# Integration Overview

To implement the Discord Social SDK, developers for all platforms will generally follow these steps:

1. Import the SDK
2. Initialize the SDK:
   - Create a [`Client`] instance.
   - Set up event listeners to monitor SDK events and callbacks
3. Authenticate users with flexible account options
   - Create and manage provisional accounts for users who don't have or want a Discord account ([`Client::GetProvisionalToken`]).
   - Link an existing Discord account via OAuth ([`Client::Authorize`]).
4. Implement social features
   - Implement [unified friends list](/guides/friends-relationships-development-guides-creating-a-unified-friends-list) and [relationships](/guides/friends-relationships-development-guides-managing-relationships).
   - Use [rich presence](/guides/rich-presence-user-status-development-guides-setting-rich-presence) for game activity updates.
   - Set up [lobbies](/guides/lobbies-voice-development-guides-managing-lobbies) for multiplayer interaction and [game invites](/guides/game-invites-managing-game-invites).
   - Manage [direct message](/guides/direct-messages-development-guides-sending-direct-messages), [linked channels](/guides/friends-relationships-development-guides-creating-a-unified-friends-list), and [voice communication](/guides/lobbies-voice-development-guides-managing-voice-chat).
5. Handle events & API calls:
   - Listen for changes in friend lists, presence updates, and chat messages.
   - Use Discord's APIs to update statuses, send messages, and manage connections.

This guide is a conceptual overview. If you're ready to start building, [follow our step-by-step guide](/guides/getting-started-getting-started) to set up the SDK in your game engine.

***

## Next Steps

Check platform compatibility, explore communication features, and start your integration:

::::card-grid
:::card{title="Platform Compatibility" href="/guides/core-concepts-platform-compatibility"}
See supported platforms and download information.
:::

:::card{title="Communication Features" href="/guides/core-concepts-communication-features"}
Learn about messaging, voice chat, and in-game lobbies.
:::

:::card{title="Getting Started" href="/guides/getting-started-getting-started"}
Choose your platform and follow step-by-step setup instructions.
:::
::::

***

## Change Log

| Date          | Changes         |
| ------------- | --------------- |
| July 21, 2025 | initial release |

[`Client`]: https://discord.com/developers/docs/social-sdk/classdiscordpp_1_1Client.html#a91716140c699d8ef0bdf6bfd7ee0ae13
[`Client::Authorize`]: https://discord.com/developers/docs/social-sdk/classdiscordpp_1_1Client.html#ace94a58e27545a933d79db32b387a468
[`Client::GetProvisionalToken`]: https://discord.com/developers/docs/social-sdk/classdiscordpp_1_1Client.html#a8003130b6c46e54ac68442483bf0480c

## Related pages

- [API Reference](./api-reference-index.md)
- [App Fundamentals](./app-fundamentals-index.md)
- [Best Practices](./best-practices-index.md)
- [Bots & Companion Apps](./bots-companion-apps-index.md)
- [Building Games](./building-games-index.md)
- [Building on Discord](./building-on-discord-index.md)
- [Change Log](./change-log-index.md)
- [Communities & Servers](./communities-servers-index.md)
- [Components](./components-index.md)
- [Core Concepts](./core-concepts-index.md)

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