To add Nightbot to Twitch, sign in at nightbot.tv with your Twitch account, click Join Channel in the Nightbot control panel, then type /mod nightbot in your Twitch chat so the bot has moderator rights. That takes about two minutes. The rest of this guide walks through each step in detail, then shows how to set up commands, timers and spam filters so the bot actually helps your stream.
Nightbot is a cloud-hosted chatbot made by NightDev. Because it runs on NightDev’s servers, you do not install anything on your PC, and it keeps working even when your streaming software is closed. According to its official documentation, it currently works with Twitch, YouTube, Trovo and SOOP.
What you need before you start
- A Twitch account that owns the channel you want the bot in. You do not need a separate Nightbot account, because you log in with Twitch.
- A web browser. Everything is configured in the Nightbot control panel online.
- Access to your own Twitch chat, so you can give the bot moderator status.
How to add Nightbot to Twitch, step by step
Step 1: Sign in with Twitch
Go to nightbot.tv and click Login. Choose Twitch as your platform. Twitch will open an authorization screen listing the permissions Nightbot is asking for. Read it, then click Authorize. You land on the Nightbot control panel (dashboard).
Step 2: Click Join Channel
On the dashboard, click the Join Channel button near the top right. Nightbot connects to your Twitch chat and shows a pop-up with instructions for making it a moderator.
Step 3: Make Nightbot a moderator
Open your Twitch chat (your channel page or the Stream Manager) and type:
/mod nightbot
Twitch confirms that Nightbot is now a moderator. Mod status matters because, without it, Nightbot cannot delete messages or time out spammers, and Twitch may rate-limit its replies. You can also mod it by clicking its name in chat to open the viewer card and choosing the mod option.
Step 4: Test it
Type !commands in chat. If Nightbot replies, it is working. If it stays silent, check that you clicked Join Channel, that the mod command went through, and that you have not previously banned or ignored the bot. If you have, /unban nightbot clears a ban.
How to remove or pause Nightbot
To take Nightbot out of your channel, open the Nightbot dashboard and click the same button you used to add it. Once the bot is in your channel, it reads Part Channel. Click it and Nightbot leaves your chat. You can rejoin at any time and your commands and settings stay saved. If you want it gone for good, also remove its moderator status in Twitch with /unmod nightbot, and you can revoke its access under Connections in your Twitch settings.
How to create custom commands
Custom commands are short triggers (like !discord or !schedule) that make Nightbot post a saved reply. You can create them two ways.
From the control panel
- Open Commands in the left sidebar, then Custom.
- Click Add Command.
- Enter the command name, the message Nightbot should send, the user level allowed to use it, and a cooldown in seconds.
- Save. Use the edit (pencil) icon to change it later or the trash icon to delete it.
From chat
As the channel owner or a moderator, you can type commands straight into chat. Nightbot’s documentation gives this syntax:
- Add:
!commands add !discord Join our Discord server, link in the panels below - Edit:
!commands edit !discord new response text - Delete:
!commands delete !discord - With options:
!commands add !rules -ul=moderator -cd=30 Be kind, no spoilers, where-ulsets the user level and-cdsets the cooldown in seconds.
User levels explained
| User level | Who it covers |
|---|---|
| owner | The channel owner only |
| moderator | Channel moderators and the owner |
| twitch_vip | Twitch VIPs and above |
| regular | Viewers you add to Nightbot’s Regulars list |
| subscriber | Paid subscribers |
| everyone | Any viewer (the default) |
A sensible setup is to leave informational commands (social links, schedule, PC specs) open to everyone with a 10 to 30 second cooldown so they cannot be spammed, and restrict anything that changes settings to moderators.
Starter commands most channels use
If you are not sure where to begin, these are the commands viewers most often look for. Write the responses in your own voice and keep each one to a single line, since long bot messages get skipped.
| Command | What it should say | Suggested settings |
|---|---|---|
| !schedule | Your regular stream days and times, with a time zone | everyone, 30 second cooldown |
| !socials | Where else viewers can find you | everyone, 30 second cooldown |
| !rules | Two or three short chat rules | everyone, 60 second cooldown |
| !specs | Your PC, camera and microphone | everyone, 60 second cooldown |
| !lurk | A friendly thank-you for viewers who stay in the background | everyone, 10 second cooldown |
Review your command list every few weeks. Delete anything outdated, such as an old giveaway or a finished event, so that !commands shows viewers only what is current. If you have moderators, tell them which commands exist so they can point new viewers to the right one instead of typing the same answer repeatedly. A short, accurate list is more useful than a long one nobody reads.
Key Nightbot features worth setting up
Spam protection
Under Spam Protection, you can turn on filters for links, excessive caps, excessive emotes, repeated symbols, repetitive messages and a custom blacklist of words or phrases. Each filter lets you choose a timeout length and which user levels are exempt. The link filter is one of the most useful for new streamers, since bot accounts often post links to scam sites. You can exempt regulars and subscribers so trusted viewers can still share clips.
Timers
Timers post a message automatically at a set interval, such as a reminder to follow, a link to your Discord or your stream schedule. You can also require a minimum number of chat lines between posts, so the bot does not talk to an empty room during quiet stretches.
Song requests
Song requests let viewers queue music from supported sources with a chat command. You control the playlist, request limits and who can request. Be careful with copyrighted music on Twitch: playing it on stream can lead to muted VODs or DMCA strikes, so many streamers limit requests to royalty-free playlists.
Giveaways and variables
The Giveaways page picks random winners from active chatters or from viewers who type a keyword. Variables let commands show dynamic information, such as a viewer’s name, your stream uptime or a countdown, which makes replies feel less robotic.
Is Nightbot free?
Yes. Nightbot is free to add to your Twitch channel, and its core tools (custom commands, timers, spam filters, song requests and giveaways) do not require a paid plan. Because it is hosted in the cloud, there is no software to download or server to maintain.
Troubleshooting common problems
- Nightbot does not reply: confirm it shows as joined in the dashboard and that it has the mod badge in chat.
- A command does nothing: check its user level and cooldown, and that the command is enabled.
- Filters are timing out the wrong people: exempt regulars or subscribers, or relax the caps and emote thresholds.
- You use more than one bot: avoid duplicate commands with the same name, or both bots will reply.
Once your bot is running, learning chat culture helps too. Our explainer on what BibleThump means on Twitch covers one of the platform’s best-known emotes, and our piece on the future of live streaming looks at where the medium is heading.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nightbot free for Twitch?
Yes. You can add Nightbot to your Twitch channel and use its commands, timers and spam filters without paying.
Why do I need to mod Nightbot?
Moderator status lets Nightbot delete messages and time out spammers. Type /mod nightbot in your Twitch chat after clicking Join Channel.
How do I remove Nightbot from my channel?
Click Part Channel in the Nightbot dashboard. To remove it fully, also type /unmod nightbot in your Twitch chat.
Does Nightbot work on YouTube?
Yes. Nightbot supports Twitch, YouTube, Trovo and SOOP. On YouTube it joins only when you are live and the stream is public.
How do I add a command from chat?
Type !commands add followed by the command name and the response, for example: !commands add !discord Join our Discord server.
