Midjourney Setup Guide for Beginners: Discord Bot, Prompt Syntax & Team Server Configuration
Getting Started with Midjourney: A Complete Beginner’s Guide
Midjourney is one of the most powerful AI image generation tools available today, operating primarily through Discord. This guide walks you through everything from initial setup to configuring a private server for your team — so you can start creating AI-generated artwork in minutes.
Step 1: Create a Discord Account
Midjourney runs entirely inside Discord. If you don’t already have an account, you’ll need one before proceeding.
- Visit discord.com and click Register.- Enter your email, username, password, and date of birth.- Verify your email address through the confirmation link Discord sends you.- Download the Discord desktop app or use the web version at discord.com/app.
Step 2: Subscribe to a Midjourney Plan
Midjourney requires a paid subscription. Visit midjourney.com/accounts to choose a plan. Here’s a breakdown:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price (per month) | Fast GPU Time | Concurrent Jobs | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $10 | $8 | 3.3 hrs/month | 3 (10 queued) | Hobbyists, casual users |
| Standard | $30 | $24 | 15 hrs/month | 3 (10 queued) | Regular creators, freelancers |
| Pro | $60 | $48 | 30 hrs/month | 12 (3 fast) | Professionals, studios |
| Mega | $120 | $96 | 60 hrs/month | 12 (3 fast) | Teams, agencies, heavy users |
Step 3: Join the Midjourney Discord Server
- Go to midjourney.com and click Join the Beta or visit the Midjourney Discord directly.- Accept the server invitation in Discord.- Navigate to any
#newbieschannel (e.g.,#newbies-1,#newbies-44).- You’re now ready to generate your first creation.
Step 4: Understanding the /imagine Command Syntax
The core command in Midjourney is /imagine. Here’s the complete syntax structure:
/imagine prompt: [text description] [parameters]
Parameter Reference
| Parameter | Syntax | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Aspect Ratio | --ar 16:9 | Sets width-to-height ratio |
| Version | --v 6.1 | Selects model version |
| Quality | --q 2 | Rendering quality (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2) |
| Stylize | --s 750 | Artistic stylization level (0–1000) |
| Chaos | --c 50 | Variation in results (0–100) |
| No | --no trees | Negative prompt — excludes elements |
| Seed | --seed 12345 | Reproducible results |
| Tile | --tile | Generates seamless tiling patterns |
| Stop | --stop 80 | Stops generation at a percentage |
/imagine prompt: a minimalist logo design on white background --ar 1:1 --s 50 --v 6.1/imagine prompt: futuristic city skyline at sunset, cyberpunk aesthetic —ar 16:9 —s 750 —c 25 —v 6.1
/imagine prompt: seamless geometric pattern, blue and gold —tile —ar 1:1 —v 6.1
Multi-Prompt Syntax
Use the double-colon :: operator to weight different parts of your prompt separately:
/imagine prompt: sunset over ocean::2 dramatic clouds::1 --ar 16:9
This gives the ocean sunset concept twice the weight of the clouds element.
Step 5: Essential Bot Commands
| Command | Function |
|---|---|
/imagine | Generate from a text prompt |
/settings | Open the settings panel to toggle model version, quality, and mode |
/info | Check subscription status, usage, and remaining Fast Time |
/describe | Upload a reference and get prompt suggestions |
/blend | Merge 2–5 uploaded references together |
/prefer suffix | Automatically append parameters to every prompt |
/prefer option set | Create custom parameter shortcuts |
/prefer suffix --v 6.1 --ar 16:9 --s 500This appends --v 6.1 --ar 16:9 --s 500 to every prompt automatically. Use /prefer suffix with no value to clear it.
Creating Custom Shortcuts
/prefer option set —option mylogo —value —ar 1:1 —s 50 —no text watermark
Now you can use —mylogo in any prompt to apply those parameters instantly.
Step 6: Private Server Configuration for Teams
For team workflows, setting up a private Discord server with the Midjourney Bot provides a cleaner, more organized workspace.
- Create a new Discord server: Click the
+icon in the Discord sidebar and select Create My Own.- Invite the Midjourney Bot: Go to any Midjourney server channel, click on the Midjourney Bot’s profile, and select Add to Server. Choose your private server from the dropdown and authorize it.- Set up channels: Create dedicated channels for different project types: #brand-assets— logos, icons, brand materials-#concept-art— exploration and ideation-#production— final renders and approved outputs-#prompt-library— store and share effective prompts - Configure permissions: Go to Server Settings → Roles. Create roles like
Art Director, Designer, and Viewer to control who can generate and who can only browse.- Invite team members: Use Server Settings → Invites to generate invite links. Set expiration and usage limits for security.Important: Every team member using /imagine must have their own active Midjourney subscription. The bot runs on individual accounts, not server-level licenses.
Pro Tips for Power Users
- Use Relax Mode strategically: Type
/relaxfor exploratory work and/fastwhen you need results quickly. This preserves your Fast GPU hours for client-facing work.- Seed locking for consistency: After generating a result you like, use/imagine prompt: your prompt —seed [number]to reproduce similar compositions. React to your generated image with the ✉️ emoji to receive the seed number via DM.- Permutation prompts: Generate multiple variations in one command using curly braces:/imagine prompt: a {red, blue, green} sports car —ar 16:9This creates three separate jobs, one for each color.- Pan and Zoom: After generating an image, use the arrow buttons (⬅️ ➡️ ⬆️ ⬇️) to extend the canvas in any direction, or the 🔍 button to zoom out.- Remix Mode: Enable via/settingsand toggle Remix. This lets you modify the prompt when upscaling or making variations, giving you fine control over iterations.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Bot doesn't respond | Bot not added to server or no subscription | Re-invite the bot; verify your subscription at **midjourney.com/accounts** |
Job queued for a long time | Server load or plan limits | Switch to /fast mode or try during off-peak hours (early morning UTC) |
Invalid parameter error | Typo or incompatible flag | Check parameter spelling; some flags like --hd are deprecated in v6+ |
| Blocked prompt | Content policy violation | Rephrase your prompt to avoid restricted terms; review Midjourney's Community Guidelines |
| Images look different from expected | Low stylize or wrong version | Increase --s value; ensure you're using --v 6.1 for latest model |
| Can't DM the bot | Privacy settings blocking DMs | Enable *Allow direct messages from server members* in Discord Privacy settings |
Can I use Midjourney-generated images for commercial projects?
Yes. All paid Midjourney subscribers own the rights to the images they generate and can use them commercially. This includes prints, merchandise, marketing materials, and client work. Free trial users (when available) do not receive commercial usage rights. If you're a company with more than $1 million in annual gross revenue, you must be on a Pro or Mega plan for commercial use.
Do I need to keep Discord open for Midjourney to work?
You need to submit your prompts through Discord (or the Midjourney web app at midjourney.com), but you don’t need to keep Discord open while the image generates. Jobs continue processing server-side. You can also access your gallery, prompt history, and generation tools through the Midjourney website after linking your Discord account.
How do I prevent my team’s generations from appearing publicly on the Midjourney website?
You need a Pro or Mega plan subscription and must enable Stealth Mode. Type /stealth in any channel where the Midjourney Bot is active. In Stealth Mode, your generated images will not appear on the public Midjourney gallery or community feed. Note that each team member who wants stealth must activate it individually on their own account. Generations made before enabling Stealth Mode remain public.