diff --git a/bot.js b/bot.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7a31611
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bot.js
@@ -0,0 +1,687 @@
+/**
+ * MapleCore Character Image Discord Bot
+ * Standalone bot - no full webserver needed.
+ *
+ * Usage:  !char <characterName>
+ *         /char name:<characterName>
+ *
+ * Dependencies:
+ *   npm install discord.js mysql2 canvas axios dotenv
+ */
+
+require("dotenv").config();
+const { Client, GatewayIntentBits, SlashCommandBuilder, REST, Routes, AttachmentBuilder, EmbedBuilder } = require("discord.js");
+const mysql = require("mysql2/promise");
+const { createCanvas, loadImage } = require("canvas");
+const axios = require("axios");
+
+// ─── Config ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+const CONFIG = {
+  token: process.env.DISCORD_TOKEN,
+  clientId: process.env.DISCORD_CLIENT_ID,
+  guildId: process.env.DISCORD_GUILD_ID,
+  prefix: process.env.BOT_PREFIX || "!",
+  rankingsChannelId: process.env.RANKINGS_CHANNEL_ID,
+  db: {
+    host: process.env.DB_HOST || "localhost",
+    port: parseInt(process.env.DB_PORT) || 3306,
+    user: process.env.DB_USER || "root",
+    password: process.env.DB_PASSWORD || "root",
+    database: process.env.DB_NAME || "cosmic",
+  },
+};
+
+// ─── Equipment slot IDs (Cosmic / HeavenMS v83 standard) ─────────────────────
+// inventoryitems.position values for equipped items (inventorytype = 1)
+const EQUIP_SLOTS = {
+  1:  "Hat",
+  2:  "Face",
+  3:  "Eye Accessory",
+  4:  "Earring",
+  5:  "Top",
+  6:  "Bottom",
+  7:  "Shoes",
+  8:  "Glove",
+  9:  "Cape",
+  10: "Shield",
+  11: "Weapon",
+  12: "Ring 1",
+  13: "Ring 2",
+  15: "Ring 3",
+  16: "Ring 4",
+  17: "Pendant",
+  49: "Belt",
+  50: "Medal",
+};
+
+// maplestory.io render layers (order matters for compositing)
+const RENDER_LAYERS = ["body", "arm", "head", "face", "hair"];
+
+// ─── Database ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+let pool;
+async function getDb() {
+  if (!pool) {
+    pool = mysql.createPool({
+      ...CONFIG.db,
+      waitForConnections: true,
+      connectionLimit: 5,
+    });
+  }
+  return pool;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Fetch character row + equipped item IDs from the Cosmic DB.
+ * Returns null if character not found.
+ */
+async function fetchCharacterData(characterName) {
+  const db = await getDb();
+
+  // Get character base info
+  const [chars] = await db.query(
+    `SELECT id, name, level, job, gender, hair, face, skincolor, exp, meso
+     FROM characters
+     WHERE name = ? LIMIT 1`,
+    [characterName]
+  );
+
+  if (chars.length === 0) return null;
+  const char = chars[0];
+
+  // Get equipped items (inventorytype=1, position < 0 means equipped in some servers;
+  // position > 0 and inventorytype=1 in others — handle both)
+  // inventorytype = -1 is the equipped inventory in Cosmic/HeavenMS
+  // Regular equipped slots: -1 to -11
+  // Cash equipped slots:    -101 to -111 (override regular)
+  const [items] = await db.query(
+    `SELECT itemid, position
+     FROM inventoryitems
+     WHERE characterid = ?
