What is the GD Bot?
The GD Bot is a powerful tool that helps the GD community:
- Buy and sell design services safely through monitored channels
- Build reputation with a transparent review system
- Earn skill-based ranks through democratic peer review
- Prevent scams by keeping all transactions visible to staff
Marketplace System
The marketplace lets you hire designers or offer your services in a safe, monitored environment.
For Buyers
Creating a Buy Listing
Step 1: Start the Process
Go to the #market-guide channel and click the "Open Request" button.
Step 2: Complete the Wizard
The bot will DM you with a step-by-step wizard that asks for:
- Scope: Full-time, part-time, or one-time project
- Budget: Minimum $25 (you can specify a range like
50-150) - Categories: Pick up to 2 categories (Branding, Web Design, UI, etc.)
- Files: Upload up to 5 reference files (optional)
- Brief: Describe what you need (max 1024 characters)
- Deadline: When you need it done (optional)
Step 3: Publish
Review your listing and click "Publish".
Your listing will appear in #buying and a private job channel will be created where designers can apply!
What Happens Next?
- Designers will click "Apply to Job" on your listing
- They'll be added to your job channel where they can introduce themselves
- You can see their stats (ratings, completed jobs) when they apply
- Review all applicants and choose the best fit
Choosing a Designer
When you're ready to work with someone:
This will:
- Remove all other applicants from the channel
- Mark the job as "in progress"
- Let you discuss details privately with your chosen designer
Completing a Job
When the work is done:
This will:
- Mark the job as complete
- Prompt both you and the designer to leave reviews
- Archive the channel after 24 hours
For Sellers
Creating a Sell Listing
Step 1: Start the Process
Go to #market-guide and click "Open Request".
Step 2: Select "Sell Services"
The bot will ask for:
- Skills: Pick up to 3 skills you offer
- Rates: How you charge (hourly, per project, negotiable, etc.)
- Expertise: Describe what makes you unique (max 1024 characters)
- Availability: Full-time, part-time, one-time, or any
- Portfolio: Share up to 5 portfolio links
- Work Samples: Upload up to 5 images (optional)
Step 3: Review and Publish
Your listing will appear in #selling where buyers can inquire about your services.
Applying to Jobs
When you see a buy listing you're interested in:
- Click "Apply to Job" on the listing
- You'll be added to the job channel
- Introduce yourself! Explain why you're a great fit for the project
Important Limits:
- 2 active applications at a time
- 4 applications per week (resets every Monday)
- Boosters get more: 3 active, 6 per week
Tips for Success
Managing Jobs
Withdrawing an Application
If you need to withdraw from a job you applied to:
Use this command in the job channel. This frees up one of your application slots.
Editing Your Listing
To edit your listing after publishing:
Example:
You can edit: Brief/Expertise, Deadline, Budget amounts, Rate amounts
Canceling Your Listing
To cancel a listing:
Example:
This will close the listing and archive the job channel.
Viewing a Listing
To see details of any listing:
Reviews & Ratings
After completing a job, both parties can leave reviews.
Rating Scale
Poor
Major issues
Below Average
Significant problems
Average
Met basic expectations
Good
Exceeded expectations
Excellent
Outstanding experience
Leaving a Review
After a job is marked complete, you'll receive a DM asking you to rate your experience. You can:
- Select a star rating (1-5)
- Add an optional written comment (max 500 characters)
- Or skip the review
Viewing Reviews
To see someone's reviews:
To see your own reviews:
This shows: Average rating, Total number of reviews, Rating breakdown, Recent reviews with comments
Your Stats
To view your marketplace statistics:
This shows: Your average rating, Number of reviews, Completed jobs, Active applications, Weekly application count
Ranking System
The GD Ranking System recognizes your skill level through democratic peer review. Your rank isn't decided by staff—it's determined by the collective judgment of ranked community members.
The Five Ranks
Novice
Just starting out, learning the fundamentals
Competent
Solid foundation, beginning professional work
Skilled
Versatile professional handling complex projects
Specialist
Expert sought after for unique skills
Master
Exceptional talent setting industry standards
The Process
- You submit your portfolio and background
- Ranked members review and vote on your skill level
- First rank to receive 3 qualifying votes wins
- You're notified of the outcome via DM
What are "Qualifying Votes"?
