> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.volvox.bot/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Discord Welcome Messages and Onboarding

> Set up Volvox.Bot welcome messages, returning-member greetings, rules verification, introduction prompts, and dynamic onboarding context from the dashboard.

# Welcome and onboarding

Volvox.Bot can greet new members, point them to useful channels, help with rules verification, and prompt introductions. Configure it from **Settings -> Onboarding & Growth -> Welcome**.

## What it does

* **Welcome messages** — Send a message when a member joins your server
* **Text, embed, or both** — Use plain text, a Discord embed, or a combined message
* **Dynamic context** — Add member-count milestones, time-aware greetings, and suggested active channels
* **Returning-member greetings** — Show a different message when someone rejoins
* **Rules verification** — Publish a rules prompt and assign a verified role when members accept it
* **Introduction prompts** — Send members toward an intro channel with a customizable prompt

## Settings location

Welcome settings are in **Settings -> Onboarding & Growth -> Welcome**.

## Welcome settings

The **Welcome** settings tab at `/dashboard/settings/onboarding-growth?tab=welcome` controls join messages, embed/text mode, dynamic welcome context, rules verification, introduction prompts, and returning-member greetings.

## How to use

1. Open **Settings -> Onboarding & Growth -> Welcome**.
2. Turn **Welcome** on.
3. Select the **Message Channel** where join messages should appear.
4. Write the welcome message, or switch the editor to **Embed** or **Text + Embed**.
5. Optionally configure **Rules Channel**, **Verification Role**, and **Introductions**.
6. Save changes.

<Callout type="tip">
  Use `{{user}}` when you want to mention the new member. Use `{{username}}` when you want plain text without a ping.
</Callout>

## Message variables

Welcome messages support double-brace variables only. Single braces are treated as normal text.

| Variable            | What it inserts                    |
| ------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| `{{user}}`          | Member mention                     |
| `{{username}}`      | Member display name without a ping |
| `{{server}}`        | Server name                        |
| `{{memberCount}}`   | Current member count               |
| `{{greeting}}`      | Time-aware greeting                |
| `{{milestoneLine}}` | Member-count milestone text        |
| `{{vibeLine}}`      | Current server activity context    |
| `{{ctaLine}}`       | Suggested channels call-to-action  |
| `{{timeOfDay}}`     | Time-of-day label                  |
| `{{activityLevel}}` | Current activity level             |
| `{{topChannels}}`   | Active or highlighted channels     |

## Dynamic welcomes

Dynamic welcomes use server context to make join messages less generic. When enabled, Volvox.Bot can include active channels, member milestones, time of day, and activity level in the generated message variables.

You can tune:

| Setting            | Description                                                                            |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Milestone interval | How often member-count milestone text appears. Set `0` to disable interval milestones. |
| Highlight channels | Channels Volvox.Bot should prefer when suggesting where to go next.                    |
| Exclude channels   | Channels Volvox.Bot should never suggest in welcome copy.                              |

## Rules verification

Rules verification uses the **Rules Channel**, **Verification Role**, and **Rules agreement message** fields. After you save the setup, publish or refresh the rules panel from the dashboard or with `/welcome setup`.

<Callout type="info">
  Role assignment requires the bot's Discord role to be above the role it grants. If verification fails, check the bot role position and Discord role permissions first.
</Callout>

## Introduction prompts

Set an **Introductions** channel and customize the **Introduction prompt**. The prompt can mention the new member with `{{user}}` or use `{{username}}` for plain text.

## Returning members

Enable **Returning member message** to greet members differently when they rejoin. This is useful when someone leaves briefly and comes back; the bot can avoid treating them like a brand-new member.