Connect Nightbot to Twitch in three steps
To add Nightbot to your Twitch channel, you visit Nightbot's website, sign in with your Twitch account, and authorize the bot to access your channel. The whole process takes about two minutes and requires no coding or technical setup on your end. Nightbot then appears in your chat as a user account and can moderate messages, run commands, and post announcements based on rules you set.
Nightbot is a third-party bot, meaning it's not made by Twitch but works within Twitch's system. It sits in your chat like any other user, but you control what it says and when. The bot stays active even when you're offline, so it can moderate spam and greet returning viewers while you're not streaming.
Key Takeaways
- You authorize Nightbot through its website using your Twitch login, and the bot joins your channel automatically once you complete the setup.
- Nightbot requires moderator status in your channel to function, so you must promote it to moderator after it joins.
- The bot can filter spam, run custom commands, post timed messages, and manage user timeouts without you writing any code.
- Nightbot's free version covers basic moderation and commands; paid tiers unlock features like custom spam filters and song requests.
The exact steps to authorize Nightbot
Go to nightbot.tv and click the "Sign In" button in the top right. You'll see a "Sign in with Twitch" option — click that. Twitch will ask you to confirm that you want to let Nightbot access your account. Click "Authorize" and you'll be sent back to Nightbot's dashboard.
On the dashboard, click "Join Channel" in the top navigation. Nightbot will ask which channel you want it to join — type your Twitch username and click the button. Nightbot immediately joins your chat as a user named "Nightbot" and appears in your channel's user list.
The final step is making Nightbot a moderator. Go to your Twitch channel, open the chat, find Nightbot in the user list, click its name, and select "Make Moderator" from the menu. Without moderator status, Nightbot can't delete messages, time out users, or perform most of its functions. Once promoted, it can act on the rules you set up.
Setting up basic moderation rules
After Nightbot joins your channel, go back to nightbot.tv/dashboard and click "Moderation" in the left menu. You'll see options for spam filters, banned words, and user restrictions. The spam filter catches repeated messages, all-caps text, and links — you can adjust how strict it is by moving sliders or typing specific words into the banned list.
For each rule, you choose what Nightbot does when someone breaks it: delete the message, time out the user for a set number of seconds, or ban them entirely. You can also set exceptions — for example, allowing moderators to post links even if links are normally banned. These settings take effect immediately and apply to all viewers except those you've marked as exceptions.
Creating custom commands and timed messages
Nightbot's command feature lets you create responses to chat messages. Click "Commands" in the dashboard and then "Add Command." Type the command name (for example, !discord), then type what Nightbot should say when someone types that command in chat. You can make commands that post your Discord link, explain your streaming schedule, or answer frequently asked questions.
Timed messages are announcements Nightbot posts automatically at intervals you set. Click "Timers" in the dashboard, create a new timer, write the message, and set how many minutes should pass between posts. For example, you could have Nightbot post "Follow the channel for notifications" every 15 minutes. Timers only run while you're streaming, so they won't spam your offline chat.
Understanding Nightbot's free and paid versions
Nightbot's free version includes spam filtering, custom commands, timed messages, and basic moderation tools. You can set up banned words, filter links, and create as many commands as you want. The free tier covers most streamers' basic needs and has no time limit — it works indefinitely.
Nightbot's paid plans (called Nightbot Pro) add features like custom spam filters that learn from your chat, song request systems, and advanced logging. The paid version costs money per month and is optional — you don't need it to run a moderated channel. Most small to medium streamers find the free version sufficient; larger channels often upgrade for the song request feature, which lets viewers request songs to play during the stream.
Troubleshooting common setup problems
If Nightbot doesn't appear in your chat after you authorize it, refresh your Twitch channel page or log out and back in. Sometimes Twitch's cache delays the bot's appearance by a few minutes. If it still doesn't show up, go back to nightbot.tv and click "Join Channel" again — you may need to re-authorize if your session expired.
If Nightbot is in your chat but its commands don't work, check that it has moderator status. Go to your channel's user list, find Nightbot, and confirm the moderator badge appears next to its name. If Nightbot is a moderator but still can't delete messages or time out users, your channel's moderation settings may be restricting it — check your Twitch channel settings under "Moderation" to ensure Nightbot's account isn't blocked.
If you want to remove Nightbot, go to your Twitch channel's user list, click Nightbot's name, and select "Remove Moderator," then "Ban User." Nightbot will leave your chat immediately. You can re-add it anytime by going back to nightbot.tv and clicking "Join Channel" again.
Other bots that work similarly to Nightbot
Several other bots offer similar moderation and command features. Moobot and Streamlabs Chatbot both provide spam filtering and custom commands, though Streamlabs Chatbot requires downloading software to your computer rather than working entirely through a website. Wizebot is another option that focuses on timed messages and alerts.
Most streamers pick one bot and stick with it rather than running multiple bots in the same channel, since overlapping moderation rules can cause conflicts. Nightbot is popular because it requires no installation and works immediately after authorization, making it the easiest starting point for streamers new to moderation tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Nightbot cost money?
Nightbot's basic version is free and includes moderation, custom commands, and timed messages. A paid tier called Nightbot Pro adds advanced features like song requests and custom spam filters, but you don't need to pay to use the bot.
Can I use Nightbot if I'm not an affiliate or partner?
Yes. Nightbot works on any Twitch channel regardless of your status. You don't need to be an affiliate, partner, or have any minimum follower count to add it.
What happens to Nightbot's settings if I stop streaming?
Your settings stay saved. Timed messages won't post while you're offline, but all your commands, banned words, and moderation rules remain active. When you stream again, everything works exactly as you left it.
Can Nightbot ban people from my channel?
Yes, if you set it up to do so. You can configure Nightbot to ban users automatically when they break rules like posting banned words or spamming. You can also manually ban people through Nightbot's dashboard or your Twitch channel settings.
Will Nightbot work if I revoke its access?
No. If you disconnect Nightbot from your Twitch account through your Twitch security settings, it stops working immediately. To use it again, you'd need to re-authorize it on nightbot.tv.