free](https://stripe.com) if needed.

🤖

#### Bot Permissions

PayBot needs "Manage Roles" permission to automatically assign membership roles to subscribers.

## Step 1: Connect Your Stripe Account

Securely connect your Stripe account to PayBot using Discord's OAuth flow.

1

### Run the Setup Command

In your Discord server, type `/setup` in any channel where PayBot has permission to read messages.

`/setup`

2

### Click "Connect Stripe Account"

You'll see a "Connect Stripe Account" button in the setup interface. Click this button to begin the OAuth process.

**Note:** This redirects you to Stripe's secure authorization page. PayBot only requests access to create payment links and manage subscriptions on your behalf.

3

### Authorize PayBot

On Stripe's page, review the permissions and click "Authorize" to grant PayBot access.

**Security Note:** PayBot uses Stripe Connect's secure OAuth flow. Your API keys are never shared - Stripe provides secure access tokens instead.

4

### Return to Discord

After authorization, you'll be redirected back to Discord. The setup interface will update to show your connected Stripe account.

## Step 2: Verify Connection

Verify that your Stripe integration is working properly.

1

### Click "Verify Connection"

In the `/setup` interface, click the "🔍 Verify Connection" button to test your Stripe integration.

2

### Check Connection Status

PayBot will attempt to connect to your Stripe account. You'll see one of these results:

-   **✅ Connected:** Your Stripe account ID will be displayed with available features
-   **❌ Connection Failed:** Check your Stripe dashboard for errors or try reconnecting

#### Common Verification Issues

-   **Stripe Account Restricted:** Complete Stripe's verification process in your Stripe dashboard
-   **OAuth Authorization Failed:** Try the connection process again, ensuring you complete the full OAuth flow

## Step 3: Understand PayBot Plans

PayBot offers five subscription tiers with different limits and features.

### Free

$0/month

-   ✅ Up to 3 subscribers
-   ✅ Storefront & payment links
-   ✅ Automatic role assignment
-   ❌ No one-time payments

**Best for:** Small communities testing PayBot

Most Popular

### Small

$9/month

-   ✅ Up to 50 subscribers
-   ✅ All Free features
-   ✅ Subscriber management dashboard
-   ✅ Automations (Zapier/Make/n8n)
-   ✅ Analytics & reporting
-   ❌ No one-time payments

**Best for:** Communities ready to grow

### Large

$89/month

-   ✅ Up to 500 subscribers
-   ✅ All Small features
-   ✅ One-time payment options
-   ✅ Affiliate program
-   ✅ Import from Stripe (link existing products)
-   ✅ Advanced analytics

**Best for:** Large communities with serious monetization

### Ultra

$399/month

-   ✅ Unlimited subscribers
-   ✅ All Large features
-   ✅ Team payroll for community managers
-   ✅ Priority support
-   ✅ Custom feature requests

**Best for:** Massive communities at scale

#### How to Upgrade Your Plan

1.  In `/setup`, click "Upgrade PayBot Plan"
2.  Select your desired plan (Small, Large, or Ultra)
3.  Complete payment on Stripe's secure checkout page
4.  Your plan updates automatically after successful payment

**Note:** Plan changes are prorated - you'll only pay the difference for the remaining time in your billing cycle.

## Step 4: Configure Bot Permissions

Proper Discord permissions are crucial for PayBot to function correctly.

#### Required Permissions

-   Manage Roles - For automatic role assignment
-   Send Messages - To respond to commands
-   Use Slash Commands - For /setup and /subscription
-   Embed Links - For rich embeds in responses

#### Role Hierarchy Setup

**Critical:** PayBot's role must be positioned above all membership roles in your server's role hierarchy.

1.  Go to **Server Settings > Roles**
2.  Find PayBot's role in the list
3.  Drag PayBot's role above your membership roles
4.  Ensure: `PayBot > Premium Role > Basic Role > @everyone`

**⚠️ Important:** If PayBot's role is below membership roles, it cannot assign them to users.

## Step 5: Test Your Setup

Before launching to your community, test that everything works correctly.

