Using the purge command to remove messages

The purge command is a level 2+ (trusted) command to remove messages matching one or more criteria.

This command is available in two modes. The shortcut mode and the custom mode. The shortcut mode allows you to remove certain types of messages easily, while the custom mode lets you choose messages to remove in a much more powerful and specific fashion.

Shortcut mode

General syntax: +purge [type of removal] <number of messages to search>

Embeds

Remove message that contains embeds:

Files

Remove messages with attachments linked to them.

Images

Remove messages containing images.

All

Remove any message. For example, to remove the last 10 messages, use +purge all 10

User

Remove messages from a specific user. For example, to remove the last 10 messages of @User, type +purge user @User 10

Contains

Remove messages containing a substring (at least 3 chars long). For example, to remove every message containing OwO, type +purge contains OwO

Bot

Remove messages from bots and bot commands. To remove messages from bots only, use +purge bot while you can use +purge bot + 35 to remove messages that either are from bots or start with + in the last 35 messages.

Emoji

Delete messages containing custom emojis.

Reactions

Remove reactions from messages that have them. This does not remove messages, just reactions.

Custom mode

Need more power to remove messages. Behold the custom mode!

This command uses a powerful "Command Line" syntax. Most options support multiple values to indicate 'any' match. If a value has spaces, it must, as always, be quoted. The messages are by-default deleted only if all options are met (AND). You can use the --orflag that will delete messages if any of the conditions is met.

The following options are valid. They all take arguments.

Option

Explanation

--user

A mention or a name of the user to

--contains

A substring to search for in the message

--starts

A substring that a message must start with

--ends

A substring that a message must end with

--search

The number of messages to search for on the channel. Default to 100, max is 2000.

--after

Messages must come after this message ID

--before

Messages must come before this message ID

You can also use the following flags, with no arguments.

Flag

Explanation

--bot

Check if the message author is a bot

--embeds

Check if the message contains an embed

--files

Check if the message contains files

--emoji

Check if the message has custom emojis

--reactions

Check if the messages has reactions

--or

Use the logical OR for all options

--and

Use the logical AND for all options (Default)

Here are some examples to get you started.

  • +purge custom --emoji --starts "lol" --starts "xd" Remove messages that contains custom emojis and start with lol or xd.

  • +purge custom --starts "Bonjour" --ends "au revoir" -- orRemove messages that start with "Bonjour" or end with "au revoir".

  • +purge custom --reactionsRemove messages that have been reacted to.

  • +purge custom --embeds --bot Remove messages from bots that also contain embeds.

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