diff --git a/src/bot-utilities.ts b/src/bot-utilities.ts
index 21a7f1bf..3afa8f94 100644
--- a/src/bot-utilities.ts
+++ b/src/bot-utilities.ts
@@ -2,10 +2,11 @@ import { strict as assert } from "assert";
 
 import * as Discord from "discord.js";
 
-import { Wheatley } from "./wheatley.js";
+import { named_id, Wheatley } from "./wheatley.js";
 import { decode_snowflake, is_media_link_embed, make_url, get_thread_owner } from "./utils/discord.js";
 import { unwrap } from "./utils/misc.js";
 import { colors } from "./common.js";
+import { is_string } from "./utils/strings.js";
 
 type quote_options = {
     // description template
@@ -336,39 +337,68 @@ export class BotUtilities {
         );
     }
 
-    async get_channel(id: string) {
-        const channel = await this.wheatley.client.channels.fetch(id);
-        if (!channel) {
-            throw Error(`Channel ${id} not found`);
+    private async get_channel_internal(channel_info: named_id, case_insensitive: boolean = true) {
+        let channel: Discord.GuildBasedChannel | null = null;
+
+        try {
+            channel = await this.wheatley.guild.channels.fetch(channel_info.id);
+        } catch (e) {
+            // don't throw when DiscordAPIError[50001]: Missing Access
+            if (e instanceof Discord.DiscordAPIError && e.code == 50001) {
+                // unknown channel
+                channel = null;
+            } else {
+                throw e;
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (this.wheatley.devmode_enabled && !channel && channel_info.name && is_string(channel_info.name)) {
+            channel = this.get_channel_by_name(channel_info.name, case_insensitive) ?? null;
         }
-        assert(channel instanceof Discord.TextChannel, `Channel ${channel} (${id}) not of the expected type`);
+
         return channel;
     }
 
-    async get_forum_channel(id: string) {
-        const channel = await this.wheatley.client.channels.fetch(id);
-        if (!channel) {
-            throw Error(`Forum channel ${id} not found`);
-        }
-        assert(channel instanceof Discord.ForumChannel, `Channel ${channel} (${id}) not of the expected type`);
+    async get_channel(channel_info: named_id) {
+        const channel = await this.get_channel_internal(channel_info);
+        assert(
+            channel instanceof Discord.TextChannel,
+            `Channel ${channel?.name} (${channel_info.id}) not of the expected type`,
+        );
+
         return channel;
     }
 
-    async get_thread_channel(id: string) {
-        const channel = await this.wheatley.client.channels.fetch(id);
-        if (!channel) {
-            throw Error(`Thread channel ${id} not found`);
-        }
-        assert(channel instanceof Discord.ThreadChannel, `Channel ${channel} (${id}) not of the expected type`);
+    async get_forum_channel(channel_info: named_id) {
+        const channel = await this.get_channel_internal(channel_info);
+
+        assert(
+            channel instanceof Discord.ForumChannel,
+            `Channel ${channel?.name} (${channel_info.id}) not of the expected type`,
+        );
+
         return channel;
     }
 
-    async get_category(id: string) {
-        const category = await this.wheatley.client.channels.fetch(id);
-        if (!category) {
-            throw Error(`Category ${id} not found`);
-        }
-        assert(category instanceof Discord.CategoryChannel, `Category ${category} (${id}) not of the expected type`);
+    async get_thread_channel(channel_info: named_id) {
+        const channel = await this.get_channel_internal(channel_info);
+
+        assert(
+            channel instanceof Discord.ThreadChannel,
+            `Channel ${channel?.name} (${channel_info.id}) not of the expected type`,
+        );
+
+        return channel;
+    }
+
+    async get_category(channel_info: named_id) {
+        const category = await this.get_channel_internal(channel_info, false);
+
+        assert(
+            category instanceof Discord.CategoryChannel,
+            `Channel ${category?.name} (${channel_info.id}) not of the expected type`,
+        );
+
         return category;
     }
 
