Getting Started
Set up ControlArk in minutes
Follow this guide to get ControlArk running on your Discord server — from adding the bot to delivering your first shop order.
Add the Bot to Your Server
Invite ControlArk to your Discord server with the correct permissions.
- Join the ControlArk Discord and request a bot invite link in the support channel.
- Select the Discord server you want to add ControlArk to and authorise the permissions.
- Once added, slash commands will be available in your server immediately.
Required bot permissions: Send Messages, Embed Links, Use Application Commands, Read Message History, Create Public Threads, Send Messages in Threads, Manage Messages, Attach Files, and the ability to DM server members for order notifications.
Connect Your Nitrado Account
ControlArk uses a Nitrado Long-Life Token to access your game services directly from Discord — no FTP or manual files needed.
- Go to the Nitrado Developer Portal and navigate to Developer Portal → Long Life Tokens.
- Create a new token and enable the
serviceanduser_infoscopes. - Copy the token — you will only see it once.
- In Discord, run
/configurateand select Connections. - Click Add and paste your token when prompted.
- ControlArk will verify the token and automatically detect all ARK game services on your Nitrado account.
Never share your token. It grants API access to your Nitrado services. You can revoke it from the Nitrado Developer Portal at any time. Only the service and user_info scopes are required — do not grant additional scopes.
Configure Features
Run /configurate to enable and configure each feature for your server — everything is done from Discord.
The /configurate command opens the main configuration menu. Each feature shows its current status and can be toggled and configured without leaving Discord.
Set a Discord forum channel, select which servers to stream, and logs are automatically organised into threads by category — chat, kills, tribe events, admin commands, and joins/leaves.
Enable any of the six detection systems: alt accounts, admin commands, explorer notes, illegal names, name spoofing, and chat keyword filter — each configured with its own alert channel.
Set stat thresholds per creature species. Alerts fire to a Discord webhook when a qualifying wild dino is spotted on your server.
Use /track to watch specific players across all your servers. Alerts fire via webhook whenever they connect or disconnect.
Set a channel to display a live updating player list — shows who's online across each server, refreshed automatically.
Grant specific Discord users access to bot features from the dashboard under Configuration → Permissions — without giving them Discord administrator.
Set Up the Ingame Shop
Enable the shop, select your template, build your packs, and go live.
In Discord, run /configurate and select Ingame Shop. Enable it and choose which server it runs on.
Go to the dashboard → your server → Shop → Packs. Click New Pack. Use the pack builder to add items, set quantities, quality, blueprint variants, creatures, costumes, and pricing. Organise packs into categories for your public store.
Go to Shop → Store in the dashboard to set a store name, description, and banner. Your public store will be accessible at controlark.net/store/your-server-id — share this link with your players. No login required to browse.
Use /credits give @user amount in Discord to give players credits to spend in the shop. Players can check their balance with /credits balance and view their transaction history with /credits history.
When an order is placed, a room is assigned and the player receives a Discord DM with the room number and PIN. Items are then delivered automatically on the schedule your server admin has configured. No admin action is needed — the entire process is automated.
Stuck or have questions?
Join the Discord — we're active and happy to help with any part of the setup.