+       AND inventorytype = -1
+     ORDER BY position DESC`,
+    [char.id]
+  );
+
+  // Map negative position values to named slot keys (from db.ts mapEquipmentPosition)
+  // Regular slots: -1 to -11 | Cash slots: -101 to -111 (cash overrides regular)
+  const SLOT_MAP = {
+    '-1': 'cap',    '-101': 'cap',
+    '-2': 'mask',   '-102': 'mask',
+    '-3': 'eyes',   '-103': 'eyes',
+    '-4': 'ears',   '-104': 'ears',
+    '-5': 'coat',   '-105': 'coat',
+    '-6': 'pants',  '-106': 'pants',
+    '-7': 'shoes',  '-107': 'shoes',
+    '-8': 'glove',  '-108': 'glove',
+    '-9': 'cape',   '-109': 'cape',
+    '-10': 'shield','-110': 'shield',
+    '-11': 'weapon','-111': 'weapon',
+  };
+
+  // First pass: regular items; second pass: cash items override
+  const equipped = {};
+  for (const item of items) {
+    const key = SLOT_MAP[String(item.position)];
+    if (key) {
+      // Only override if slot is empty OR this is a cash item (-101 and below)
+      if (!equipped[key] || item.position <= -101) {
+        equipped[key] = item.itemid;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  return { ...char, equipped };
+}
+
+// ─── Image Generation ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+/**
+ * Build a maplestory.io character render URL.
+ * maplestory.io supports compositing equipped items into a single PNG.
+ *
+ * Docs: https://maplestory.io/api
+ */
+function buildRenderUrl(charData) {
+  const { hair, face, skincolor, equipped } = charData;
+  const VERSION = '241';
+
+  // Skin color mapping: DB value -> maplestory.io skin item ID
+  const SKIN_MAP = { 0: 2000, 1: 2001, 2: 2002, 3: 2003 };
+  const skinId = SKIN_MAP[skincolor] ?? 2000;
+
+  // Determine stance based on weapon type (2H weapons use stand2)
+  const weaponId = equipped.weapon;
+  let stance = 'stand1';
+  if (weaponId) {
+    const twoHanded = [
+      [1402000,1402999],[1412000,1412999],[1422000,1422999],[1432000,1432999],
+      [1452000,1459999],[1462000,1469999],[1382000,1389999],[1372000,1379999],
+      [1442000,1442999],[1700000,1799999],
+    ];
+    if (twoHanded.some(([min,max]) => weaponId >= min && weaponId <= max)) {
+      stance = 'stand2';
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Build items in same order as maplestory-api.ts:
+  // hair, weapon, shoes, pants, coat, glove, cape, shield, cap, mask, eyes, ears, skin, 12000 (head), face
+  const itemList = [];
+  const push = (id) => { if (id) itemList.push({ itemId: id, version: VERSION }); };
+
+  push(hair || 30021);
+  push(equipped.weapon);
+  push(equipped.shoes);
+  push(equipped.pants);
+  push(equipped.coat);
+  push(equipped.glove);
+  push(equipped.cape);
+  push(equipped.shield);
+  push(equipped.cap);
+  push(equipped.mask);
+  push(equipped.eyes);
+  push(equipped.ears);
+  push(skinId);
+  push(12000); // head base
+  push(face || 20001);
+
+  // Format: comma-separated JSON objects (NOT a JSON array), URL-encoded
+  const itemsParam = encodeURIComponent(itemList.map(i => JSON.stringify(i)).join(','));
+  return `https://maplestory.io/api/character/${itemsParam}/${stance}/0?resize=2&renderMode=default&flipX=false`;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Generate a character preview image Buffer using maplestory.io.
+ * Falls back to a styled embed if the API is unreachable.