@@ -388,4 +418,20 @@ export class BotUtilities {
             }
         }
     }
+
+    // case-insensitive
+    get_channel_by_name(name: string, case_insensitive: boolean = true) {
+        return this.wheatley.guild.channels.cache.find(channel => {
+            if (case_insensitive) {
+                return channel.name.toLowerCase() === name.toLowerCase();
+            }
+
+            return channel.name === name;
+        });
+    }
+
+    // case-insensitive
+    get_role_by_name(name: string) {
+        return this.wheatley.guild.roles.cache.find(role => role.name.toLowerCase() === name.toLowerCase());
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/modules/tccpp/components/anti-self-star.ts b/src/modules/tccpp/components/anti-self-star.ts
index 22214c74..f32b561d 100644
--- a/src/modules/tccpp/components/anti-self-star.ts
+++ b/src/modules/tccpp/components/anti-self-star.ts
@@ -26,7 +26,11 @@ export default class AntiSelfStar extends BotComponent {
         if (reaction.emoji.name !== "⭐") {
             return;
         }
-        if (message.channelId == this.wheatley.channels.memes && user.id == message.author.id && has_media(message)) {
+        if (
+            message.channelId == this.wheatley.channels.memes.id &&
+            user.id == message.author.id &&
+            has_media(message)
+        ) {
             await this.handle_self_star(await departialize(message));
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/modules/tccpp/components/auto-reply.ts b/src/modules/tccpp/components/auto-reply.ts
index 6fa5a850..d4848508 100644
--- a/src/modules/tccpp/components/auto-reply.ts
+++ b/src/modules/tccpp/components/auto-reply.ts
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ export default class Autoreply extends BotComponent {
             LLM_REGEX.test(message.content) &&
             !this.is_ratelimited() &&
             Math.random() <= RATELIMIT_PROBABILITY &&
-            message.channel.id !== this.wheatley.channels.bot_spam
+            message.channel.id !== this.wheatley.channels.bot_spam.id
         ) {
             this.last_reply_time = Date.now();
             M.log("firing llm auto-reply");
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ export default class Autoreply extends BotComponent {
             MICROSLOP_REGEX.test(message.content) &&
             !this.is_ratelimited() &&
             Math.random() <= RATELIMIT_PROBABILITY &&
-            message.channel.id !== this.wheatley.channels.bot_spam
+            message.channel.id !== this.wheatley.channels.bot_spam.id
         ) {
             this.last_reply_time = Date.now();
             M.log("firing microslop auto-reply");
diff --git a/src/modules/tccpp/components/autoreact.ts b/src/modules/tccpp/components/autoreact.ts
index 437371be..3bb10784 100644
--- a/src/modules/tccpp/components/autoreact.ts
+++ b/src/modules/tccpp/components/autoreact.ts
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ export default class Autoreact extends BotComponent {
                     this.wheatley.warn("Unable to find emoji nog4g");
                 }
             }
-            if (message.channel.id == this.wheatley.channels.introductions) {
+            if (message.channel.id == this.wheatley.channels.introductions.id) {
                 if (message.member == null) {
                     // TODO: Ping zelis?
                     M.warn("Why??", message);
@@ -132,15 +132,15 @@ export default class Autoreact extends BotComponent {
                     M.log("Waving to new user", message.author.tag, message.author.id, message.url);
                     await message.react("👋");
                 }
-            } else if (message.channel.id == this.wheatley.channels.memes && has_media(message)) {
+            } else if (message.channel.id == this.wheatley.channels.memes.id && has_media(message)) {
                 M.log("Adding star reaction", message.author.tag, message.author.id, message.url);
                 await message.react("⭐");
-            } else if (message.channel.id == this.wheatley.channels.server_suggestions) {
+            } else if (message.channel.id == this.wheatley.channels.server_suggestions.id) {
                 M.log("Adding server suggestion reactions", message.author.tag, message.author.id, message.url);
                 await message.react("👍");
                 await message.react("👎");
                 await message.react("🤷");
-            } else if (message.channel.id == this.wheatley.channels.food && has_media(message)) {
+            } else if (message.channel.id == this.wheatley.channels.food.id && has_media(message)) {
                 const reaction = message.guild!.emojis.cache.find(emoji => emoji.name === "chefskiss");
                 if (reaction !== undefined) {
                     await message.react(reaction);
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ export default class Autoreact extends BotComponent {
             // reaction blocked
             if (e instanceof Discord.DiscordAPIError && e.code === 90001) {
                 await message.member?.timeout(1 * MINUTE, "Thou shall not block the bot");
-                if (message.channel.id == this.wheatley.channels.server_suggestions) {
+                if (message.channel.id == this.wheatley.channels.server_suggestions.id) {
                     await message.delete();
                 }
             } else {
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ export default class Autoreact extends BotComponent {
         if (new_message.createdTimestamp && Date.now() - new_message.createdTimestamp > 5 * MINUTE) {
             return;
         }
-        if (new_message.channel.id == this.wheatley.channels.memes) {
+        if (new_message.channel.id == this.wheatley.channels.memes.id) {
             const bot_starred = new_message.reactions.cache.get("⭐")?.users.cache.has(this.wheatley.user.id);
             // If we haven't stared (or don't know if we've starred) and the new message has media, star
             if (!bot_starred && has_media(new_message)) {
@@ -204,10 +204,7 @@ export default class Autoreact extends BotComponent {
     }
 
