Getting started with C++ and the Discord Social SDK

Overview

This guide will walk you through integrating the Discord Social SDK into a new standalone C++ project. By the end, you’ll have an application that can:

Authenticate users with Discord
Set up logging and status monitoring
Start the SDK and establish a connection
Request the number of Discord friends the player has
Set the player’s rich presence for your game

Prerequisites

Make sure you have:

Basic understanding of C++ and your platform’s build system
A C++ compiler and build system that supports C++17 or greater
A network connection that can access Discord’s API endpoints
A Discord application created in the Developer Portal

Step 1: Create your Discord application

Go to the Discord Developer Portal and click New Application.
Give your application a name and click Create.
Copy your Application ID — you’ll need it in the code.

Step 2: Configure OAuth2 redirect URIs

In your application settings, click OAuth2 in the sidebar.
Under Redirects, add http://127.0.0.1/callback.
Click Save Changes.

Step 3: Enable public client (optional)

If your application does not have a backend server, enable Public Client in the OAuth2 settings. This allows the SDK’s Client::GetToken method to exchange authorization codes for access tokens client-side.

Review OAuth2 client type security tradeoffs with your security team before enabling Public Client for production builds. See OAuth2 client types for details.

Step 4: Download the Discord SDK for C++

In your application settings, click Downloads under the Discord Social SDK section in the sidebar.
Select the latest version from the dropdown and download the SDK for C++.

Runtime dependencies

When shipping with the Social SDK, bundle the appropriate runtime dependencies:

Windows: discord_partner_sdk.dll must be in your executable directory.
Linux/macOS: libdiscord_partner_sdk.so / libdiscord_partner_sdk.dylib must be accessible via LD_LIBRARY_PATH or placed next to your binary.

Step 5: Project setup

Set up a new C++ project with CMake:

mkdir MyGame
cd MyGame
mkdir lib

Unzip the Social SDK archive into the lib directory. You should end up with a discord_social_sdk folder under lib. Create a CMakeLists.txt file in the MyGame directory:

cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.10)
project(DiscordSDKExample)

set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 17)
set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD_REQUIRED True)

add_executable(DiscordSDKExample main.cpp)

# Define Social SDK variables
set(DISCORD_SDK_ROOT "${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/lib/discord_social_sdk")
set(DISCORD_SDK_LIB_DIR "${DISCORD_SDK_ROOT}/lib/release")
set(DISCORD_SDK_BIN_DIR "${DISCORD_SDK_ROOT}/bin/release")
set(DISCORD_SDK_INCLUDE_DIR "${DISCORD_SDK_ROOT}/include")

target_include_directories(DiscordSDKExample PRIVATE ${DISCORD_SDK_INCLUDE_DIR})

if(WIN32)
    set(DISCORD_LIB_PATH "${DISCORD_SDK_LIB_DIR}/discord_partner_sdk.lib")
    set(DISCORD_SHARED_LIB "${DISCORD_SDK_BIN_DIR}/discord_partner_sdk.dll")
elseif(APPLE)
    set(DISCORD_LIB_PATH "${DISCORD_SDK_LIB_DIR}/libdiscord_partner_sdk.dylib")
    set(DISCORD_SHARED_LIB "${DISCORD_SDK_LIB_DIR}/libdiscord_partner_sdk.dylib")
else()
    set(DISCORD_LIB_PATH "${DISCORD_SDK_LIB_DIR}/libdiscord_partner_sdk.so")
    set(DISCORD_SHARED_LIB "${DISCORD_SDK_LIB_DIR}/libdiscord_partner_sdk.so")
endif()

target_link_libraries(DiscordSDKExample PRIVATE ${DISCORD_LIB_PATH})

if(UNIX)
    set(CMAKE_BUILD_WITH_INSTALL_RPATH TRUE)
    set(CMAKE_INSTALL_RPATH "$ORIGIN")
    if(APPLE)
        set(CMAKE_INSTALL_RPATH "@executable_path")
    endif()
endif()

add_custom_command(TARGET DiscordSDKExample POST_BUILD
    COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E copy_if_different
    "${DISCORD_SHARED_LIB}"
    $<TARGET_FILE_DIR:DiscordSDKExample>
)

Create a main.cpp file with a basic client setup:

#define DISCORDPP_IMPLEMENTATION
#include "discordpp.h"
#include <iostream>
#include <thread>
#include <atomic>
#include <csignal>

// Replace with your Discord Application ID
const uint64_t APPLICATION_ID = 123456789012345678;

std::atomic<bool> running = true;

void signalHandler(int signum) {
    running.store(false);
}

int main() {
    std::signal(SIGINT, signalHandler);
    std::cout << "Initializing Discord SDK...\n";

    auto client = std::make_shared<discordpp::Client>();

    while (running) {
        std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(10));
    }

    return 0;
}

Build and run:

mkdir build && cd build
cmake ..
cmake --build .
./DiscordSDKExample

Step 6: Set up SDK event handling

Add callbacks to monitor what’s happening with your Discord connection.

