# How to host a discord.js bot Hosting a discord.js bot means running `node index.js` somewhere that never turns off. HostDC does that on Node.js 20 or 22, with a free plan that gives a 256 MB RAM pool, 0.5 CPU and 512 MB storage. ## 1. Prepare the project ``` package.json package-lock.json index.js ``` Commit the lockfile. We then install exactly what you tested. Without one, the resolved tree can drift between deploys. ```js const { Client, GatewayIntentBits } = require('discord.js'); const client = new Client({ intents: [GatewayIntentBits.Guilds] }); client.once('clientReady', () => console.log(`Logged in as ${client.user.tag}`)); client.login(process.env.DISCORD_TOKEN); ``` ## 2. Upload and deploy Drop a zip, paste a GitHub URL, or write it in the editor. On deploy we read the lockfile and install every package through our proxy, which checks each version against the known-malicious list and its checksum. Install scripts never run. ## 3. Add the token Paste it on the Secrets tab, away from your source. It arrives as `process.env.DISCORD_TOKEN`. ## 4. Register your slash commands Run your registration script locally once, or do it on boot from your own code. Outbound calls to Discord are allowed from the sandbox, so `REST.put(Routes.applicationCommands(...))` works. ## 5. Keep it online Auto-restart handles crashes. You handle reactivation on Free, weekly. Paid plans (Mini, Lite, Pro and Max) never need it. The [pricing page](/pricing) has the rest. ## Related - [Host a discord.js bot](/host/discord-js) - [Deploy from GitHub](/guides/deploy-from-github) ## FAQ ### `npm ci` fails on one package The build log names it and says why: a known-malicious version, a checksum mismatch, or a file over the size limit. Pin another version or remove it. Nothing installs at runtime, so you have to fix this before the deploy. ### Can I use a `.env` file? You can, but variables from the Secrets tab are already in `process.env` and are stored encrypted. A `.env` file sits in your project as plain text. ### My bot answers slowly Check the CPU line on the Usage tab. Half a CPU is plenty for a gateway bot, but heavy image or audio work will not fit.