     async catch_up() {
-        const TCCPP = await this.wheatley.client.guilds.fetch(this.wheatley.guild.id);
-        const introductions_channel = await TCCPP.channels.fetch(this.wheatley.channels.introductions);
-        assert(introductions_channel);
-        assert(introductions_channel.type == Discord.ChannelType.GuildText);
+        const introductions_channel = await this.utilities.get_channel(this.wheatley.channels.introductions);
         const messages = await introductions_channel.messages.fetch({ limit: 100, cache: false });
         for (const [_, message] of messages) {
             if (await this.is_new_member(message)) {
diff --git a/src/modules/tccpp/components/c-help-redirect.ts b/src/modules/tccpp/components/c-help-redirect.ts
index 739c5a3d..b9c88e0e 100644
--- a/src/modules/tccpp/components/c-help-redirect.ts
+++ b/src/modules/tccpp/components/c-help-redirect.ts
@@ -190,8 +190,8 @@ export default class CHelpRedirect extends BotComponent {
         assert(command.channel instanceof Discord.GuildChannel);
 
         // Only allowed in #c-help-text
-        if (command.channel.id != this.wheatley.channels.c_help_text) {
-            await command.reply(`Can only be used in <#${this.wheatley.channels.c_help_text}>`, true);
+        if (command.channel.id != this.wheatley.channels.c_help_text.id) {
+            await command.reply(`Can only be used in <#${this.wheatley.channels.c_help_text.id}>`, true);
             return;
         }
 
@@ -200,12 +200,12 @@ export default class CHelpRedirect extends BotComponent {
         if (user) {
             await this.c_help_text.send(
                 `<@${user.id}> Your code looks like C++ code, but this is a C channel. ` +
-                    `Did you mean to post in <#${this.wheatley.channels.cpp_help_text}>?`,
+                    `Did you mean to post in <#${this.wheatley.channels.cpp_help_text.id}>?`,
             );
         } else {
             await this.c_help_text.send(
                 `This code looks like C++ code, but this is a C channel. ` +
-                    `Did you mean to post in <#${this.wheatley.channels.cpp_help_text}>?`,
+                    `Did you mean to post in <#${this.wheatley.channels.cpp_help_text.id}>?`,
             );
         }
     }
@@ -215,8 +215,8 @@ export default class CHelpRedirect extends BotComponent {
         assert(command.channel instanceof Discord.GuildChannel);
 
