Discord server backup: copy and restore channels, roles and settings

Why back up a Discord server

Nobody plans on losing their server, yet it happens fast

• A raid deletes channels and roles in seconds
• A hijacked admin account or an angry mod can break everything
• A restructuring that goes badly can be undone with a restore
• You can duplicate a proven structure onto a new server

What Discord offers without a bot

Discord lets you duplicate a server as a template, but a template keeps no messages, no members and no bot settings, and can’t be restored onto an existing server. There is no version history. For a real backup you need a bot that records the server’s state

Creating a backup with Kotbo

The command is reserved for administrators. It runs from Discord, or from the Backups page of dash.kotbo.fr

1. 1

   Start the backup

   With /backup create, or the New backup button in the dashboard. Without a name, the backup is named after the server and the date

2. 2

   Choose what’s included

   Roles, channels, emojis, stickers, members and Kotbo’s configuration (modules, staff, forms…) are included by default. Messages are not, you can add them

3. 3

   Wait for it to finish

   The dashboard follows the steps: roles and channels, permissions and emojis, saving. Processing runs in the background

4. 4

   Check the list

   Each backup shows how many roles, channels, emojis, stickers and members it holds

Backup commands

All of them require the administrator permission

/backup create nom:<name> description:<text>

Creates a backup. Extra options to include or skip messages, members, roles, channels, emojis, stickers and the Kotbo configuration

/backup list

Lists the server’s backups

/backup restore id:<id> mode_complet:<yes or no>

Restores a backup. Restoring is selective by default, mode_complet asks for a full restore

/backup export id:<id>

Exports a backup as a JSON file

/backup import fichier:<file>

Imports a backup from a JSON file, with an optional name

/backup delete id:<id>

Deletes a backup

Restoring: what to know before you click

A restore applies the saved roles, channels and permissions, and overwrites the server’s current configuration with the backup’s data. It can’t be undone, so take a backup of the current state first if you’re unsure. Also move Kotbo’s role to the top of the role list: it can only restore what sits below it

Exporting, importing, duplicating

The JSON format serves three purposes

• Keep a copy outside Kotbo

  Export the backup and file it with your archives

• Move a server

  Import the file on another server to rebuild the same structure there

• Share a template

  A file can be the starting point for a new server in your community

How many backups, and how often

Each server can keep up to 3 backups at a time. Delete the oldest to create a new one. Make one before every big structure change (a new category, a role overhaul), and export the latest to JSON regularly so you don’t depend on the limit