# Variables in replies

> Put names, numbers and server info in a reply with curly brackets.

A **variable** is a name in curly brackets, like `{user.mention}`. When the command runs, the bot puts the real value in its place.

```text
Hello {user.mention}! There are {server.member_count} members here.
```

Becomes:

```text
Hello @Alex! There are 1,204 members here.
```

Variables work in the **Content / Reply Message** box and in embeds used as the reply.

## The person who ran the command

| Variable | What it shows |
|---|---|
| `{user.mention}` | A ping, like @Alex |
| `{user.display_name}` | Their name in this server |
| `{user.username}` | Their Discord username |
| `{user.id}` | Their user ID |
| `{user.avatar_url}` | A link to their avatar |
| `{user.top_role}` | Their highest role |
| `{user.unix_joined_at}` | When they joined, as a number for timestamps |

## The server

| Variable | What it shows |
|---|---|
| `{server.name}` | The server name |
| `{server.member_count}` | How many members |
| `{server.icon_url}` | A link to the server icon |
| `{server.owner.mention}` | A ping of the owner |
| `{server.premium_subscription_count}` | Number of boosts |

## The channel

| Variable | What it shows |
|---|---|
| `{channel.mention}` | A link to the channel, like #general |
| `{channel.name}` | The channel name |
| `{channel.id}` | The channel ID |

For every field, see [Objects](https://ccbot.app/docs/reference/objects).

## Arguments

Every argument you add to a command becomes a variable with the same name.

Add a **Member** argument named `target`. Then:

```text
{user.mention} gave a cookie to {target.mention}!
```

A **Text** argument named `reason` is plain text:

```text
Reason: {reason}
```

> **Watch out:** An argument hides anything with the same name. An argument named `user` replaces the person who ran the command. Pick a different name, like `member` or `target`.

## Values from your code

Anything you make in the **Pre-hook** can go in the reply.

```python
coins = int(member_var("coins", 0))
```

```text
You have {coins} coins.
```

You can also do small sums inside the brackets. With an **Integer** argument named `age`:

```text
Next year you will be {age + 1}.
```

If something inside the brackets fails, it shows as `None` instead of breaking the command.

## Saved values

Some values should stay after the command ends, like coins or a counter. Save them with server or member variables:

```python
update_member_var("coins", 100)
```

See [Saving data](https://ccbot.app/docs/concepts/saving-data).

## In events

Events have no reply box, so curly-bracket variables do not work there. Build the text in code with an f-string instead:

```python
send_message("welcome", f"Welcome {user.mention} to {server.name}!")
```