         // Only allowed in #cpp-help-text
-        if (command.channel.id != this.wheatley.channels.cpp_help_text) {
-            await command.reply(`Can only be used in <#${this.wheatley.channels.cpp_help_text}>`, true);
+        if (command.channel.id != this.wheatley.channels.cpp_help_text.id) {
+            await command.reply(`Can only be used in <#${this.wheatley.channels.cpp_help_text.id}>`, true);
             return;
         }
 
@@ -225,12 +225,12 @@ export default class CHelpRedirect extends BotComponent {
         if (user) {
             await this.cpp_help_text.send(
                 `<@${user.id}> Your code looks like C code, but this is a C++ channel. ` +
-                    `Did you mean to post in <#${this.wheatley.channels.c_help_text}>?`,
+                    `Did you mean to post in <#${this.wheatley.channels.c_help_text.id}>?`,
             );
         } else {
             await this.cpp_help_text.send(
                 `This code looks like C code, but this is a C++ channel. ` +
-                    `Did you mean to post in <#${this.wheatley.channels.c_help_text}>?`,
+                    `Did you mean to post in <#${this.wheatley.channels.c_help_text.id}>?`,
             );
         }
     }
@@ -256,20 +256,20 @@ export default class CHelpRedirect extends BotComponent {
         }
 
         // Only check messages in help-text channels
-        if (message.channel.id == this.wheatley.channels.c_help_text) {
+        if (message.channel.id == this.wheatley.channels.c_help_text.id) {
             if (this.check_message_for_cpp_code(message)) {
                 this.auto_triggered_users.insert(message.author.id);
                 await message.reply(
                     `<@${message.author.id}> Your code looks like C++ code, but this is a C channel. ` +
-                        `Did you mean to post in <#${this.wheatley.channels.cpp_help_text}>?`,
+                        `Did you mean to post in <#${this.wheatley.channels.cpp_help_text.id}>?`,
                 );
             }
-        } else if (message.channel.id == this.wheatley.channels.cpp_help_text) {
+        } else if (message.channel.id == this.wheatley.channels.cpp_help_text.id) {
             if (this.check_message_for_c_code(message)) {
                 this.auto_triggered_users.insert(message.author.id);
                 await message.reply(
                     `<@${message.author.id}> Your code looks like C code, but this is a C++ channel. ` +
-                        `Did you mean to post in <#${this.wheatley.channels.c_help_text}>?`,
+                        `Did you mean to post in <#${this.wheatley.channels.c_help_text.id}>?`,
                 );
             }
         }
diff --git a/src/modules/tccpp/components/forum-channels.ts b/src/modules/tccpp/components/forum-channels.ts
index a79d53be..cd3c5bb2 100644
--- a/src/modules/tccpp/components/forum-channels.ts
+++ b/src/modules/tccpp/components/forum-channels.ts
@@ -294,7 +294,9 @@ export default class ForumChannels extends BotComponent {
     is_non_forum_mirror_channel(thread: Discord.ThreadChannel) {
         return (
             thread.parentId != null &&
-            [this.wheatley.channels.code_review, this.wheatley.channels.showcase].includes(thread.parentId)
+            [this.wheatley.channels.code_review, this.wheatley.channels.showcase].some(
+                channel_info => channel_info.id === thread.parentId,
+            )
         );
     }
 
