> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://acoservice.gitbook.io/acoservice-documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://acoservice.gitbook.io/acoservice-documentation/running-your-aco/before-you-begin.md).

# Before you begin

The accounts, IDs, and permissions an owner needs before creating an ACO.

This is your checklist before you create an ACO in the [owner console](/acoservice-documentation/running-your-aco/creating-your-aco.md). Make sure you have all of these ready first. Missing any of them will block a later step.

## Accounts you need

| Account                                   | Why                                                                                                | Notes                                                                                                                |
| ----------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Discord**                               | The platform is Discord-first. Members sign in with Discord; the bot lives in your Discord server. | A regular Discord user account is enough.                                                                            |
| **Discord Developer Portal access**       | To register an OAuth application so members can sign in.                                           | Same Discord account, just visit [discord.com/developers/applications](https://discord.com/developers/applications). |
| **Stripe** *(optional but recommended)*   | For card payments.                                                                                 | You can launch with Zelle-only and add Stripe later.                                                                 |
| **Domain** *(optional)*                   | To use your own URL like `myaco.com` instead of `<slug>.acoservice.app`.                           | You'll add a CNAME in your DNS provider.                                                                             |
| **Email for the bot to use** *(optional)* | If you want the bot to send invoice emails as well as DMs.                                         | Most groups skip this and use DMs only.                                                                              |

## Things you need to know

* **Your Discord server's guild ID.** Right-click the server icon → Copy Server ID. (You'll need *Developer Mode* enabled in Discord settings: Settings → Advanced → Developer Mode.)
* **The Discord IDs of every admin** for your group (yourself + co-admins). Right-click the user → Copy User ID.
* **Where your checkouts come from.** What ACO bots run for your group? (Prism, Stellara, HiddenAIO, Shikari are supported out of the box.) The bot needs to read each of those webhook channels.
* **Roughly how many members** you'll have. Affects how aggressive you'll want to be with auto-accumulate and reminders.

## Permissions inside your Discord server

You must be the **server owner**, or be able to ask the owner to:

* Add a new bot to the server (only owners and admins can do this).
* Create or modify channel permissions.
* Create roles (specifically a role for the bot if it doesn't already have one).

If you're not the owner and the owner is hard to reach, do this step first — without the bot in the server, almost nothing will work.

## Decision points to think about now

* **Will you accept Stripe, Zelle, or both?** Members will see whichever you enable.
* **Will you use auto-accumulate?** When on, every successful checkout the bot sees turns into a tab entry priced from your product list. Most groups want this on; some want manual control.
* **Do you want one public feed channel** (members and visitors can see), **or a private one** (members only)? It's just channel permissions, but decide so you set the channel up right.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Ready to move on?** Next: create your ACO in the console, then come back to the [Discord application page](/acoservice-documentation/setting-up-your-tenant/discord-application.md).
{% endhint %}


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