Adding logging support

client->AddLogCallback([](auto message, auto severity) {
    std::cout << "[" << EnumToString(severity) << "] " << message << std::endl;
}, discordpp::LoggingSeverity::Info);

Monitoring connection status

client->SetStatusChangedCallback([client](discordpp::Client::Status status,
    discordpp::Client::Error error, int32_t errorDetail) {
    std::cout << "Status changed: " << discordpp::Client::StatusToString(status) << std::endl;

    if (status == discordpp::Client::Status::Ready) {
        std::cout << "Client is ready!\n";
    } else if (error != discordpp::Client::Error::None) {
        std::cerr << "Connection Error: " << discordpp::Client::ErrorToString(error)
                  << " - Details: " << errorDetail << std::endl;
    }
});

Most Discord features won’t work until the status is Client::Status::Ready. The status callback tells you exactly when you can start using them.

Step 7: Run callbacks

Add RunCallbacks to your main event loop so the SDK can process events:

while (running) {
    discordpp::RunCallbacks();
    std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(10));
}

Step 8: Account linking with Discord

Implement OAuth2 authentication to connect users with their Discord accounts.

This guide uses Client::GetDefaultPresenceScopes, which requests the openid and sdk.social_layer_presence scopes. These enable core features like account linking, friends list, and rich presence.If your game also needs lobbies, voice chat, or direct messaging, use Client::GetDefaultCommunicationScopes instead. See the OAuth2 scopes guide for details.

// Generate OAuth2 code verifier for PKCE security
auto codeVerifier = client->CreateAuthorizationCodeVerifier();

discordpp::AuthorizationArgs args{};
args.SetClientId(APPLICATION_ID);
args.SetScopes(discordpp::Client::GetDefaultPresenceScopes());
args.SetCodeChallenge(codeVerifier.Challenge());

client->Authorize(args, [client, codeVerifier](auto result, auto code, auto redirectUri) {
    if (!result.Successful()) {
        std::cerr << "Authorization Error: " << result.Error() << std::endl;
        return;
    }

    std::cout << "Authorization successful! Getting access token...\n";

    client->GetToken(APPLICATION_ID, code, codeVerifier.Verifier(), redirectUri,
        [client](discordpp::ClientResult result,
            std::string accessToken,
            std::string refreshToken,
            discordpp::AuthorizationTokenType tokenType,
            int32_t expiresIn,
            std::string scope) {
            std::cout << "Access token received!\n";
            // Next step: update the token and connect
        });
});

Never log or store access tokens insecurely. Treat them as sensitive credentials.

Step 9: Connect the SDK to Discord

Once you have the access token, update the SDK and connect to Discord:

client->UpdateToken(discordpp::AuthorizationTokenType::Bearer, accessToken,
    [client](discordpp::ClientResult result) {
        if (result.Successful()) {
            std::cout << "Token updated, connecting to Discord...\n";
            client->Connect();
        }
    });

Watch for these status messages in order:

Status changed: Connecting
Status changed: Connected
Status changed: Ready
Client is ready!

Step 10: Access Discord relationships

When the client is ready, retrieve the user’s friends list:

// Inside the status == Ready block
std::cout << "Friends Count: " << client->GetRelationships().size() << std::endl;

Example output:

Friends Count: 42

Step 11: Set rich presence

Display your game’s activity on Discord using Rich Presence:

discordpp::Activity activity;
activity.SetType(discordpp::ActivityTypes::Playing);
activity.SetState("In Competitive Match");
activity.SetDetails("Rank: Diamond II");

client->UpdateRichPresence(activity, [](discordpp::ClientResult result) {
    if (result.Successful()) {
        std::cout << "Rich Presence updated successfully!\n";
    } else {
        std::cerr << "Rich Presence update failed\n";
    }
});

After running, check your Discord profile — you should see your game activity displayed.

Complete main.cpp

#define DISCORDPP_IMPLEMENTATION
#include "discordpp.h"
#include <iostream>
#include <thread>
#include <atomic>
#include <string>
#include <functional>
#include <csignal>

const uint64_t APPLICATION_ID = 123456789012345678;

std::atomic<bool> running = true;

void signalHandler(int signum) {
    running.store(false);
}

int main() {
    std::signal(SIGINT, signalHandler);
    std::cout << "Initializing Discord SDK...\n";

    auto client = std::make_shared<discordpp::Client>();

    client->AddLogCallback([](auto message, auto severity) {
        std::cout << "[" << EnumToString(severity) << "] " << message << std::endl;
    }, discordpp::LoggingSeverity::Info);