@@ -344,7 +346,7 @@ export default class ForumChannels extends BotComponent {
                 await this.mirror_forum_post(
                     message,
                     `New ${
-                        thread.parentId == this.wheatley.channels.code_review ? "code review" : "showcase"
+                        thread.parentId == this.wheatley.channels.code_review.id ? "code review" : "showcase"
                     } post: ${thread.name}`,
                     true,
                     this.general_discussion,
diff --git a/src/modules/tccpp/components/memes.ts b/src/modules/tccpp/components/memes.ts
index accd976f..105b130c 100644
--- a/src/modules/tccpp/components/memes.ts
+++ b/src/modules/tccpp/components/memes.ts
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ export default class Memes extends BotComponent {
             });
             await user.send({
                 content:
-                    `Your message in <#${this.wheatley.channels.memes}> was deleted because it didn't contain ` +
+                    `Your message in <#${this.wheatley.channels.memes.id}> was deleted because it didn't contain ` +
                     `any images, videos, or media embeds. This channel is for sharing memes only. For commentary ` +
                     `please open a thread.`,
                 embeds: quote.embeds,
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ export default class Memes extends BotComponent {
         if (message.guildId !== this.wheatley.guild.id) {
             return;
         }
-        if (message.channel.id !== this.wheatley.channels.memes) {
+        if (message.channel.id !== this.wheatley.channels.memes.id) {
             return;
         }
         if (await this.should_skip(message)) {
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ export default class Memes extends BotComponent {
         if (new_message.guildId !== this.wheatley.guild.id) {
             return;
         }
-        if (new_message.channel.id !== this.wheatley.channels.memes) {
+        if (new_message.channel.id !== this.wheatley.channels.memes.id) {
             return;
         }
         const message = await departialize(new_message);
diff --git a/src/modules/tccpp/components/permissions-manager.ts b/src/modules/tccpp/components/permissions-manager.ts
index 1af49ca5..7dcb2031 100644
--- a/src/modules/tccpp/components/permissions-manager.ts
+++ b/src/modules/tccpp/components/permissions-manager.ts
@@ -6,30 +6,30 @@ import { M } from "../../../utils/debugging-and-logging.js";
 import { HOUR } from "../../../common.js";
 import { BotComponent } from "../../../bot-component.js";
 import SkillRoles from "./skill-roles.js";
-import { Wheatley } from "../../../wheatley.js";
+import { named_id } from "../../../wheatley.js";
 import { unwrap } from "../../../utils/misc.js";
 import { CommandSetBuilder } from "../../../command-abstractions/command-set-builder.js";
 import { set_timeout } from "../../../utils/node.js";
 
 const categories_map = {
-    staff_logs: "1135927261472755712",
-    staff: "873125551064363028",
-    meta: "360691699288113163",
-    tutoring: "923430684041818153",
-    cpp_help: "897465499535949874",
-    c_help: "931970218442493992",
-    discussion: "855220194887335977",
-    specialized: "360691955031867392",
-    community: "1131921460034801747",
-    off_topic: "360691500985745409",
-    misc: "506274316623544320",
-    bot_dev: "1166516815472640050",
-    voice: "360692425242705921",
-    archive: "910306041969913938",
-    private_archive: "455278783352537099",
-    challenges_archive: "429594248099135488",
-    meta_archive: "910308747929321492",
-};
+    staff_logs: { id: "1135927261472755712", name: "Staff Logs" },
+    staff: { id: "873125551064363028", name: "Staff" },
+    meta: { id: "360691699288113163", name: "Meta" },
+    tutoring: { id: "923430684041818153", name: "Tutoring" },
+    cpp_help: { id: "897465499535949874", name: "C++ Help" },
+    c_help: { id: "931970218442493992", name: "C Help" },
+    discussion: { id: "855220194887335977", name: "Discussion" },
+    specialized: { id: "360691955031867392", name: "Specialized" },
+    community: { id: "1131921460034801747", name: "Community" },
+    off_topic: { id: "360691500985745409", name: "Off-Topic" },
+    misc: { id: "506274316623544320", name: "Miscellaneous" },
+    bot_dev: { id: "1166516815472640050", name: "Bot Dev" },
+    voice: { id: "360692425242705921", name: "Voice" },
+    archive: { id: "910306041969913938", name: "Archive" },
+    private_archive: { id: "455278783352537099", name: "Private Archive" },
+    challenges_archive: { id: "429594248099135488", name: "Challenges Archive" },
+    meta_archive: { id: "910308747929321492", name: "Meta Archive" },
+} satisfies { [key: string]: named_id };
 
 type permissions_entry = {
     allow?: bigint[];
@@ -174,25 +174,25 @@ export default class PermissionManager extends BotComponent {
             },
         };
 
