Desktop App

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discord2 min readCurated summary

*FLAILS AROUND* SUMMER SPECIAL! JOIN NITRO, GET AN EXTRA MONTH OF NITRO ON US!

Discord’s July 8, 2025 promotion offers eligible new Nitro subscribers a second month free when they start a monthly Nitro membership by July 15. The deal provides 60 days of standard Nitro for the price of 30 and expands availability to desktop, web, mobile web, and Android users. Eligibility depends on recent subscription history, location, payment method, and plan type. ## What Discord Nitro Includes - More emoji and stickers. - Additional profile customization options. - Higher-quality streaming. - Larger file-sharing limits. - Features available with standard Nitro rather than Nitro Basic. ## Promotion Details - Eligible users who begin a monthly Nitro subscription receive one extra month. - The offer is valid through July 15, 2025. - Users pay for the first 30 days and receive 30 additional days at no extra charge. - The promotion applies to new standard Nitro memberships, not Nitro Basic. ## Where to Claim the Offer - Desktop Discord: open the **Nitro** tab. - Android: go to **User Settings > Nitro**. - Mobile web and desktop web are also supported. - Qualified users will see a promotional offer page in the app. ## Eligibility Requirements Users must: - Not have had a Nitro subscription during the 10 days before claiming the promotion. - Be upgrading from Nitro Basic or Classic to standard Nitro, where applicable. - Live in a region included in the promotion. - Provide a valid payment method. - Sign up through desktop, web, mobile web, or Android. - Not already be an active Nitro member. Those who do not see the offer may be ineligible or may need to consult Discord’s Help Center for troubleshooting. The practical takeaway is that eligible users interested in standard Nitro should claim the offer before July 15, 2025, while checking the promotion page and regional eligibility first.

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discordOriginal article

STAR WARS™ Makes Its Way to Discord (opens in new tab)

Discord has partnered with Lucasfilm to introduce a new Star Wars themed collection of Avatar Decorations and Profile Effects to the platform's Shop. This collaboration draws inspiration from iconic cinematic moments, such as Darth Vader’s appearance in *Rogue One*, to offer high-quality customization options for fans. The release allows users to personalize their profiles with animations that celebrate the legacy of both the light and dark sides of the Force. **Collaborative Design and Inspiration** * The collection was developed through a direct collaboration between Discord’s in-house creative team and Lucasfilm to ensure authentic representation of the franchise. * Visual designs are intended to evoke specific emotional responses, such as the tension of a Sith Lord’s presence or the inspiration of heroic Jedi. * The "Darth Vader Arrives" profile effect specifically references the ominous red glow of the hallway scene from *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story*. **Available Decorations and Effects** * **Avatar Decorations**: The shop now includes specific frame animations such as two variants of Lightsabers, R2-D2 on Tatooine, a Space Battle, the Millennium Falcon Hyperdrive, Yoda on Dagobah, and a BB-8 animation. * **Profile Effects**: These full-profile animations feature specialized visuals including two variants of Lightsaber Mastery, Entering Hyperspace, and the Darth Vader Arrives effect. * These items are designed to fit seamlessly over standard Discord profile layouts to enhance user presence in group chats and servers. **Platform Integration and Access** * The Star Wars collection is accessible via the Discord Shop on desktop or through the "You" tab on the mobile application. * Discord Nitro members receive a specialized discount on all items within the collection, and these discounts also apply when purchasing decorations or effects as gifts for others. * Users requiring technical assistance with these new assets can refer to the platform's dedicated support documentation for troubleshooting. To explore these new customization options, users should navigate to the Discord Shop on their preferred device. Nitro subscribers should ensure they are logged in before purchasing to take advantage of the member-only pricing available for this limited collection.

discord2 min readCurated summary

Worthy of a Plaque: Nameplates Land in the Shop

Discord introduced **Nameplates**, a new Shop item that lets users personalize how their display name appears across Discord. Nameplates appear behind names in server member lists, DM list hover cards, and the User Settings bar, making profile customization visible in more places. They launched on April 22, 2025, with eight designs inspired by themes such as Cyberpunk, Galaxy, and Anime. ## Nameplate Features and Placement - Nameplates extend beyond the standard Discord profile. - They appear: - Behind display names in server member lists - When hovering over a name in the DM list - On the User Settings bar - Everyone can see equipped Nameplates on both desktop and mobile. ## Shop Availability and Designs - Nameplates are available through Discord’s Shop alongside Avatar Decorations and Profile Effects. - The initial collection includes eight designs based on popular Shop themes. - Users can preview Nameplates before purchasing to compare them with their existing profile style. ## Purchasing Details - Nameplates can be purchased through the desktop app or desktop web browser. - Nitro members receive a discount on all Shop items, including Nameplates. - Mobile purchasing support was planned for a future update, although purchased Nameplates remain visible on mobile. Users interested in expanding their Discord profile customization can browse and preview Nameplates in the Shop, with Nitro offering discounted purchases.

