DiscordChatExporter is an open-source tool designed to export chats as HTML, CSV, JSON or Plain Text. It can be used for archiving and offline analysis of conversations in an investigation context.
It comes as a command-line interface or a graphical interface and allows users to export messages from various sources: Discord's direct messages, group chats, servers' channels and threads.
The GUI allows you to list and select the threads to export (We use this example to show you how the tool works. It is not allowed to archive Bellingcat's Discord).
The CLI is more configurable but needs familiarity with command-line tools
Some features include:
Filtering Options: by date ranges, keywords, user or message type (only export pinned messages for example)
Selecting multiple threads to export at once
Support for Markdown, reactions and attachments
The CLI version can be used to schedule exports
Exporting comes up with various options ((We use this example to show you how the tool works. It is not allowed to archive Bellingcat's Discord).
Cost
The tool is free and open-source.
Level of difficulty
GUI is beginner-friendly. CLI requires command-line familiarity. Both versions need a Discord Account and an API Token.
Requirements
Platform support: Windows, Linux, MacOS. Also available as a Docker Image.
Discord Account Token:
Personal Token: Obtained from browser developer tools.
Access Limitations: Only exports content accessible by the logged-in account or authorized bot.
Terms of Service Compliance (Important): Automating personal accounts is against Discord's Terms of Service and may result in account termination. Carefully consider ethical and legal questions before you decide to use the tool.
Bot Tokens limitations: The use of bots requires some knowledge on the Discord Developer API. It can limit the tool's functionality to servers.
Unavailable features: Exporting a forum thread is currently not implemented in the GUI version.
Ethical Considerations
Consider consulting your organization’s legal team to discuss Discord's Terms of Service and other legal and ethical questions before using this tool.
Only export chats you have permission to access; unauthorized exporting may violate privacy laws.
Consider anonymizing data if used for public work.
