Prune messages
Bulk delete up to 99 recent messages in a channel with one command. Learn the limits, the 14-day rule and the permissions you and Buddy need.
On this page
/prune clears a mess fast. Run it in a channel, say how many messages to remove, and Buddy
deletes the most recent ones in one go. It's perfect after a spam wave or an argument that got
out of hand.
Before you start#
Pruned messages are gone for good, pinned ones included. If you need a record, set up a Message update logs channel in Server logs first.
Set it up#
There's nothing to configure. Run the command in the channel you want to clean:
/prune only works on the channel you run it in.
Type /prune and enter an amount between 1 and 99.
Buddy confirms with how many messages it removed, for example "Pruned 25 messages from this channel." Only you see this. Any error is also shown only to you.
Commands#
/prune <amount> Manage MessagesRemoves a given amount of previous messages from the current channel!
Discord only shows /prune to members with Manage Messages by default, and Buddy checks it
again when the command runs. You can narrow it further with
command roles.
Limits#
| Limit | Details |
|---|---|
| How many | 1 to 99 messages per run (Discord won't accept 0 or 100+). Run it again to remove more. |
| How old | Only messages newer than 14 days. Discord doesn't let bots bulk delete older messages, so Buddy skips them without an error. |
| Which messages | The most recent messages in the channel, from everyone (members and bots). You can't pick a single member. |
| Where | Only the channel you run it in. |
Examples#
Remove the last 25 messages:
/prune amount:25If you have Message update logs set up, Buddy's log shows one entry for the whole batch:
/prune cleans one channel at a time. For copy-paste spam in many channels, turn on
spam alerts so Buddy deletes it for you.
Troubleshooting#
"Manage Messages required"#
You need the Manage Messages permission in the channel you're pruning, from a role or from that channel's permission overrides.
"Buddy can't prune here"#
Give Buddy Manage Messages, View Channel and Read Message History in that channel (check the channel's permission overrides too). The problem is also recorded under Bot errors on your dashboard home page.
Fewer messages were deleted than I asked for#
Messages older than 14 days can't be bulk deleted, so Buddy skips them. Delete those by hand.
"Prune failed"#
Usually Buddy can't read the channel's history. Check Buddy has View Channel and Read Message History in that channel, then try again.
"Buddy is missing a permission"#
Buddy can't see or post in the channel you ran the command in. The card names what's missing: give Buddy View Channel and Send Messages there.