Discord Read Channel Skill

Read recent messages from a Discord channel using the existing Hermes bot token.

Usage

Call with: read discord channel <channel_id> [limit]

Parameters:

• channel_id (required): The numeric ID of the Discord channel to read
• limit (optional, default 50): Maximum number of messages to retrieve

Implementation

The script lives at /home/lumi/.hermes/scripts/read_discord_channel.py <channel_id> [limit]. It uses discord.py from the Hermes venv (it inserts the venv site-packages path itself).

The token is stored in /home/lumi/.hermes/.env as DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN.

How to actually run it

CRITICAL: The DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN is NOT available in execute_code sandboxes or in fresh terminal shells automatically. The .env file does NOT use export prefixes, so plain source sets variables but does NOT export them to child processes. You MUST use set -a to auto-export:

set -a && source /home/lumi/.hermes/.env && set +a && python3 /home/lumi/.hermes/scripts/read_discord_channel.py <channel_id> [limit]

DO NOT use execute_code — the Python sandbox does not inherit shell env vars. DO NOT use plain source /home/lumi/.hermes/.env — variables won't be exported to the python3 child process. DO use set -a && source ... && set +a to ensure export, then terminal tool.

Pitfalls

• The .env file masks the token in terminal output (shows MTM2Nz...dn4A), but the full token IS present and works fine. Don't let the ellipsis fool you.
• If the script says Error: DISCORD_BOT_TOKEN not set, plain source doesn't export variables — use set -a && source /home/lumi/.hermes/.env && set +a instead.
• execute_code Python sandbox lacks access to the token — always use terminal with source.
• cat /proc/<pid>/environ may not show Discord env vars if Hermes loads them at runtime internally rather than from shell env.
• The token in /home/lumi/.hermes/.env appears truncated when printed but is complete.

Example Output

{
  "channel": "🏠・lumi's-house",
  "messages": [
    {
      "id": "1489703331608789013",
      "author": "adora.witch",
      "author_id": "221767496145960960",
      "content": "Hi Lu, I see you looking in here now <3",
      "timestamp": "2026-04-03T19:09:11.605000+00:00",
      "attachments": [],
      "embeds": 0
    }
  ]
}

Requirements

• discord.py installed in the Hermes venv (already present)
• Bot has Read Messages and View Channel permissions
• Target channel accessible to the bot