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discord2 min readCurated summary

MAJOR NEWS: DISCORD ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST IN-HOUSE AAAA VIDEO GAME, “THE LAST MEADOW”

Discord announced Big Wump Games, its new in-house studio, alongside its first “AAAA” title, *The Last Meadow*. The game stars Wumpus on a journey across dangerous plains, deserts, and frozen forests to reach the legendary meadow. It was playable directly in Discord from April 1–7, 2025, with a limited-time Avatar Decoration awarded to players who finished it. ## Big Wump Games and *The Last Meadow* - Discord introduced Big Wump Games as its first in-house game studio. - The studio’s debut release was described humorously as a “quadruple-A” game. - The announcement builds on Discord’s connection to the millions of users who play games with friends through the platform. ## Adventure and Gameplay - Players take on the role of Wumpus. - The quest involves: - Crossing perilous plains - Climbing desert cliffs - Traveling through frostbound forests - The objective is to reach the mythical Last Meadow, presented as an achievement no Discord user had completed before. ## Availability and Reward - The game could be played directly through Discord’s desktop app: - In User Settings - Through the provided “Play The Last Meadow” link - The game was available from April 1 through April 7, 2025. - Players who completed it by April 7 received an exclusive Avatar Decoration usable throughout April. Discord’s announcement presents *The Last Meadow* as a limited-time, playful expansion of its gaming identity. Interested users needed to play during the one-week window to claim the exclusive profile reward.

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discordOriginal article

Discord Update: March 25, 2025 Changelog (opens in new tab)

The Discord March 25, 2025, update focuses on a comprehensive modernization of the desktop client and its in-game integration capabilities. Through a modular overlay redesign and significant UI flexibility, the platform aims to enhance user agency and service reliability for its core gaming audience. ### Modular In-Game Overlay * The overlay has been transitioned to a widget-based system, allowing users to move and organize specific UI elements to suit different game genres. * New functional depth includes the ability to watch friend's streams or start a personal gameplay broadcast with a single click without leaving the game. * Native Soundboard support is now integrated directly into the overlay for immediate access during gameplay. * The update expands the library of supported games, ensuring notifications and widgets work across more titles. ### Desktop UI Refresh and Customization * Four new base themes—Light, Ash, Dark, and Onyx—have been introduced alongside three UI density options to adjust app spacing. * The interface has been decluttered by moving the Inbox to the title bar and centralizing voice and video call buttons into a single unified bar. * The channel list is now resizable, facilitating easier navigation for servers with long channel names. * Active camera status is now indicated by a persistent green button, providing better visual feedback when a user's video is live. ### Developer Integrations and Social Tools * A new API allows developers to implement Discord-powered text chat directly within their game clients, with initial support in titles like *Rust* and *Pax Dei*. * The "Ignore" feature provides a privacy layer that hides messages from specific users in DMs and servers without notifying the ignored party. * Discord’s App Launcher now includes "Spark: Hero Tactics," a new first-party deck-building battle game available on both desktop and mobile. ### Backend Reliability and API Deployment * Discord has overhauled its API deployment process to isolate and protect critical infrastructure from potential configuration errors. * This structural change is designed to minimize the frequency of outages and ensure that core messaging and voice services remain stable during maintenance cycles. To get the most out of this update, users should experiment with the new UI density settings to reclaim screen real estate and check the Overlay settings to configure their widget layout before their next gaming session.