+ */
+async function generateCharacterImage(charData) {
+  const url = buildRenderUrl(charData);
+  console.log("Render URL:", decodeURIComponent(url));
+
+  try {
+    const resp = await axios.get(url, {
+      responseType: "arraybuffer",
+      timeout: 10000,
+      headers: { "User-Agent": "MapleCore-DiscordBot/1.0" },
+    });
+    return Buffer.from(resp.data);
+  } catch (err) {
+    console.error("maplestory.io render failed:", err.message);
+    // Fallback: generate a simple placeholder with canvas
+    return generateFallbackImage(charData);
+  }
+}
+
+/** Simple canvas fallback when maplestory.io is unavailable */
+async function generateFallbackImage(charData) {
+  const canvas = createCanvas(200, 300);
+  const ctx = canvas.getContext("2d");
+
+  // Background
+  ctx.fillStyle = "#1a1a2e";
+  ctx.fillRect(0, 0, 200, 300);
+
+  // Border
+  ctx.strokeStyle = "#e94560";
+  ctx.lineWidth = 3;
+  ctx.strokeRect(4, 4, 192, 292);
+
+  // Character name
+  ctx.fillStyle = "#ffffff";
+  ctx.font = "bold 18px Arial";
+  ctx.textAlign = "center";
+  ctx.fillText(charData.name, 100, 40);
+
+  // Job / level
+  ctx.fillStyle = "#a0a0c0";
+  ctx.font = "14px Arial";
+  ctx.fillText(`Lv.${charData.level}`, 100, 65);
+
+  // Silhouette placeholder
+  ctx.fillStyle = "#e94560";
+  ctx.font = "60px Arial";
+  ctx.textAlign = "center";
+  ctx.fillText("🍁", 100, 180);
+
+  ctx.fillStyle = "#606080";
+  ctx.font = "11px Arial";
+  ctx.fillText("(preview unavailable)", 100, 270);
+
+  return canvas.toBuffer("image/png");
+}
+
+// ─── Embed Builder ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+function getJobName(jobId) {
+  const jobs = {
+    0: "Beginner", 100: "Warrior", 110: "Fighter", 111: "Crusader", 112: "Hero",
+    120: "Page", 121: "White Knight", 122: "Paladin",
+    130: "Spearman", 131: "Dragon Knight", 132: "Dark Knight",
+    200: "Magician", 210: "F/P Wizard", 211: "F/P Mage", 212: "F/P Arch Mage",
+    220: "I/L Wizard", 221: "I/L Mage", 222: "I/L Arch Mage",
+    230: "Cleric", 231: "Priest", 232: "Bishop",
+    300: "Bowman", 310: "Hunter", 311: "Ranger", 312: "Bowmaster",
+    320: "Crossbowman", 321: "Sniper", 322: "Marksman",
+    400: "Thief", 410: "Assassin", 411: "Hermit", 412: "Night Lord",
+    420: "Bandit", 421: "Chief Bandit", 422: "Shadower",
+    500: "Pirate", 510: "Brawler", 511: "Marauder", 512: "Buccaneer",
+    520: "Gunslinger", 521: "Outlaw", 522: "Corsair",
+    900: "GM", 910: "Super GM",
+  };
+  return jobs[jobId] ?? `Job ${jobId}`;
+}
+
+// Real pre-Big Bang v83 EXP required to level up FROM each level
+// Source: MapleLegends EXP table (https://legends.ml/lib/exptable)
+const EXP_TABLE = [
+15,15,34,57,92,135,372,560,840,1144,
+1242,1573,2144,2800,3640,4700,5893,7360,9144,11120,
+13477,16268,19320,22880,27008,31477,36600,42444,48720,55813,
+63800,86784,98208,110932,124432,139372,155865,173280,192400,213345,
+235372,259392,285532,312928,342624,374760,408336,445544,483532,524160,
+567772,598886,631704,666321,702836,741351,781976,824828,870028,917625,
+967995,1021041,1076994,1136013,1198266,1263930,1333194,1406252,1483314,1564600,
+1650340,1740778,1836173,1936794,2042930,2154882,2272970,2397528,2528912,2667496,
+2813674,2967863,3130502,3302053,3483005,3673873,3875201,4087562,4311559,4547832,
+4797053,5059931,5337215,5629694,5938202,6263614,6606860,6968915,7350811,7753635,
+8178534,8626718,9099462,9598112,10124088,10678888,11264090,11881362,12532461,13219239,
+13943653,14707765,15513750,16363902,17260644,18206527,19204245,20256637,21366700,22537594,
+23772654,25075395,26449526,27898960,29427822,31040466,32741483,34535716,36428273,38424542,
+40530206,42751262,45094030,47565183,50171755,52921167,55821246,58880250,62106888,65510344,
+69100311,72887008,76881216,81094306,85594273,90225770,95170142,100385466,105886589,111689174,
+117809740,124265714,131075474,138258410,145834970,153826726,162256430,171148082,180526997,190419876,
+200854885,211861732,223471711,223471711,248635353,262260570,276632449,291791906,307782102,324648562,
+342439302,361204976,380999008,401877754,423900654,447130410,471633156,497478653,524740482,553496261,
+583827855,615821622,649568646,685165008,722712050,762316670,804091623,848155844,894634784,943660770,
+995373379,1049919840,1107455447,1168144006,1232158297,1299680571,1370903066,1446028554,1525246918,1608855764,
+1697021059
+];
+
+function getExpForLevel(level) {
+  // Returns EXP required to go FROM this level TO the next
+  if (level < 1 || level > 200) return 0;
+  return EXP_TABLE[level];
+}
+
+// Render a text-based EXP progress bar
+function buildExpBar(pct, width = 20) {
