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Slowmode

The slowmode command allows server moderators to control the rate at which members can send messages in a channel. This is highly effective for managing high-traffic discussions, stopping spam, or forcing a slower pace in specific channels.

When slowmode is active, users will see a countdown in their message box after sending a message, indicating how long they must wait before sending another.

Syntax

The slowmode command can be used in two ways:

Slash Command:

Text Only
/slowmode [seconds:STRING] [channel:CHANNEL]

Prefix Command:

Text Only
$slowmode [seconds] [channel]
$sm [seconds] [channel]

Aliases:

You can also use these aliases instead of slowmode:

  • sm

Parameters

Parameter Type Required Description
channel Channel No The channel to modify (defaults to current).
seconds String No The delay value (e.g., 10, 5s, 2m). If omitted, Tux returns the current setting.

Constraints

  • Maximum Delay: Discord allows a maximum slowmode of 21600 seconds (6 hours).
  • Minimum Delay: 0 (disables slowmode).

Permissions

Bot Permissions

Tux requires the following permissions:

  • Manage Channels - Required to modify channel settings like slowmode.

User Permissions

Users need appropriate moderation permissions to use this command.

Permission System

Command permissions are configured per-guild using Tux's dynamic permission system. Configure via /config commands or see the Permission Configuration guide.

Usage Examples

Get Current Slowmode

Check the slowmode setting for the current channel.

Text Only
/slowmode

Set Slowmode in Current Channel

Setting a 10-second delay.

Text Only
/slowmode seconds:10

Set Slowmode for Another Channel

Setting a 5-minute delay for #general.

Text Only
$slowmode #general 5m

Disable Slowmode

Text Only
/slowmode seconds:0

Response Format

When executed successfully, Tux will:

  1. Update the channel's slowmode setting on Discord.
  2. Return a confirmation message (slash command) or send a temporary confirmation (prefix command) stating the new slowmode setting.

The confirmation message shows the channel name and the new slowmode delay. If no delay is specified, it shows the current slowmode setting for that channel.

Error Handling

Common Errors

Invalid Delay Format

When it occurs: The provided delay string is not a simple number or doesn't use supported units (s, m, h).

What happens: The bot sends an error message indicating the delay format is invalid.

Solutions:

  • Use a number (seconds) or a number with a unit (e.g., 30s, 10m, 2h)
  • Supported units: s (seconds), m (minutes), h (hours)
  • Examples: 10, 30s, 5m, 1h

Amount Too High

When it occurs: The requested delay exceeds 6 hours (21600 seconds).

What happens: The bot sends an error message indicating the delay exceeds Discord's maximum.

Solutions:

  • Use a delay within the 0 to 21600 second range (0 to 6 hours)
  • Discord's maximum slowmode is 6 hours
  • Use 0 to disable slowmode completely

Unsupported Channel Type

When it occurs: You attempt to set slowmode in a channel type that doesn't support it (e.g., a Category).

What happens: The bot sends an error message indicating the channel type doesn't support slowmode.

Solutions:

  • Use slowmode in Text Channels, Threads, or Voice Channels
  • Categories and other channel types don't support slowmode
  • Select a specific channel within the category instead
  • /purge - Clean up messages if spam has already occurred
  • /timeout - Restrict a specific user instead of the entire channel