A vote only counts if the voter is at or above the rank they're voting for.
Examples:
- A Skilled member can vote for Novice, Competent, or Skilled
- A Competent member can vote for Novice or Competent
- Only Masters can vote for Master rank
Opinion Votes: Lower-ranked members can still express their opinion, but it won't affect the outcome.
Applying for a Rank
Before You Apply
Cooldown:
You can only apply once every 3 months
Starting Your Application
Step 1: Click the Button
Go to #rank-application and click "Apply For Rank".
Step 2: Complete the Wizard
The bot will DM you with a wizard that asks:
- Welcome & Introduction — Confirm you understand the process
- Occupation — Hobbyist, freelancer, or agency/company?
- Experience — How long have you been designing?
- Portfolio — Share up to 5 portfolio links, upload up to 10 work samples
- Preview & Submit — Review your application and submit
Step 3: Wait for Voting
Your application appears in #rank-voting where ranked members can vote!
What Happens Next?
- Ranked members will review your portfolio
- They'll vote on what rank they think you deserve
- The first rank to get 3 qualifying votes wins
- You'll be notified via DM when a decision is made
- The rank role will be automatically assigned to you
Master Rank Special Process
If you receive 3 votes for Master rank:
- A private verification channel is created
- You'll be asked to verify portfolio ownership
- Staff will review your verification
- If approved, you receive the Master rank
- If denied, you may receive the next highest voted rank
This extra step ensures the Master rank (top 1% of members) maintains its prestige.
Voting on Applications
If you're already ranked, you can vote on applications in #rank-voting.
How to Vote
- Review the application embed (portfolio links, experience, work samples)
- Use the dropdown menu to select: Novice, Competent, Skilled, Specialist, Master, or Deny
- Your vote is recorded and displayed on the application
Voting Guidelines
Vote based on:
- Portfolio quality and presentation
- Range and versatility of work
- Professional experience level
- Technical skill and execution
- Design fundamentals and theory
Don't vote based on:
- Personal relationships
- Popularity
- How much you like the person
- Unrelated factors
Denial Votes
Any ranked member can vote to Deny an application. This is for:
- Portfolios that don't meet minimum standards
- Suspected stolen work
- Inappropriate submissions
- Clear misrepresentation of skill
When 3 denial votes are reached, a discussion thread is created where voters explain their reasoning. This helps applicants understand what to improve.
Commands Reference
User Commands
These commands are available to everyone:
| Command | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
/help [topic] | Show help information | /help |
/reviews [@user] | View reviews for yourself or someone else | /reviews @designer |
/mystats | View your marketplace statistics | /mystats |
/listing view <id> | View details of a listing | /listing view 4770 |
/listing edit <id> | Edit your listing | /listing edit 4770 |
/listing cancel <id> | Cancel your listing | /listing cancel 4770 |
/choose @user | Choose an applicant (in job channel) | /choose @designer |
/complete | Mark a job as complete (in job channel) | /complete |
/withdraw | Withdraw your application (in job channel) | /withdraw |
Staff Commands
These commands require the Staff role:
Review Management
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
/admin review hide <id> <reason> | Hide a review from public view |
/admin review unhide <id> | Restore a hidden review |
/admin review edit <id> <field> <value> | Edit a review's rating or comment |
/admin review delete <id> | Permanently delete a review |
Listing Management
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
/admin listing close <id> <reason> | Force close a listing |
/admin listing extend <id> <days> | Extend listing expiration |
User Management
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
/admin user ban @user <reason> | Ban user from marketplace |
/admin user unban @user | Remove marketplace ban |
/admin user reset-limits @user | Reset application limits |
Admin Commands (Ranking System)
These commands require Manage Roles permission:
Application Management
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
/rank deny <app_id> <reason> | Instantly deny an application |
/rank reinstate <app_id> | Reinstate a denied application |
/rank close <app_id> <reason> | Force-close an application |
Verification (Master Rank)
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
/rank verify approve <app_id> | Approve Master verification |
/rank verify deny <app_id> [reason] | Deny Master verification |
Cooldown Management
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
