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📋 Quick-Reference Cheat Sheet

Everything worth keeping within arm's reach — Markdown formatting, keyboard shortcuts, search filters, a permissions quick-map, the moderation ladder, and an honest Free-vs-paid table. Made to be scanned, bookmarked, or printed.

🏠 Guide Home  ·  📖 Glossary

A companion, not a lesson. This page has no quiz or journal — it's a reference you'll come back to. For the full explanations, follow the lesson links in each section. Because Discord's interface shifts over time and differs across desktop, web, and mobile, treat exact menu paths and shortcuts as "look for this," not gospel — and confirm current details at support.discord.com.

On This Page

✍️ Markdown Formatting

Type these symbols around your text; Discord renders the result when you send. Full walkthrough in Lesson 6.

You typeYou get
*italics* or _italics_italics
**bold**bold
***bold italic***bold italic
__underline__underline
~~strikethrough~~strikethrough
`inline code`inline code
``` then a language then your code then ```A multi-line code block (with syntax color if you name a language, e.g. ```js)
> quoteA single-line blockquote (use >>> for multi-line)
||spoiler||A hidden spoiler you click to reveal
# Heading · ## Sub · ### SmallBig / medium / small headings (in text channels)
- item or * itemA bulleted list (indent with spaces to nest)
1. itemA numbered list
[text](https://example.com)A masked link showing "text"
Shift + EnterA line break without sending the message

✅ Tip

Wrap text in a code block or use \ before a symbol to show Markdown characters literally without them formatting.

⌨️ Keyboard Shortcuts

⚠️ OS differences

On Windows/Linux use Ctrl; on Mac use Cmd (⌘). Some shortcuts vary by version, platform, and whether you're on the desktop app, web, or mobile — mobile mostly uses taps and swipes rather than key combos. When in doubt, check Settings ▸ Keybinds (and press Ctrl/Cmd + / in-app for a shortcut list where available).

Do thisPress (roughly)
Quick Switcher (jump to any server, channel, or DM)Ctrl/Cmd + K
Search the current serverCtrl/Cmd + F
Mark current channel as readEsc
Mark server as readShift + Esc
Next / previous unread channelAlt + ↑ / ↓
Toggle mute (microphone)Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + M
Toggle deafen (mic + speakers)Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + D
Open the emoji pickerCtrl/Cmd + E
Edit your last message↑ (in an empty message box)
Upload a fileCtrl/Cmd + Shift + U
Show all keyboard shortcutsCtrl/Cmd + /

🔐 Permissions Quick-Map

The most important Act II skill. Full detail in Lesson 14.

PermissionLets a role…
AdministratorDo everything — and bypass every other setting. Hand out with extreme care.
Manage Server / GuildChange server settings, AutoMod, verification
Manage RolesCreate and edit roles below their own
Manage ChannelsCreate, edit, and delete channels
Manage MessagesDelete or pin others' messages
Timeout / Moderate MembersTemporarily mute a member
Kick MembersRemove a member (they can rejoin)
Ban MembersRemove and block a member
Mention @everyonePing everyone / here / all roles

💡 Two rules that explain most "why can't my mod…" questions

  • Hierarchy rule: a role can only manage, kick, ban, or timeout members whose highest role sits below its own. A mod can't action an admin above them.
  • Administrator bypasses everything. It ignores channel overrides and every restriction. If someone "shouldn't" be able to do something but can, check whether they have Administrator.

Effective access = role permissions + channel overrides (an override can allow, deny, or stay neutral per channel) — unless Administrator is on, which wins.

A sensible role ladder: Owner > Admin > Mod > Member > (muted) — higher manages lower.

🛡️ Moderation Escalation & AutoMod

Respond in proportion — start low, climb only if you must. Everything here is Free and built in. See Lesson 15 and Lesson 16.

graph LR A["🤖 AutoMod (automatic)"] --> B["🗣️ Warn"] B --> C["⏳ Timeout"] C --> D["👢 Kick"] D --> E["⛔ Ban"] style A fill:#c7d2fe,color:#1e293b style B fill:#bbf7d0,color:#1e293b style C fill:#fde68a,color:#1e293b style D fill:#fecaca,color:#1e293b style E fill:#fecaca,color:#1e293b

Figure — The escalation ladder. AutoMod handles routine cases before a human is involved.

ActionWhat it doesCan they return?
WarnA clear, kind heads-up citing the rule—
TimeoutTemporary mute; they stay in the serverYes, auto-expires
KickRemoves them now; not a blockYes, with a new invite
BanRemoves and blocks; can delete recent messagesNo, unless you lift it

✅ AutoMod in one line

A built-in, free rule engine that reads messages as they post and can block content, alert your mods, or auto-timeout a sender — before any human sees it. Set it up in Server Settings ▸ AutoMod. Verification Levels gate who can talk at the front door; the Audit Log records who did what.

💎 Free vs Nitro vs Boost

The guide's honest map of the money. The whole core app is free; the rest is optional. We don't quote prices — they change and vary by country. Check discord.com/nitro for current details. Deep dive in Lesson 21.

What you wantTierNotes
Account, chatting, voice/video/screen shareFreeThe heart of Discord — forever free.
Joining servers, threads, reactions, basic emojiFreeUsing a server's own emoji in that server is free.
Creating & moderating a server, AutoMod, community featuresFreeRoles, verification, timeouts, bans, onboarding — all free.
2FA and account securityFreeAlways free — turn it on.
Bigger uploads, HD/high-fps streaming, longer messagesNitroPersonal subscription. Nice to have, never required.
Custom & animated emoji everywhere, animated avatar/profileNitroPersonal cosmetic perks.
Better server audio quality, more emoji/sticker slotsBoostMembers chip in Boosts to level up a whole server.
Animated server icon/banner, a vanity invite URLBoostServer-wide cosmetic perks at higher Boost levels.

⚠️ The shape that stays true

Free core → optional personal Nitro → optional server Boost. You never need either to use Discord or run a real community.

🆘 Getting Help