BabelBotBabelBot Discord translator command reference
BabelBot slash commands and message context menus. Covers permissions, where each works, and what each does.
Use /language to choose the language for BabelBot's own server messages. Use the dashboard to manage translation targets, bridges, and billing. A connected AI assistant can also manage translation languages, server and channel settings, channel rules, and ignored users. Discord also provides admin links, a billing summary, and member translation shortcuts.
Permission summary
| Command / menu | Manage Server required | Works in |
|---|---|---|
/help | Yes | Server channels only |
/dashboard | Yes | Server channels only |
/language | Yes | Server channels only |
/upgrade | Yes | Server channels only |
/set-context-language | No | Server, DM, private channel (with user install) |
Translate Text (message menu) | No | Server, DM, private channel (with user install) |
Detect Language (message menu) | No | Same as above |
| No | Server channels (Ultra or Founder Access; see Voice chat translation) |
Install types
BabelBot supports guild install and user install. Install BabelBot for your Discord account to use context menus and /set-context-language in DMs, private channels, and servers where BabelBot is not installed. Automatic channel translation and admin commands require a server install.
Slash commands
/help
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Permission | Manage Server |
| Behavior | Explains that server settings live in the dashboard. Includes buttons for documentation and dashboard login. |
/dashboard
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Permission | Manage Server |
| Behavior | Private link (only you can see it) to your server dashboard. Signs in with Discord when needed. |
Use the dashboard to edit target languages, reply mode and style, bridges, channel rules, media translation, voice chat translation, flag reactions, and billing.
/language
Server managers can select one interface language for BabelBot in this server. This setting changes BabelBot's welcome and admin command text. Before a server manager chooses a language, BabelBot uses the server's Discord language when BabelBot supports it, and English otherwise. It does not change the languages used to translate members' messages. The welcome message also has a language button for server managers.
/upgrade
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Permission | Manage Server |
| Behavior | Private embed (only you can see it) with current plan, limits, and a link to Billing |
/set-context-language
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Permission | None |
| Option |
|
| Behavior | Stores the member's default target language for Translate Text |
If you have not set a language, Translate Text uses your Discord language setting when it can.
BabelBot keeps your saved target language for 180 days after you set it or use Translate Text. Each use starts a new 180-day period.
/voice start, /voice stop, /voice status
Live voice call translation. Available on Ultra and Founder Access when an admin has enabled it in the dashboard.
| Subcommand | Who can use it | What it does |
|---|---|---|
start | Any member in a voice channel | BabelBot joins voice right away and posts translations in that channel's text chat, using the channel's configured target languages |
stop | Session starter, anyone in that voice channel, or server managers | Ends translation and BabelBot leaves voice |
status | Anyone | Shows whether a session is running and for how long |
Full voice guide
See Voice chat translation for admin setup, member steps, limits, and tips.
Message context menus
Install BabelBot for your Discord account, then right-click a message and open Apps. The actions work in DMs, private channels, and servers where BabelBot is not installed.
Translate Text
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Permission | None |
| Behavior | Private embed (only you can see it) with a translation into your context language |
| Uses | AI (counts toward server AI usage when used in a server) |
Detect Language
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Permission | None |
| Behavior | Private embed (only you can see it) with the detected language |
| Uses | Azure language detection |
Flag reaction shortcut (not a slash command)
React with a supported country-flag emoji on a message to translate it into that flag's language, when the server or matching channel rule allows flag reactions. The server setting decides whether BabelBot posts the result in the channel or sends it to the requester by DM. Supported PDFs, images, video attachments, and audio files are included when media translation is available for the server. This is not a slash command. See How BabelBot Works.
What is not available as a Discord command
Use the dashboard or a connected AI assistant for settings that have no Discord commands:
- Target languages: dashboard or AI assistant
- Server and channel translation settings: dashboard or AI assistant
- Channel rules: dashboard or AI assistant
- Bridge creation and editing: dashboard
- Ignored users: Ignored users in the sidebar in the dashboard, or AI assistant
- Master server on/off: dashboard or AI assistant
- Setting change history: Audit logs near the bottom of the dashboard sidebar
Related pages
- Dashboard Guide: configure everything
/dashboardlinks to - AI assistant integrations: connect an assistant to view or change settings
- Billing and Limits: plan caps
- FAQ: member questions about context menus and opt-out