# Create a suggestions channel

> Set up a Discord suggestions channel with Aethor

Use these steps to create a suggestion channel and configure its staff workflow.

## Setup checklist

1. [Add Aethor to the server](#1-add-aethor-to-the-server).
2. [Create or choose a text channel](#2-create-or-choose-a-text-channel).
3. [Run the setup command](#3-run-the-setup-command).
4. [Configure the workflow](#4-configure-the-workflow).
5. [Choose how members submit](#5-choose-how-members-submit).

## 1. Add Aethor to the server

[Add Aethor to Discord](/invite), choose the server, and approve the requested permissions. You need permission to manage the server's Aethor integration and channels.

## 2. Create or choose a text channel

Create a channel such as `#suggestions`. Aethor needs to be able to view it, send messages, embed links, read message history, manage messages, manage threads, send messages in threads, and pin messages.

## 3. Run the setup command

Pass the channel to `/setup create`:

<Cmd cmd="/setup create suggestions:#suggestions" />

> [!TIP]
> Aethor posts a member guide and a locked example with the default workflow. You can leave the settings alone for a small server and return to them later with `/setup modify`.

Aethor creates the setup and opens a private dashboard. It also posts a pinned member guide and a locked example suggestion in the channel. The example is a preview, not a stored suggestion.

## 4. Configure the workflow

The first setup works with its defaults. Use the dashboard to add or change:

- Accepted, Denied, Planned, Implemented and Duplicate destination channels
- custom state labels and colors
- vote emojis
- automatic threads or a thread button
- state-history display
- a media channel for re-hosting image and video attachments
- a log channel
- a review queue and submission controls

You can reopen the dashboard later with `/setup modify`.

## 5. Choose how members submit

Members can type a normal message in the configured channel or run `/suggest`. To post a persistent button that opens the same suggestion modal, use:

<Cmd cmd="/setup submit-button channel:#suggestions" />

All entry points use the same validation, review queue, media handling and suggestion numbering.

## Verify the setup

Submit a short test idea. Aethor should remove the original message and post a suggestion card with the author, suggestion number and vote controls. If nothing happens, check that:

- the channel belongs to the selected setup
- Aethor can view and manage messages there
- the member is not blacklisted
- a configured cooldown, membership-age, duplicate or maximum-open limit is not blocking the submission
- the optional review queue has a valid queue channel

## Limits and deletion

- Free servers can create 1 suggestion setup; Premium servers can create up to 5.
- `/setup delete` deletes the selected setup and its stored suggestions. There is no undo.
- A media channel needs View Channel, Send Messages, Attach Files and Manage Webhooks.

## Next steps

- [Enable suggestion threads](/docs/suggestions/enable-suggestion-threads) for discussion attached to each idea.
- [Configure the review queue](/docs/suggestions/review-queue) if staff should approve ideas before publication.
- [Approve and resolve suggestions](/docs/suggestions/approve-suggestions) when you are ready to run the staff workflow.