-        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.staff_logs, mod_only_channel);
-        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.staff, mod_only_channel);
-        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.meta, default_permissions);
-        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.cpp_help, default_permissions);
-        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.c_help, default_permissions);
-        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.discussion, default_permissions);
-        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.specialized, default_permissions);
-        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.community, default_permissions);
-        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.off_topic, off_topic_permissions);
-        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.misc, default_permissions);
-        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.bot_dev, default_permissions);
-        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.voice, voice_permissions);
-        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.archive, read_only_archive_channel);
-        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.private_archive, mod_only_channel);
-        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.challenges_archive, mod_only_channel);
-        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.meta_archive, mod_only_channel);
+        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.staff_logs.id, mod_only_channel);
+        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.staff.id, mod_only_channel);
+        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.meta.id, default_permissions);
+        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.cpp_help.id, default_permissions);
+        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.c_help.id, default_permissions);
+        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.discussion.id, default_permissions);
+        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.specialized.id, default_permissions);
+        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.community.id, default_permissions);
+        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.off_topic.id, off_topic_permissions);
+        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.misc.id, default_permissions);
+        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.bot_dev.id, default_permissions);
+        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.voice.id, voice_permissions);
+        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.archive.id, read_only_archive_channel);
+        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.private_archive.id, mod_only_channel);
+        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.challenges_archive.id, mod_only_channel);
+        this.add_category_permissions(categories_map.meta_archive.id, mod_only_channel);
 
         // staff overwrites
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.staff_only, {
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.staff_only.id, {
             [this.wheatley.guild.roles.everyone.id]: {
                 deny: [Discord.PermissionsBitField.Flags.ViewChannel],
             },
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ export default class PermissionManager extends BotComponent {
                 allow: [Discord.PermissionsBitField.Flags.ViewChannel],
             },
         });
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.voice_hotline, {
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.voice_hotline.id, {
             [this.wheatley.guild.roles.everyone.id]: {
                 deny: [Discord.PermissionsBitField.Flags.ViewChannel],
             },
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ export default class PermissionManager extends BotComponent {
         });
 
         // meta overwrites
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.rules, {
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.rules.id, {
             [this.wheatley.guild.roles.everyone.id]: {
                 deny: [
                     Discord.PermissionsBitField.Flags.SendMessages,
@@ -235,12 +235,12 @@ export default class PermissionManager extends BotComponent {
                 ],
             },
         });
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.announcements, read_only_channel);
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.resources, read_only_channel);
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.old_resources, read_only_channel);
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.partners, read_only_channel);
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.articles, read_only_channel);
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.server_suggestions, {
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.announcements.id, read_only_channel);
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.resources.id, read_only_channel);
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.old_resources.id, read_only_channel);
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.partners.id, read_only_channel);
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.articles.id, read_only_channel);
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.server_suggestions.id, {
             ...default_permissions,
             [this.wheatley.guild.roles.everyone.id]: {
                 deny: [
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ export default class PermissionManager extends BotComponent {
                 deny: [Discord.PermissionsBitField.Flags.ViewChannel],
             },
         });
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.the_button, {
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.the_button.id, {
             ...default_permissions,
             [this.wheatley.guild.roles.everyone.id]: {
                 deny: [
@@ -278,11 +278,11 @@ export default class PermissionManager extends BotComponent {
                 allow: [Discord.PermissionsBitField.Flags.ViewChannel],
             },
         };
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.skill_roles_meta, jedi_council);
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.skill_role_suggestions, jedi_council);
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.skill_roles_meta.id, jedi_council);
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.skill_role_suggestions.id, jedi_council);
 