1

### Create a Test Membership Tier

Create a low-cost test tier (e.g., $1.00) that you can use for testing.

2

### Test Role Assignment

Have a friend or alt account subscribe and verify the role is assigned correctly.

3

### Test Cancellation

Test the cancellation flow to ensure roles are removed properly.

4

### Verify Stripe Integration

Check your Stripe dashboard to confirm payments are being recorded correctly.

#### Pre-Launch Checklist

-   Stripe account connected and verified
-   Bot permissions configured correctly
-   Role hierarchy set up properly
-   Test payment completed successfully
-   Membership tiers created and configured
-   Community notified about new payment system

## Common Issues & Solutions

### ❌ Stripe Connection Failed

#### Possible Causes:

-   Stripe account is restricted or requires verification
-   OAuth authorization was cancelled or failed
-   Network connectivity issues

#### Solutions:

1.  Check your Stripe dashboard for restrictions
2.  Try the connection process again
3.  Contact Stripe support if account is restricted

### ❌ Roles Not Being Assigned

#### Possible Causes:

-   PayBot's role is below membership roles in hierarchy
-   Bot lacks "Manage Roles" permission
-   Role no longer exists or was deleted

#### Solutions:

1.  Move PayBot above membership roles in Server Settings
2.  Ensure PayBot has "Manage Roles" permission
3.  Recreate the role if it was deleted

### ❌ Payment Button Not Working

#### Possible Causes:

-   Stripe account not properly connected
-   Server reached subscriber limit for current plan
-   Membership tier is archived or inactive

#### Solutions:

1.  Use `/setup` and click "🔍 Verify Connection"
2.  Check your current plan limits in `/setup`
3.  Ensure the membership tier is not archived

### ❌ Can't Create One-Time Payments

#### Possible Causes:

-   Not subscribed to Large plan ($89/month)
-   Feature not enabled for your account

#### Solutions:

1.  Upgrade to Large plan using `/setup`
2.  Contact support if you have Large plan but feature isn't available

#### Need More Help?

If you're still having issues after trying these solutions:

-   Check the [Troubleshooting Guide](https://paybotapp.com/docs/troubleshooting/) for detailed solutions
-   Join our Discord support server for community help
-   Contact our support team for personalized assistance

## What's Next?

Now that PayBot is connected, explore the features available on your plan:

### Core Features (All Plans)

-   [Create Membership Tiers](https://paybotapp.com/docs/membership-tiers/) — Set up recurring and one-time pricing
-   [Build Your Storefront](https://paybotapp.com/docs/link-in-bio/) — Customizable portal page for your community
-   [Share Payment Links](https://paybotapp.com/docs/payment-links/) — Direct checkout URLs for each tier
-   [Configure Roles](https://paybotapp.com/docs/role-management/) — Automatic Discord role assignment
-   [Organize Tier Groups](https://paybotapp.com/docs/tier-groups/) — Enable seamless upgrades/downgrades
-   [Set Up Welcome DMs](https://paybotapp.com/docs/onboarding-dms/) — Custom messages for new subscribers
-   [Gift Free Time](https://paybotapp.com/docs/gift-free-time/) — Reward subscribers with free months
-   [User Data & Privacy](https://paybotapp.com/docs/user-data-privacy/) — GDPR-compliant data management

### Advanced Features

-   [Manage Subscriptions](https://paybotapp.com/docs/subscription-management/) — Monitor and manage your subscribers
-   [Set Up Automations](https://paybotapp.com/docs/automations/) — Webhooks for Zapier, Make, n8n (Small+)
-   [Launch Affiliates](https://paybotapp.com/docs/affiliate-program/) — Reward referrals with commissions (Large+)

[Back to Docs](https://paybotapp.com/docs/) [Creating Membership Tiers](https://paybotapp.com/docs/membership-tiers/)