+  const filled = Math.round((pct / 100) * width);
+  const empty  = width - filled;
+  return `${"█".repeat(filled)}${"░".repeat(empty)}`;
+}
+
+function buildEmbed(charData, imageFile) {
+  // Calculate EXP progress
+  // charData.exp is EXP accumulated within the current level (resets on levelup in Cosmic)
+  const expCurrent  = Number(charData.exp) || 0;
+  const expNeeded   = getExpForLevel(charData.level); // EXP required to level up from current level
+  const pct         = expNeeded > 0 ? Math.min(100, Math.floor((expCurrent / expNeeded) * 100)) : 100;
+  const expBar      = buildExpBar(pct);
+
+  const expField = [
+    `\`${expBar}\` **${pct}%**`,
+    `${expCurrent.toLocaleString()} / ${expNeeded.toLocaleString()} EXP`,
+  ].join("\n");
+
+  const embed = new EmbedBuilder()
+    .setTitle(charData.name)
+    .setColor(0xe94560)
+    .addFields(
+      { name: "Level", value: `${charData.level}`, inline: true },
+      { name: "Job",   value: getJobName(charData.job), inline: true },
+      { name: "Meso",  value: charData.meso?.toLocaleString() ?? "0", inline: true },
+      { name: "EXP to Next Level", value: expField },
+    )
+    .setImage(`attachment://${imageFile}`)
+    .setFooter({ text: "Sweetbot" })
+    .setTimestamp();
+
+  return embed;
+}
+
+// ─── Command Handler ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+async function handleCharCommand(interaction, characterName) {
+  // Works for both slash commands (interaction = CommandInteraction)
+  // and prefix messages (interaction has .reply())
+  const isSlash = !!interaction.deferReply;
+
+  if (isSlash) await interaction.deferReply();
+
+  const name = characterName?.trim();
+  if (!name) {
+    const msg = "Please provide a character name. Usage: `/char name:YourCharacter`";
+    return isSlash ? interaction.editReply(msg) : interaction.reply(msg);
+  }
+
+  try {
+    const charData = await fetchCharacterData(name);
+
+    if (!charData) {
+      const msg = `❌ Character **${name}** not found.`;
+      return isSlash ? interaction.editReply(msg) : interaction.reply(msg);
+    }
+
+    const imageBuffer = await generateCharacterImage(charData);
+    const fileName = `${charData.name}.png`;
+    const attachment = new AttachmentBuilder(imageBuffer, { name: fileName });
+    const embed = buildEmbed(charData, fileName);
+
+    const payload = { embeds: [embed], files: [attachment] };
+    return isSlash ? interaction.editReply(payload) : interaction.reply(payload);
+
+  } catch (err) {
+    console.error("Error handling char command:", err);
+    const msg = "⚠️ An error occurred while fetching the character.";
+    return isSlash ? interaction.editReply(msg) : interaction.reply(msg);
+  }
+}
+
+// ─── Slash Command Registration ───────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+async function registerSlashCommands() {
+  const commands = [
+    new SlashCommandBuilder()
+      .setName("char")
+      .setDescription("Show a Sweetgum character preview")
+      .addStringOption((opt) =>
+        opt.setName("name").setDescription("Character name").setRequired(true)
+      ),
+    new SlashCommandBuilder()
+      .setName("rankings")
+      .setDescription("Post the current top 10 rankings now"),
+  ].map((c) => c.toJSON());
+
+  const rest = new REST({ version: "10" }).setToken(CONFIG.token);
+
+  try {
+    if (CONFIG.guildId) {
+      // Guild-scoped (instant, good for testing)
+      await rest.put(Routes.applicationGuildCommands(CONFIG.clientId, CONFIG.guildId), { body: commands });
+      console.log("✅ Guild slash commands registered.");
+    } else {
+      // Global (takes ~1 hour to propagate)
+      await rest.put(Routes.applicationCommands(CONFIG.clientId), { body: commands });
+      console.log("✅ Global slash commands registered.");
+    }
+  } catch (err) {
+    console.error("Failed to register slash commands:", err);
+  }
+}
+
+// ─── Rankings ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+/** Fetch top 10 characters by level then EXP, excluding GMs (job 900/910) */
+async function fetchTopCharacters() {
+  const db = await getDb();
+  const [rows] = await db.query(
+    `SELECT id, name, level, job, gender, hair, face, skincolor, exp, meso
+     FROM characters
+     WHERE job NOT IN (900, 910)
+       AND gm = 0
+     ORDER BY level DESC, exp DESC
+     LIMIT 10`
+  );
+  // Fetch equipped items for each character
+  const characters = [];
+  for (const char of rows) {
+    const [items] = await db.query(
+      `SELECT itemid, position
+       FROM inventoryitems
+       WHERE characterid = ?
