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

# Join the Course Discord

> Join the course Discord server, set your nickname so staff can identify you, and find your section channel.

Discord is the primary channel for everything in this course: lecture questions, assignment help, office hours and announcements. Email is not monitored for course questions. Do this in the first week, before the first assignment is due.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Join the server">
    Open the invite and accept it:

    **[discord.gg/bs7Q4Dxc85](https://discord.gg/bs7Q4Dxc85)**

    Install Discord on your phone as well. Announcements about deadlines and exam logistics go out here, and you do not want to find out late.

    During joining you are asked which course and section you are in. Answer it. That answer is what gives you access to your section channel, and you will see almost nothing until you do.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set your nickname to First.Lastname">
    Your server nickname must be your real name in the form `First.Lastname`, for example `Ada.Lovelace`. Check yours and set it if it does not already read that way.

    This is not cosmetic. Staff have to match your Discord account to the class roster in order to answer a grading question, check a submission, or know who is asking in office hours. A nickname like `xX_gamer_Xx` means nobody can help you without a round of "who are you".

    On desktop, right-click the server name at the top of the channel list, choose **Edit Server Profile**, and set the nickname. On mobile, tap the server name, then the three-dot menu, then **Edit Server Profile**.

    <Note>
      Use the name your institution has on record. If you go by a different name day to day, use the roster name here so staff can find you, and say so in your section channel.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find your section channel">
    Section channels are named for the course, the modality and the term, for example `cs-6613-online-fall-2026`. You will only see the channel for the section you selected, which is intended: it keeps each section's discussion to the people in it.

    If you cannot see a section channel, you almost certainly skipped the section question when joining. Ask in the welcome channel and staff will sort it out.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Where to ask what

| Your question                                    | Where it goes                        |
| ------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------ |
| Anything about lectures, assignments or projects | Your section channel, in public      |
| Grading disputes, extensions, anything personal  | Open a ticket in the tickets channel |
| Arranging on-demand office hours                 | Direct message the instructor        |

Ask course questions in the open channel rather than by direct message. Someone else has the same question, the answer helps them too, and you will usually get a reply faster because any of the staff or your classmates can pick it up.

Ticket conversations stay private between you and the staff.

## Before you move on

* You are in the server and can see a section channel.
* Your nickname reads `First.Lastname`.
* Discord is installed on your phone with notifications on.

<Note>
  Assignment 1 checks that your nickname is set correctly. It is a small number of points and it costs you nothing to get right now.
</Note>

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Announcement text for Canvas and Brightspace">
    Copy the block below into a course announcement. Use the copy button in the top right of the block.

    ```text theme={null}
    Join the course Discord

    Discord is where all course communication happens: lecture questions, assignment
    help, office hours and announcements. Email is not monitored for course questions.

    1. Join here: https://discord.gg/bs7Q4Dxc85

    2. When you join you will be asked which course and section you are in.
       Answer it. That is what gives you access to your section channel.

    3. Check that your server nickname reads First.Lastname, for example
       Ada.Lovelace, and set it if it does not. Use the name the university has
       on record.

       Desktop: right-click the server name, choose Edit Server Profile.
       Mobile:  tap the server name, three-dot menu, Edit Server Profile.

       This matters because staff have to match your Discord account to the class
       roster to answer a grading question or check a submission. Assignment 1
       includes a small number of points for having it set correctly.

    4. Install Discord on your phone and leave notifications on. Deadline and exam
       announcements go out there.

    Ask course questions in your section channel rather than by direct message. You
    will get a faster answer and your classmates benefit from it. For grading
    disputes or anything personal, open a ticket in the tickets channel, which stays
    private between you and the staff.

    Full instructions: https://aegean.ai/aiml-common/resources/environment/discord-onboarding
    ```
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<Callout icon="pen-to-square" iconType="regular">
  [Edit this page on GitHub](https://github.com/aegean-ai/eaia/edit/main/src/aiml-common/resources/guides/discord-onboarding.mdx) or [file an issue](https://github.com/aegean-ai/eaia/issues/new/choose).
</Callout>