Paid Membership server template
For paid communities sold through Whop, LaunchPass, Patreon or Server Subscriptions. Built around a free lobby and paid tiers so non-members can see what they're missing.
- Monthly paid communities
- Free + paid tier funnels
- Trading, investing, career and hobby memberships
Channels and categories
LOBBY (FREE)
- # welcome text
What members get and how to join.
Access: Everyone can read; only Staff can post
- # rules text
Rules and refund policy summary.
Access: Everyone can read; only Staff can post
- # join-membership text
How to subscribe and get your role. Link to checkout.
Access: Everyone can read; only Staff can post
- # free-chat text
Chat with the community before you join.
Access: Members can read and post
- # sample-content text
A taste of the members area.
Access: Everyone can read; only Staff can post
MEMBERS
- 📣 member-announcements announcement
Members-only updates.
Access: Member role: read; Staff posts
- # member-chat text
Main members discussion.
Access: Member role only
- 💬 ask-the-host forum
Questions for the host. Tags: Answered, Weekly Q&A.
Access: Member role only
- # resources text
Members library.
Access: Member role: read; Staff posts
- 🔊 member-lounge voice
Hang out.
Access: Member role only
VIP
- # vip-chat text
Higher-tier members.
Access: VIP role only
- 🔊 vip-calls voice
Small-group calls.
Access: VIP role only
SUPPORT
- # billing-help text
Billing questions open a private ticket.
Access: Everyone can read; ticket panel only
STAFF
- # staff text
Team chat.
Access: Hidden from everyone except Staff
- # mod-log text
AutoMod and paywall-bot logs (role added/removed).
Access: Hidden from everyone except Staff
Roles and permissions
| Role (highest first) | Purpose | Key permissions | Assigned by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admin | Owner | Administrator | Owner |
| Paywall bot | Role managed by Whop / LaunchPass / Patreon bot | Manage Roles | Created when the bot is invited; must sit above Member and VIP |
| Staff | Moderators | Manage Messages, Timeout Members, Kick Members, View Audit Log | Admin |
| VIP | Top tier | View VIP + MEMBERS | Paywall bot on payment |
| Member | Paid tier | View MEMBERS | Paywall bot on payment; removed when payment stops |
| Free | Joined the lobby | View LOBBY | Onboarding |
- Gate content with roles, never with secret invite links: invites can be shared, roles can be revoked.
- @everyone: deny View Channel on MEMBERS, VIP and STAFF categories.
- The paywall bot's role must be above Member and VIP, or it can't add or remove them.
- Give VIP the Member role too (the paywall tool can grant both) so you only set MEMBERS permissions once.
- Members-only content should not be posted where Free can see it, including threads started in lobby channels.
Onboarding questions
Are you already a member? (required, pick one)
- • Yes, I paid → Points to #join-membership to connect your account (role comes from the paywall bot)
- • Not yet, just looking → Free role
What do you want most from the community? (optional, pick any)
- • Learning → Highlights #sample-content
- • Networking → Highlights #free-chat
- • Live sessions → Live pings role (optional)
Onboarding needs Community enabled. Never grant paid roles from an onboarding answer: anyone can pick any answer. See onboarding setup.
AutoMod rules
| Rule | Setting | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Block Mention Spam | On. Start with a low mention limit per message (Discord lets you choose the number) and enable raid protection. | Block message + send alert to #mod-log + timeout member |
| Block Suspected Spam Content | On for all channels. | Block message + send alert to #mod-log |
| Block Commonly Flagged Words | Enable the preset lists (insults and slurs, sexual content, severe profanity) that match your audience. | Block message with a short custom explanation |
| Custom keyword rule: scams | Keywords such as *free nitro*, *steam gift*, *airdrop*, *crypto giveaway*, *dm me for*. Exempt Staff. | Block message + alert #mod-log + timeout member |
| Member profile filter | Block the same scam terms plus impersonation patterns like *admin*, *support team*, *moderator* in usernames and nicknames. | Block member from interacting until they change their name |
| Custom keyword rule: invite links | Block *discord.gg/* and *discord.com/invite* outside staff. Exempt Staff. | Block message + alert #mod-log |
| Custom keyword rule: content leaks | Block known leak/share phrases like *mega.nz*, *drive.google.com/drive/folders* in member channels if you sell downloadable content. | Block message + alert #mod-log |
Configure in Server Settings > Safety Setup > AutoMod. AutoMod guide.
Recommended bots and why
Whop or LaunchPass recommended
Paywall: charge and grant/revoke roles
Both sell access and add or remove a Discord role automatically when a payment starts or stops. Compare fees on their official pricing pages.
Ticket Tool recommended
Private support tickets
A button panel that opens a private channel between a member and staff, with transcripts. Set up from its web dashboard.
Carl-bot recommended
Role menus, logging, tags
Reliable reaction/button role menus for anything Onboarding doesn't cover, detailed mod logs, and saved 'tags' for answers you type every week.
Wick optional
Anti-raid and anti-nuke
Extra protection for public or fast-growing servers: raid detection and limits on destructive admin actions.
Bot features and premium plans change; check each bot's site. Grant only the permissions a bot asks for, never Administrator.
Welcome messages
#welcome
Welcome to {Community name}.
**Free lobby:** say hi in #free-chat and see #sample-content.
**Members get:** {benefit 1}, {benefit 2}, {benefit 3}.
**Join:** {checkout link}. After paying, connect your Discord account in the checkout and your Member role appears automatically.
Billing question? Use #billing-help (it's private).#member-chat (first pinned message)
You're in. Start here: 1) read #resources, 2) post your goal for this month, 3) add the next live call to your calendar from the Events list.
Setup checklist
Before you start
- ☐ Pick a payment tool (Server Subscriptions, Whop, LaunchPass, Patreon) and read its current fees
- ☐ Write your refund and cancellation policy
Structure
- ☐ Create roles; put the paywall bot's role above Member and VIP
- ☐ Create categories; deny @everyone on paid categories
- ☐ Write #join-membership with the checkout link
Community features
- ☐ Enable Community
- ☐ Onboarding with the 'already a member?' question
- ☐ AutoMod including the leak rule
Bots and automation
- ☐ Connect the paywall tool and map products to roles
- ☐ Test: buy with a test card or 100% coupon, confirm role appears, cancel, confirm role disappears
- ☐ Ticket Tool panel in #billing-help
Launch
- ☐ Post sample content in the lobby
- ☐ Announce launch pricing in your email list and socials
- ☐ Check #mod-log for role add/remove events in week one
Guides for this setup
Get the Paid Membership pack
Ready-to-import pack for $49, or we build it in your server for $299.