+         AND inventorytype = -1
+       ORDER BY position DESC`,
+      [char.id]
+    );
+    const SLOT_MAP = {
+      '-1': 'cap',    '-101': 'cap',
+      '-2': 'mask',   '-102': 'mask',
+      '-3': 'eyes',   '-103': 'eyes',
+      '-4': 'ears',   '-104': 'ears',
+      '-5': 'coat',   '-105': 'coat',
+      '-6': 'pants',  '-106': 'pants',
+      '-7': 'shoes',  '-107': 'shoes',
+      '-8': 'glove',  '-108': 'glove',
+      '-9': 'cape',   '-109': 'cape',
+      '-10': 'shield','-110': 'shield',
+      '-11': 'weapon','-111': 'weapon',
+    };
+    const equipped = {};
+    for (const item of items) {
+      const key = SLOT_MAP[String(item.position)];
+      if (key && (!equipped[key] || item.position <= -101)) {
+        equipped[key] = item.itemid;
+      }
+    }
+    characters.push({ ...char, equipped });
+  }
+  return characters;
+}
+
+const MEDAL_EMOJIS = ["🥇", "🥈", "🥉"];
+const RANK_COLORS  = [0xFFD700, 0xC0C0C0, 0xCD7F32]; // gold, silver, bronze
+
+/**
+ * Build a composite rankings image:
+ * A column of character renders with their rank, name, level beside each one.
+ */
+async function buildRankingsImage(characters) {
+  const CARD_W    = 520;
+  const CARD_H    = 110;
+  const SPRITE_W  = 80;
+  const PAD       = 12;
+  const TOTAL_H   = CARD_H * characters.length + PAD * 2;
+
+  const canvas = createCanvas(CARD_W, TOTAL_H);
+  const ctx    = canvas.getContext("2d");
+
+  // Background
+  ctx.fillStyle = "#0f0f1a";
+  ctx.fillRect(0, 0, CARD_W, TOTAL_H);
+
+  for (let i = 0; i < characters.length; i++) {
+    const char = characters[i];
+    const y    = PAD + i * CARD_H;
+
+    // Card background — highlight top 3
+    ctx.fillStyle = i === 0 ? "#1a1500" : i === 1 ? "#111118" : i === 2 ? "#120a00" : "#111118";
+    ctx.fillRect(PAD, y, CARD_W - PAD * 2, CARD_H - 4);
+
+    // Left accent bar (gold/silver/bronze/grey)
+    ctx.fillStyle = i < 3 ? ["#FFD700","#C0C0C0","#CD7F32"][i] : "#333355";
+    ctx.fillRect(PAD, y, 4, CARD_H - 4);
+
+    // Rank number
+    ctx.font      = "bold 22px Arial";
+    ctx.fillStyle = i < 3 ? ["#FFD700","#C0C0C0","#CD7F32"][i] : "#666688";
+    ctx.textAlign = "center";
+    ctx.fillText(`#${i + 1}`, PAD + 28, y + CARD_H / 2 + 8);
+
+    // Character sprite
+    try {
+      const imgBuf = await generateCharacterImage(char);
+      const img    = await loadImage(imgBuf);
+      // Draw sprite scaled to fit card height, preserving aspect ratio
+      const scale  = (CARD_H - 8) / img.height;
+      const sw     = img.width * scale;
+      ctx.drawImage(img, PAD + 56, y + 4, sw, CARD_H - 8);
+    } catch (e) {
+      // Fallback: coloured placeholder
+      ctx.fillStyle = "#333355";
+      ctx.fillRect(PAD + 56, y + 4, SPRITE_W, CARD_H - 8);
+    }
+
+    // Name
+    ctx.textAlign = "left";
+    ctx.font      = "bold 18px Arial";
+    ctx.fillStyle = "#ffffff";
+    ctx.fillText(char.name, PAD + 56 + SPRITE_W + 8, y + 32);
+
+    // Job
+    ctx.font      = "14px Arial";
+    ctx.fillStyle = "#9999bb";
+    ctx.fillText(getJobName(char.job), PAD + 56 + SPRITE_W + 8, y + 52);
+
+    // Level
