diff --git a/apps/docs/providers/communications/discord.mdx b/apps/docs/providers/communications/discord.mdx
index 045eeaadb..6f4ec445a 100644
--- a/apps/docs/providers/communications/discord.mdx
+++ b/apps/docs/providers/communications/discord.mdx
@@ -38,15 +38,16 @@ After you save the bot token, the **Add to Discord** button appears in Roomote.
 Select it and choose the server. The generated installation link requests the
 permissions Roomote needs; administrator access is not required.
 
-For tasks started in a server, the bot needs permission to:
+For tasks started in a server, the bot needs these permissions:
 
-- view the channel and read message history
-- send messages and links
-- create public threads and send messages in threads
+- view channels
+- send messages
+- read message history
+- embed links
 - attach files
-
-Roomote also uses reactions for lightweight acknowledgements when the bot has
-permission to add them, but reactions are not required to run tasks.
+- create public threads
+- send messages in threads
+- add reactions
 
 A task started from a normal text or announcement channel runs in a public
 thread started on the message that requested it — like a threaded reply — so
diff --git a/apps/web/src/app/(onboarding)/setup/ProviderSetupInstructions.client.test.tsx b/apps/web/src/app/(onboarding)/setup/ProviderSetupInstructions.client.test.tsx
index 7efec1fef..62b94d901 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/app/(onboarding)/setup/ProviderSetupInstructions.client.test.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/app/(onboarding)/setup/ProviderSetupInstructions.client.test.tsx
@@ -12,6 +12,11 @@ describe('ProviderSetupInstructions', () => {
     );
 
     expect(screen.getByText('Installation permissions')).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(
+      screen.getByText(
+        /View Channels, Send Messages, Read Message History, Embed Links, Attach Files, Create Public Threads, Send Messages in Threads, and Add Reactions/i,
+      ),
+    ).toBeInTheDocument();
     expect(
       screen.getByText(/Add to Discord button appears and requests these/i),
     ).toBeInTheDocument();
diff --git a/apps/web/src/app/(onboarding)/setup/ProviderSetupInstructions.tsx b/apps/web/src/app/(onboarding)/setup/ProviderSetupInstructions.tsx
index c42956515..c170db0cb 100644
--- a/apps/web/src/app/(onboarding)/setup/ProviderSetupInstructions.tsx
+++ b/apps/web/src/app/(onboarding)/setup/ProviderSetupInstructions.tsx
@@ -167,10 +167,9 @@ export function ProviderSetupInstructions({
         </InstructionText>
         <InstructionText heading="Installation permissions">
           Roomote needs View Channels, Send Messages, Read Message History,
-          Embed Links, Attach Files, Create Public Threads, and Send Messages in
-          Threads. Add Reactions enables acknowledgements. After you save the
-          bot token, the Add to Discord button appears and requests these
-          permissions automatically.
+          Embed Links, Attach Files, Create Public Threads, Send Messages in
+          Threads, and Add Reactions. After you save the bot token, the Add to
+          Discord button appears and requests these permissions automatically.
         </InstructionText>
         <InstructionText heading="Bot token">
           Paste the token below. Roomote derives the bot and application names
diff --git a/packages/communication/src/__tests__/discord-provider.test.ts b/packages/communication/src/__tests__/discord-provider.test.ts
index 63f8581af..6bc3f1610 100644
--- a/packages/communication/src/__tests__/discord-provider.test.ts
+++ b/packages/communication/src/__tests__/discord-provider.test.ts
@@ -223,6 +223,16 @@ describe('DiscordCommunicationProvider', () => {
     ).resolves.toMatchObject({
       canUseChannel: true,
       missingPermissions: [],
+      requiredPermissions: expect.arrayContaining([
+        'view_channel',
+        'send_messages',
+        'read_message_history',
+        'embed_links',
+        'attach_files',
+        'add_reactions',
+        'create_public_threads',
+        'send_messages_in_threads',
+      ]),
       permissions: {
         view_channel: true,
         send_messages: true,
@@ -236,6 +246,37 @@ describe('DiscordCommunicationProvider', () => {
     });
   });
 
+  it('treats a denied add_reactions overwrite as missing required channel permission', async () => {
+    const { server, provider } = createHarness();
+    const channelId = '400000000000000001';
+    const addReactions = String(1n << 6n);
+    server.addChannel({
+      id: channelId,
+      guild_id: server.guildId,
+      name: 'no-reactions',
+      type: 0,
+      permission_overwrites: [
+        {
+          id: 'role-roomote',
+          type: 0,
+          allow: '0',
+          deny: addReactions,
+        },
+      ],
+    });
+
+    await expect(
+      provider.diagnoseChannelPermissions({
+        guildId: server.guildId,
+        channelId,
+      }),
+    ).resolves.toMatchObject({
+      canUseChannel: false,
+      missingPermissions: ['add_reactions'],
+      permissions: { add_reactions: false },
+    });
+  });
+
   it('applies the everyone overwrite separately from member role overwrites', async () => {
     const { server, provider } = createHarness();
     const channelId = '400000000000000001';
diff --git a/packages/communication/src/discord-provider.ts b/packages/communication/src/discord-provider.ts
index 5471c62b5..658c5a56f 100644
--- a/packages/communication/src/discord-provider.ts
+++ b/packages/communication/src/discord-provider.ts
@@ -1142,6 +1142,7 @@ export class DiscordCommunicationProvider implements CommunicationProviderAdapte
       'read_message_history',
       'embed_links',
       'attach_files',
+      'add_reactions',
     ];
     if (DISCORD_CHANNEL_TYPES_FORUM.has(channel.type)) {
       requiredPermissions.push('send_messages_in_threads');