discord2 min readCurated summary

Revamped Overlay & Refreshed Desktop Give Game Time a Boost

Discord’s March 25, 2025 update focuses on improving PC gaming through a redesigned Game Overlay and a refreshed desktop app. The new Overlay uses movable widgets, performs better, supports more games, and avoids directly hooking into game windows. Desktop users also gain expanded themes, density controls, resizable channel lists, and clearer voice and video controls. ## Redesigned Game Overlay - Rebuilt around individual widgets rather than replicating the full Discord interface. - Adds an action bar for: - Voice and video controls - One-click game streaming - Joining voice calls - Lets users watch friends’ game streams directly within the Overlay. - Widgets can be repositioned to suit different game types, including RTS and FPS games. - Improves performance by avoiding the previous direct game-window hooking approach. - Works with more titles, including more of Discord’s most-played games, while reducing conflicts with anti-cheat systems. ## Refreshed Desktop Customization - Adds four free base themes: - Light - Ash - Dark - Onyx - Introduces three UI density settings: - Spacious - Default - Compact - Makes the channel list resizable, helping users read longer channel names. - Refreshes colors and illustrations throughout the application. - Aims to improve legibility, reduce visual clutter, and create greater consistency between desktop and mobile. ## Improved Voice and Video Controls - Consolidates more call controls into a single, centralized bar. - Uses stronger visual indicators for device status: - A more prominent red glow when the microphone is muted - A green glow when the camera is active Discord says these changes are intended to make desktop gaming more convenient before, during, and after play, particularly since more than 72% of its users regularly game on PC. Users can adjust the new appearance settings through Discord’s support options and provide feedback through the company’s forums or social media.

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discord2 min readCurated summary

How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts on Discord & Create Custom Keybinds

Discord’s keyboard shortcuts let users manage messages, voice calls, and navigation without relying on a mouse. The desktop app supports several global shortcuts, while custom keybinds allow users to tailor controls to their hardware and habits. The post also highlights the Quick Switcher as a fast way to jump between servers, channels, and direct messages. ## Text Chat Shortcuts - **Ctrl/Cmd + E** opens the Emoji Picker. - **Ctrl/Cmd + S** opens the Sticker Picker. - **Ctrl/Cmd + G** opens the GIF Picker. - **Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + U** attaches a file. - Press **Tab**, use the arrow keys to select a message, then: - **E** or **Up Arrow** edits the last message. - **+** adds a reaction. - **Backspace** deletes the message. - **R** replies. - **P** pins it. - **F** forwards it. - Pressing **Up Arrow** directly edits the last message sent. ## Voice and Video Shortcuts Some voice controls work even when Discord is running in the background on the desktop app. - **Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + M** toggles mute. - **Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + D** toggles deafen. - **Ctrl/Cmd + Return** answers an incoming call. - **Esc** declines a call. - **Ctrl + ’** calls the currently viewed DM. - **Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Alt/Option + V** returns to an active voice call. - **Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + B** opens the Soundboard. ## Custom Keybinds Custom shortcuts are available under **User Settings > Keybinds** and cover voice features as well as navigation. - Toggle actions include mute, deafen, Voice Activity Detection, Streamer Mode, forward/back navigation, switching to the current voice channel, and disconnecting. - Hold-based actions include Push to Talk, Push to Mute, and Priority Push to Talk. - Priority Push to Talk lowers other participants’ volume while speaking. - Custom keybinds are especially useful for users with unusual or compact keyboards. ## Quick Switcher - Press **Ctrl/Cmd + K** to open the Quick Switcher. - Search across accessible servers, channels, DMs, and friends. - This provides rapid keyboard-based navigation without manually browsing Discord’s sidebar. Discord’s built-in shortcuts and customizable keybinds can make messaging, calls, and navigation significantly faster. Users should start with mute, deafen, Push to Talk, and Quick Switcher controls, then customize further based on their workflow.

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figma2 min readCurated summary

Updates to the Figma desktop app experience | Figma Blog

Figma’s March 2019 desktop app update focused on making the native experience more convenient and design-friendly. Users could make Figma links open directly in the desktop app, choose an sRGB color profile on macOS, and benefit from a more streamlined Windows interface. Together, these changes reduced workflow friction and created more usable canvas space. ## Opening Figma Links in the Desktop App - Figma URLs previously opened automatically in browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. - Users can now update the desktop app, click a Figma link, and select **“always open in the app.”** - This setting can be changed under a file’s preferences by disabling **“open links in desktop app.”** - Individual links can still be opened manually through the file menu when the browser remains the default. ## Color-Space Management on macOS - The Mac desktop app now allows users to choose between: - An unmanaged color profile based on the computer’s display settings - The sRGB color space - The sRGB option helps designers accurately evaluate web designs against the color appearance expected in browsers. - Windows support for color-space management was planned for a future release. ## Streamlined Windows Interface - Figma consolidated menu options and removed unnecessary interface elements. - The redesigned UI provides more room on the canvas for actual design work. - The update was intended to improve usability without changing the core desktop workflow. Figma recommended updating or downloading the latest desktop app to take advantage of these improvements, particularly for users who rely on desktop-based workflows or need more reliable color accuracy.

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