    client->SetStatusChangedCallback([client](discordpp::Client::Status status,
        discordpp::Client::Error error, int32_t errorDetail) {
        std::cout << "Status changed: " << discordpp::Client::StatusToString(status) << std::endl;

        if (status == discordpp::Client::Status::Ready) {
            std::cout << "Client is ready!\n";

            std::cout << "Friends Count: " << client->GetRelationships().size() << std::endl;

            discordpp::Activity activity;
            activity.SetType(discordpp::ActivityTypes::Playing);
            activity.SetState("In Competitive Match");
            activity.SetDetails("Rank: Diamond II");

            client->UpdateRichPresence(activity, [](discordpp::ClientResult result) {
                if (result.Successful()) {
                    std::cout << "Rich Presence updated successfully!\n";
                } else {
                    std::cerr << "Rich Presence update failed\n";
                }
            });

        } else if (error != discordpp::Client::Error::None) {
            std::cerr << "Connection Error: " << discordpp::Client::ErrorToString(error)
                      << " - Details: " << errorDetail << std::endl;
        }
    });

    auto codeVerifier = client->CreateAuthorizationCodeVerifier();

    discordpp::AuthorizationArgs args{};
    args.SetClientId(APPLICATION_ID);
    args.SetScopes(discordpp::Client::GetDefaultPresenceScopes());
    args.SetCodeChallenge(codeVerifier.Challenge());

    client->Authorize(args, [client, codeVerifier](auto result, auto code, auto redirectUri) {
        if (!result.Successful()) {
            std::cerr << "Authorization Error: " << result.Error() << std::endl;
            return;
        }

        client->GetToken(APPLICATION_ID, code, codeVerifier.Verifier(), redirectUri,
            [client](discordpp::ClientResult result,
                std::string accessToken,
                std::string refreshToken,
                discordpp::AuthorizationTokenType tokenType,
                int32_t expiresIn,
                std::string scope) {
                client->UpdateToken(discordpp::AuthorizationTokenType::Bearer, accessToken,
                    [client](discordpp::ClientResult result) {
                        if (result.Successful()) {
                            client->Connect();
                        }
                    });
            });
    });

    while (running) {
        discordpp::RunCallbacks();
        std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(10));
    }

    return 0;
}

Conclusion

You’ve successfully integrated the Discord Social SDK into a C++ application.

What you’ve built

A Discord application configured with OAuth2
SDK logging and status monitoring
User authentication flow with PKCE
Discord relationships data retrieval
Rich Presence support

Next steps

Creating a unified friends list

Build a unified friends list combining Discord and game-specific friendships.

Setting rich presence

Customize your game’s rich presence to show advanced information and game invites.

Managing lobbies

Bring players together in a shared lobby with text chat and voice communication.

Change log

Date	Changes
March 17, 2025	Initial release

Discord Social SDK

Social SDK Guides

Activities

Platform Features

Getting started with C++ and the Discord Social SDK

Overview

Prerequisites

Step 1: Create your Discord application

Step 2: Configure OAuth2 redirect URIs

Step 3: Enable public client (optional)

Step 4: Download the Discord SDK for C++

Runtime dependencies

Step 5: Project setup

Step 6: Set up SDK event handling

Adding logging support

Monitoring connection status

Step 7: Run callbacks

Step 8: Account linking with Discord

Step 9: Connect the SDK to Discord

Step 10: Access Discord relationships

Step 11: Set rich presence

Conclusion

What you’ve built

Next steps

Creating a unified friends list

Setting rich presence

Managing lobbies

Change log

Discord Social SDK

Social SDK Guides

Activities

Platform Features

​Overview

​Prerequisites

​Step 1: Create your Discord application

​Step 2: Configure OAuth2 redirect URIs

​Step 3: Enable public client (optional)

​Step 4: Download the Discord SDK for C++

​Runtime dependencies

​Step 5: Project setup

​Step 6: Set up SDK event handling

​Adding logging support

​Monitoring connection status

​Step 7: Run callbacks

​Step 8: Account linking with Discord

​Step 9: Connect the SDK to Discord

​Step 10: Access Discord relationships

​Step 11: Set rich presence

​Conclusion

​What you’ve built

​Next steps

Creating a unified friends list

Setting rich presence

Managing lobbies

​Change log

Overview

Prerequisites

Step 1: Create your Discord application

Step 2: Configure OAuth2 redirect URIs

Step 3: Enable public client (optional)

Step 4: Download the Discord SDK for C++

Runtime dependencies

Step 5: Project setup

Step 6: Set up SDK event handling

Adding logging support

Monitoring connection status

Step 7: Run callbacks

Step 8: Account linking with Discord

Step 9: Connect the SDK to Discord

Step 10: Access Discord relationships

Step 11: Set rich presence

Conclusion

What you’ve built

Next steps

Change log