+    ctx.font      = "bold 20px Arial";
+    ctx.fillStyle = "#e94560";
+    ctx.textAlign = "right";
+    ctx.fillText(`Lv.${char.level}`, CARD_W - PAD * 2, y + 38);
+
+    // EXP bar at bottom of card
+    const expNeeded = getExpForLevel(char.level);
+    const expPct    = expNeeded > 0 ? Math.min(1, Number(char.exp) / expNeeded) : 1;
+    const barX      = PAD + 56 + SPRITE_W + 8;
+    const barW      = CARD_W - PAD * 2 - 56 - SPRITE_W - 16;
+    const barY      = y + CARD_H - 20;
+    const barH      = 6;
+
+    ctx.fillStyle = "#222233";
+    ctx.fillRect(barX, barY, barW, barH);
+    ctx.fillStyle = i < 3 ? ["#FFD700","#C0C0C0","#CD7F32"][i] : "#e94560";
+    ctx.fillRect(barX, barY, Math.floor(barW * expPct), barH);
+
+    ctx.font      = "11px Arial";
+    ctx.fillStyle = "#666688";
+    ctx.textAlign = "left";
+    ctx.fillText(`${Math.floor(expPct * 100)}% to next level`, barX, barY + barH + 11);
+  }
+
+  return canvas.toBuffer("image/png");
+}
+
+/** Post (or refresh) the daily rankings in the configured channel */
+async function postRankings(client) {
+  if (!CONFIG.rankingsChannelId) {
+    console.warn("⚠️  RANKINGS_CHANNEL_ID not set — skipping rankings post.");
+    return;
+  }
+
+  const channel = await client.channels.fetch(CONFIG.rankingsChannelId).catch(() => null);
+  if (!channel) {
+    console.error("❌ Could not find rankings channel.");
+    return;
+  }
+
+  console.log("📊 Building daily rankings...");
+
+  try {
+    const characters = await fetchTopCharacters();
+    if (characters.length === 0) {
+      console.log("No characters found for rankings.");
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const imageBuffer = await buildRankingsImage(characters);
+    const attachment  = new AttachmentBuilder(imageBuffer, { name: "rankings.png" });
+
+    // Build summary embed
+    const now    = new Date();
+    const embed  = new EmbedBuilder()
+      .setTitle("🏆 Daily Rankings")
+      .setDescription(
+        characters.map((c, i) => {
+          const medal = MEDAL_EMOJIS[i] ?? `**#${i + 1}**`;
+          return `${medal} **${c.name}** — Lv.${c.level} ${getJobName(c.job)}`;
+        }).join("\n")
+      )
+      .setImage("attachment://rankings.png")
+      .setColor(0xFFD700)
+      .setFooter({ text: "Sweetbot • Updates daily at 9:00 PM EST" })
+      .setTimestamp(now);
+
+    // Delete previous rankings message if one exists
+    try {
+      const messages = await channel.messages.fetch({ limit: 20 });
+      const old = messages.find(
+        (m) => m.author.id === client.user.id &&
+               m.embeds.length > 0 &&
+               m.embeds[0].title === "🏆 Daily Rankings"
+      );
+      if (old) await old.delete();
+    } catch (e) {
+      console.warn("Could not delete old rankings message:", e.message);
+    }
+
+    await channel.send({ embeds: [embed], files: [attachment] });
+    console.log("✅ Rankings posted.");
+
+  } catch (err) {
+    console.error("Error posting rankings:", err);
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Schedule the daily rankings post at 9:00 PM EST (02:00 UTC next day).
