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

# DM Welcome Messages

> Automatically welcome new members via direct message

Send personalized welcome messages to new members when they join your Discord server.

## What Are DM Welcome Messages?

When a new member joins your server, TicketCord can:

* Send them a direct message automatically
* Welcome them to your community
* Provide helpful links and information
* Explain how to get support

## Setting Up DM Welcome

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Settings">
    Dashboard → Configuration → Welcome Messages
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable DM Welcome">
    Toggle **DM Welcome** on
  </Step>

  <Step title="Customize Message">
    Write your welcome message
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Embed (Optional)">
    Create a rich embed for the message
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    DM welcome is now active
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Message Configuration

### Plain Text Message

Simple text-only welcome:

```
Welcome to our server, {{user}}!

We're glad to have you here. If you need any help, 
just open a ticket by clicking the button in #support.

Enjoy your stay!
```

### Rich Embed

Create a visually appealing embed:

| Field           | Purpose                     |
| --------------- | --------------------------- |
| **Title**       | Headline (e.g., "Welcome!") |
| **Description** | Main welcome text           |
| **Color**       | Sidebar color               |
| **Thumbnail**   | Server logo                 |
| **Fields**      | Links, rules, info          |
| **Footer**      | Additional note             |

## Available Variables

Personalize messages with variables:

| Variable           | Replaced With        |
| ------------------ | -------------------- |
| `{{user}}`         | New member's name    |
| `{{user_mention}}` | @mention of member   |
| `{{server}}`       | Server name          |
| `{{member_count}}` | Current member count |
| `{{date}}`         | Current date         |

### Example with Variables

```
Welcome to {{server}}, {{user}}! 🎉

You're member #{{member_count}}!

Need help? Just open a support ticket and our team will assist you.
```

## Embed Design

### Using Embed Designer

1. Click **Create Embed** in welcome settings
2. Design your embed visually
3. Preview how it looks
4. Save when satisfied

### Sample Welcome Embed

```
╔═══════════════════════════════════════╗
║  🎉 Welcome to Awesome Community!     ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════╣
║  Hey {{user}}!                        ║
║                                       ║
║  Thanks for joining us. Here are      ║
║  some helpful links to get started:   ║
║                                       ║
║  📜 Rules: #rules                     ║
║  💬 Chat: #general                    ║
║  🎫 Support: #support                 ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════╣
║  Need help? Open a ticket anytime!    ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════╝
```

## Delivery Options

### Timing

Configure when the message sends:

| Option        | Description               |
| ------------- | ------------------------- |
| **Immediate** | Send as soon as they join |
| **Delayed**   | Wait X seconds/minutes    |

<Tip>
  A small delay (10-30 seconds) can feel more natural than instant messages.
</Tip>

### Conditions

Optionally send only if:

* Member accepts rules (if using Discord's rules screening)
* Member has verified email
* Member is not a bot

## Handling Failures

### Why DMs Might Fail

DMs can fail to deliver if:

* User has DMs disabled from server members
* User blocked the bot
* Discord rate limits

### Fallback Options

When DM fails:

| Option              | Description               |
| ------------------- | ------------------------- |
| **None**            | Do nothing                |
| **Channel Message** | Post in a channel instead |
| **Log**             | Record failure for review |

## Best Practices

<Tip>
  **Keep It Brief**
  Long messages feel overwhelming. Stick to essentials.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  **Be Helpful**
  Include useful links: rules, FAQ, support channel.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  **Don't Spam**
  One welcome message is enough. Avoid multiple messages.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  **Test It**
  Send yourself a test message to verify formatting.
</Tip>

## Example Messages

### Simple Welcome

```
Welcome to our community, {{user}}! 

If you need any help, head to #support and click the button to open a ticket.
```

### Detailed Welcome

```
Welcome to {{server}}, {{user}}! 🎉

Here's everything you need to get started:

📋 Read the rules in #rules
💬 Introduce yourself in #introductions  
❓ Ask questions in #general
🎫 Need support? Open a ticket in #support

Our team is here to help. Enjoy your stay!
```

### Support-Focused

```
Hi {{user}}, welcome!

Quick tip: If you ever need help, just head to #support and click "Create Ticket". 

Our team typically responds within a few hours.

Have a great time here!
```

## Monitoring

### Delivery Stats

Track welcome message performance:

* Messages sent
* Delivery failures
* Failure reasons

### Review Logs

View recent welcome activities:

* Who received messages
* When sent
* Delivery status

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Messages not sending">
    Check that DM Welcome is enabled and your bot has proper permissions.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="High failure rate">
    Many users disable DMs from server members. Consider a fallback channel message.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Message looks wrong">
    Preview your message before enabling. Check variable syntax.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Card title="Need Help?" icon="headset" href="https://ticketcord.net/discord">
  Questions about DM welcome? Join our Discord
</Card>