JavaDemoBot | How to create an Java Discord Bot with JDA

This guide uses Maven and IntelliJ.

Summary

1. Installation

2. Configuration

3. Library set up

4. Example Bot

5. Building the .jar with Maven only!

6. Useful links

Installation

» Download an IDE of your choice, preferably IntelliJ you can download it here.

» Finish installing the programme to your pc and open it when you are done.

Configuration

» Make sure you have java set up on your device. If you don't, download it here.

» Create a new project, select your build tool, maven is recommended for this guide.

» Select the correct JDK version for your project.

» When you are done click create.

Library set up

» Use Maven or Gradle to install the libraries.

» Be sure to replace the VERSION key below with the version shown above!

Maven

<dependency>
    <groupId>net.dv8tion</groupId>
    <artifactId>JDA</artifactId>
    <version>VERSION</version>
</dependency>

Maven without Audio

<dependency>
    <groupId>net.dv8tion</groupId>
    <artifactId>JDA</artifactId>
    <version>VERSION</version>
    <exclusions>
        <exclusion>
            <groupId>club.minnced</groupId>
            <artifactId>opus-java</artifactId>
        </exclusion>
    </exclusions>
</dependency>

Gradle

repositories {
    mavenCentral()
}

dependencies {
    //Change 'implementation' to 'compile' in old Gradle versions
    implementation("net.dv8tion:JDA:VERSION")
}

Gradle without Audio

dependencies {
    //Change 'implementation' to 'compile' in old Gradle versions
    implementation("net.dv8tion:JDA:VERSION") {
        exclude module: 'opus-java'
    }
}

Example Bot

» Find the folder in your project src/java/main.

» Create a new class and name it what ever you want. This will be used to register the bot.

This it what it should first look like

public class DemoBot {
    
}

» Now add this code to the class.

import net.dv8tion.jda.api.JDA;
import net.dv8tion.jda.api.JDABuilder;
import net.dv8tion.jda.api.entities.Activity;
import javax.security.auth.login.LoginException;

public class JavaDemoBot {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        JDA jda = null;
        //Creates the bot with the bot token and gateway intents.
        JDABuilder builder = JDABuilder.create("token", GatewayIntents);
        //Sets the activity of the bot.
        builder.setActivity(Activity.playing("Demo Bot"));
        //Registers the bot. 
        try {
            jda = builder.build();
        } catch (LoginException e) {
            e.printStackTrace();
        }
    }
}

» Now make a new class in the same folder. This will be used to listen for events.

import net.dv8tion.jda.api.events.interaction.command.SlashCommandInteractionEvent;
import net.dv8tion.jda.api.events.message.MessageReceivedEvent;
import net.dv8tion.jda.api.hooks.ListenerAdapter;
import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;

public class DemoCommand extends ListenerAdapter {
    //Text Command
    @Override
    public void onMessageReceived(@NotNull MessageReceivedEvent event) {
        if(event.getMessage().equals("ping")){
            event.getChannel().sendMessage("pong!").queue();
        }
    }
    
    //Slash Command
    @Override
    public void onSlashCommandInteraction(@NotNull SlashCommandInteractionEvent event) {
        if(event.getName().equals("png")){
            event.reply("pong!").queue();
        }
    }
}

» To register the events go back to your main class and replace the code with this.

        //Adds the classes that will listen for events.
        //Add this before you try build the builder.
        builder.addEventListeners(new DemoComnmands());
        
        //Put the new code above or below this.
        try {
            jda = builder.build();
        } catch (LoginException e) {
            e.printStackTrace();
        }
        
        //Waits until the bot is done loading then uploads the commands.
        jda.awaitReady();
        jda.upsertCommand(Commands.slash("ping","pong!")).queue();
    }
}

Building the jar

» Add this to your pom.xml

    <build>
        <plugins>
            <plugin>
                <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
                <artifactId>maven-shade-plugin</artifactId>
                <version>3.2.4</version>
                <executions>
                    <execution>
                        <goals>
                            <goal>shade</goal>
                        </goals>
                        <configuration>
                            <shadedArtifactAttached>true</shadedArtifactAttached>
                            <transformers>
                                <transformer implementation=
                                                     "org.apache.maven.plugins.shade.resource.ManifestResourceTransformer">
                                    <mainClass>Put your main class here e.g JavaDemoBot</mainClass>
                                </transformer>
                            </transformers>
                        </configuration>
                    </execution>
                </executions>
            </plugin>
        </plugins>
    </build>

» Next go to the right side of your screen and click "Maven".

» Expand Lifecycle and doubleclick package.

» The file will be compiled to /target in your project folder.

» Now you can upload the file that contains "shaded" the Karlo Hosting Panel.

Useful links

» JDA Github

» JDA Github Wiki

» JDA Wiki

» JDA Java Docs