/rank cooldown reset @user <reason> | Reset user's cooldown |
/rank cooldown check @user | Check cooldown status |
Manual Rank Management
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
/rank grant @user <rank> <reason> | Manually grant a rank |
/rank remove @user <reason> | Remove a user's rank |
Information & Statistics
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
/rank history @user | View user's application history |
/rank stats | View ranking system statistics |
/rank pending | List all pending applications |
/rank setup | Post rank application embed |
Important Rules
Marketplace Rules
1. All communication MUST stay in job channels
- Never DM about marketplace transactions
- Staff can see job channels to protect everyone
- Breaking this rule results in a ban
2. Be honest and professional
- Deliver what you promise
- Communicate clearly and promptly
- Treat others with respect
3. Respect application limits
- Don't spam applications
- Withdraw from jobs you can't complete
- Quality over quantity
4. Reviews are permanent
- Think carefully before leaving a review
- Be fair and constructive
- Staff can hide inappropriate reviews
Ranking Rules
1. One application per cooldown period
- 3-month cooldown between applications
- No exceptions without staff approval
2. Submit only your own work
- Stolen or misrepresented work = permanent ban
- Be honest about your skill level
3. Vote honestly and fairly
- Base votes on skill, not popularity
- Don't vote for friends just to help them
- Abuse of voting privileges = rank removal
4. Master verification is required
- Must verify portfolio ownership
- Must be responsive during verification
- Failure to verify = denial
FAQ
Marketplace
Q: How long do listings stay active?
A: Regular listings expire in 5 days. Booster listings expire in 7 days. Listings are extended when applicants join.
Q: Can I have multiple active listings?
A: You can have 1 active buy listing at a time (2 if you have an ongoing job). Sell listings have different limits.
Q: What if I'm not happy with the work?
A: Communicate issues in the job channel where staff can see. If there's a dispute, staff can mediate.
Q: Can I edit my listing after publishing?
A: Yes! Use /listing edit <id> to change the brief, budget, deadline, or rates.
Q: What happens if a channel is inactive?
A: After 48 hours of inactivity, you'll get a warning. If no response within 24 hours, the listing auto-closes.
Q: Do boosters get special perks?
A: Yes! Boosters get:
- Badge on listings
- 7-day expiration (vs 5 days)
- 3 active applications (vs 2)
- 6 weekly applications (vs 4)
Rankings
Q: How long does voting take?
A: Applications can take up to 5 days. Most receive a decision within 2-3 days.
Q: What if I don't get 3 votes?
A: After 5 days, you'll be notified. You can reapply after your cooldown period with an improved portfolio.
Q: Can I apply for a specific rank?
A: No, the community decides your rank through voting. You can't choose which rank you want.
Q: What if I disagree with my rank?
A: You can reapply after the 3-month cooldown period. Use the time to improve your portfolio.
Q: Can I lose my rank?
A: Staff can remove ranks for rule violations or inactivity. Otherwise, ranks are permanent.
Q: How do I increase my chances of getting a higher rank?
- Show your best work
- Demonstrate variety and range
- Present your portfolio professionally
- Include work that shows complexity and skill
- Be honest about your experience
Q: What's the difference between a qualifying vote and an opinion vote?
A: Qualifying votes count toward the 3-vote threshold. Opinion votes are visible but don't affect the outcome. You can only cast qualifying votes for ranks at or below your own level.
Quick Tips for Success
For Buyers
- Write detailed briefs
- Set realistic budgets
- Check designer reviews before choosing
- Communicate expectations clearly
- Leave honest reviews
For Sellers
- Keep your portfolio updated
- Apply to jobs that match your skills
- Respond quickly to messages
- Deliver quality work on time
- Build your reputation through reviews
For Rank Applicants
- Show your absolute best work
- Organize your portfolio professionally
- Be honest about your experience
- Be patient during voting
- Learn from feedback if denied
For Voters
- Review portfolios thoroughly
- Vote based on skill, not popularity
- Be fair and objective
- Provide constructive feedback in denial threads
- Help maintain the integrity of the ranking system
Need Help?
If you have questions or issues:
- Check this guide first
- Use
/helpfor quick reference - Ask in the appropriate support channel
- Contact staff for serious issues
Remember: The GD Bot exists to protect everyone and build a trusted community. Follow the rules, be professional, and help make GD the best design community on Discord!