+ * Uses a simple setTimeout loop that recalculates the delay each time.
+ */
+function scheduleRankings(client) {
+  function msUntilNext9pmEST() {
+    const now     = new Date();
+    // EST = UTC-5; target hour in UTC = 21 + 5 = 02:00 next day
+    const target  = new Date();
+    target.setUTCHours(2, 0, 0, 0);
+    if (target <= now) target.setUTCDate(target.getUTCDate() + 1);
+    return target - now;
+  }
+
+  function scheduleNext() {
+    const delay = msUntilNext9pmEST();
+    const hrsAway = (delay / 1000 / 60 / 60).toFixed(2);
+    console.log(`📅 Next rankings post in ${hrsAway} hours (9:00 PM EST).`);
+    setTimeout(async () => {
+      await postRankings(client);
+      scheduleNext(); // reschedule for next day
+    }, delay);
+  }
+
+  scheduleNext();
+}
+
+// ─── Bot Client ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+const client = new Client({
+  intents: [
+    GatewayIntentBits.Guilds,
+    GatewayIntentBits.GuildMessages,
+    GatewayIntentBits.MessageContent,
+  ],
+});
+
+client.once("ready", async () => {
+  console.log(`✅ Logged in as ${client.user.tag}`);
+  await registerSlashCommands();
+  scheduleRankings(client);
+});
+
+// Slash command handler
+client.on("interactionCreate", async (interaction) => {
+  if (!interaction.isChatInputCommand()) return;
+  if (interaction.commandName === "char") {
+    await handleCharCommand(interaction, interaction.options.getString("name"));
+  }
+  if (interaction.commandName === "rankings") {
+    await interaction.deferReply({ ephemeral: true });
+    await postRankings(client);
+    await interaction.editReply("✅ Rankings posted!");
+  }
+});
+
+// Prefix command handler  (!char <name>)
+client.on("messageCreate", async (message) => {
+  if (message.author.bot) return;
+  if (!message.content.startsWith(CONFIG.prefix)) return;
+
+  const args = message.content.slice(CONFIG.prefix.length).trim().split(/\s+/);
+  const cmd = args.shift().toLowerCase();
+
+  if (cmd === "char") {
+    await handleCharCommand(message, args.join(" "));
+  }
+  if (cmd === "rankings") {
+    await postRankings(client);
+  }
+});
+
+client.login(CONFIG.token);
diff --git a/env.example b/env.example
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9bbaef6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/env.example
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+# ─── Discord ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+DISCORD_TOKEN=your_bot_token_here
+DISCORD_CLIENT_ID=your_application_client_id
+DISCORD_GUILD_ID=your_guild_id_here   # Remove or leave blank for global slash commands
+
+# Prefix for !char and !rankings commands (default: !)
+BOT_PREFIX=!
+
+# Channel ID where daily rankings will be posted (right-click channel → Copy Channel ID)
+RANKINGS_CHANNEL_ID=your_channel_id_here
+
+# ─── Database (same as MapleCore .env.local) ──────────────────────────────────
+DB_HOST=localhost
+DB_PORT=3306
+DB_USER=root
+DB_PASSWORD=root
+DB_NAME=cosmic
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..204623c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package.json
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+{
+  "name": "maplecore-discord-bot",
+  "version": "1.0.0",
+  "description": "Standalone MapleCore v83 character preview Discord bot",
+  "main": "bot.js",
+  "scripts": {
+    "start": "node bot.js",
+    "dev": "node --watch bot.js"
+  },
+  "dependencies": {
+    "axios": "^1.7.2",
+    "canvas": "^2.11.2",
+    "discord.js": "^14.15.3",
+    "dotenv": "^16.4.5",
+    "mysql2": "^3.10.1"
+  }
+}