diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6ad1dbc..025cba5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -29,10 +29,23 @@ A lightweight, secure, cloud-native ACP harness that bridges Discord and any [Ag
 
 ## Quick Start
 
-### 1. Create a Discord Bot
+### Prerequisites
+
+Before running openab, enable these in the [Discord Developer Portal](https://discord.com/developers/applications):
+
+1. **Bot → Privileged Gateway Intents**:
+   - ✅ Message Content Intent
+   - ✅ Server Members Intent
+2. **OAuth2 → URL Generator → Bot Permissions**:
+   - Send Messages, Embed Links, Attach Files
+   - Read Message History, Add Reactions
 
 See [docs/discord-bot-howto.md](docs/discord-bot-howto.md) for a detailed step-by-step guide.
 
+### 1. Create a Discord Bot
+
+Follow the [prerequisites](#prerequisites) above, then create your bot.
+
 ### 2. Install with Helm (Kiro CLI — default)
 
 ```bash
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index fd63b89..3898d16 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -6,11 +6,12 @@ mod format;
 mod reactions;
 mod stt;
 
+use serenity::gateway::GatewayError;
 use serenity::prelude::*;
 use std::collections::HashSet;
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::sync::Arc;
-use tracing::info;
+use tracing::{error, info};
 
 #[tokio::main]
 async fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
@@ -98,7 +99,25 @@ async fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     });
 
     info!("starting discord bot");
-    client.start().await?;
+    match client.start().await {
+        Err(serenity::Error::Gateway(GatewayError::DisallowedGatewayIntents)) => {
+            error!(
+                "Discord rejected privileged intents. \
+                 Enable MESSAGE CONTENT INTENT at: \
+                 https://discord.com/developers/applications → Bot → Privileged Gateway Intents"
+            );
+            std::process::exit(1);
+        }
+        Err(serenity::Error::Gateway(GatewayError::InvalidAuthentication)) => {
+            error!(
+                "Discord rejected bot token. \
+                 Verify your bot_token in config.toml is correct and has not been reset."
+            );
+            std::process::exit(1);
+        }
+        Err(e) => return Err(e.into()),
+        Ok(_) => {}
+    }
 
     // Cleanup
     cleanup_handle.abort();