Installation

Host your Discord bot for free on FPS.ms with Python or Node.js. Upload your code, set up dependencies, and your bot runs 24/7 — no credit card required. This guide walks you through the full setup for both languages.

Prerequisites

1. An FPS.ms account — create your first server and select a Discord bot package (Python or Node.js)
2. A Discord bot token — follow our getting your bot token guide if you don't have one yet
3. Your bot code ready to upload

Python setup

1. Create your main file

import os
from dotenv import load_dotenv
import discord
load_dotenv()

class MyClient(discord.Client):
    async def on_ready(self):
        print(f'Logged on as {self.user}!')

    async def on_message(self, message):
        if message.author == self.user:
            return
        print(f'Message from {message.author}: {message.content}')

intents = discord.Intents.default()
intents.message_content = True

client = MyClient(intents=intents)
client.run(os.environ['BOT_TOKEN'])

2. Add your dependencies

discord.py
python-dotenv

3. Upload and start

1. Upload app.py and requirements.txt to your server via the Files tab in the panel or through SFTP
2. Create a .env file with your bot token — see the environment variables guide
3. Click Start on the Console tab

Node.js setup

Upload methods

1. Go to the Startup tab on the panel
2. Enter your Git Repo Address (e.g., https://github.com/yourname/your-bot)
3. Optionally set the Branch, Git Username, and Git Access Token (required for private repos)
4. If you have existing files on the server, select all files and delete them first
5. Click Reinstall Server to pull the code from GitHub
6. Your repo will be pulled fresh on reinstall, and updated automatically on every restart if Auto Update is enabled

1. Create your project files

{
    "name": "my-discord-bot",
    "version": "1.0.0",
    "description": "My Discord bot hosted on FPS.ms",
    "main": "index.js",
    "scripts": {
        "start": "node ."
    },
    "dependencies": {
        "discord.js": "latest",
        "dotenv": "latest"
    }
}

require('dotenv').config();
const { Client, Events, GatewayIntentBits } = require('discord.js');

const client = new Client({ intents: [GatewayIntentBits.Guilds] });

client.once(Events.ClientReady, readyClient => {
    console.log(`Ready! Logged in as ${readyClient.user.tag}`);
});

client.login(process.env.BOT_TOKEN);

2. Upload and start

1. Upload your project files using one of the methods above
2. Create a .env file with your bot token
3. Click Start on the Console tab

Python vs Node.js comparison

Next steps

• Edit your bot code — update files via the panel, SFTP, or VS Code live sync
• Set up environment variables — securely manage your bot token and config
• Add slash commands — make your bot interactive with modern Discord commands
• Create a schedule — set up automatic restarts or timed tasks
• Upload files via SFTP — transfer files securely to your server

Troubleshooting