         // community overwrites
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.polls, {
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.polls.id, {
             ...read_only_channel_no_reactions,
             [this.wheatley.roles.moderators.id]: {
                 allow: [
@@ -292,35 +292,35 @@ export default class PermissionManager extends BotComponent {
                 ],
             },
         });
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.today_i_learned, {
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.today_i_learned.id, {
             ...default_permissions,
             [this.wheatley.roles.no_til.id]: muted_permissions,
         });
         // off topic overwrites
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.memes, {
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.memes.id, {
             ...off_topic_permissions,
             [this.wheatley.roles.no_memes.id]: no_interaction_at_all,
         });
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.starboard, {
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.starboard.id, {
             ...off_topic_permissions,
             [this.wheatley.roles.no_memes.id]: no_interaction_at_all,
             ...read_only_channel,
         });
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.pin_archive, {
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.pin_archive.id, {
             ...off_topic_permissions,
             ...read_only_channel,
         });
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.skill_role_log, {
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.skill_role_log.id, {
             ...read_only_channel,
         });
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.public_action_log, {
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.public_action_log.id, {
             ...read_only_channel_no_reactions,
         });
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.serious_off_topic, {
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.serious_off_topic.id, {
             ...off_topic_permissions,
             [this.wheatley.roles.no_serious_off_topic.id]: no_interaction_at_all,
         });
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.room_of_requirement, {
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.room_of_requirement.id, {
             ...off_topic_permissions,
             [this.wheatley.roles.moderators.id]: {
                 allow: [
@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ export default class PermissionManager extends BotComponent {
                 ],
             },
         });
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.boosters_only, {
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.boosters_only.id, {
             ...default_permissions,
             [this.wheatley.guild.roles.everyone.id]: {
                 deny: [Discord.PermissionsBitField.Flags.ViewChannel],
@@ -340,15 +340,15 @@ export default class PermissionManager extends BotComponent {
             },
         });
         // misc overwrites
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.days_since_last_incident, {
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.days_since_last_incident.id, {
             ...default_permissions,
             ...read_only_channel,
         });
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.literally_1984, {
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.literally_1984.id, {
             ...default_permissions,
             ...read_only_channel,
         });
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.lore, {
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.lore.id, {
             ...default_permissions,
             [this.wheatley.guild.roles.everyone.id]: {
                 deny: [Discord.PermissionsBitField.Flags.ViewChannel],
@@ -358,9 +358,9 @@ export default class PermissionManager extends BotComponent {
             },
         });
         // bot dev overwrites
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.bot_dev_internal, mod_only_channel);
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.bot_dev_internal.id, mod_only_channel);
         // voice overwrites
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.afk, {
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.afk.id, {
             [this.wheatley.guild.roles.everyone.id]: {
                 deny: [
                     Discord.PermissionsBitField.Flags.Speak,
@@ -375,7 +375,7 @@ export default class PermissionManager extends BotComponent {
                 ],
             },
         });
-        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.deans_office, {
+        this.add_channel_overwrite(this.wheatley.channels.deans_office.id, {
             ...voice_permissions,
             [this.wheatley.guild.roles.everyone.id]: {
                 deny: [
@@ -444,7 +444,7 @@ export default class PermissionManager extends BotComponent {
     async sync_permissions() {
         await Promise.all(
             Object.entries(this.category_permissions).map(async ([id, permissions]) => {
-                const category = await this.utilities.get_category(id);
+                const category = await this.utilities.get_category({ id });
                 await this.sync_category_permissions(category, unwrap(permissions));
             }),
         );
diff --git a/src/modules/tccpp/components/roulette.ts b/src/modules/tccpp/components/roulette.ts
index 26bfb71d..ce7683cf 100644
--- a/src/modules/tccpp/components/roulette.ts
+++ b/src/modules/tccpp/components/roulette.ts
@@ -94,8 +94,8 @@ export default class Roulette extends BotComponent {
     }
 
     async roulette(command: TextBasedCommand) {
-        if (command.channel_id != this.wheatley.channels.bot_spam) {
-            await command.reply(`Must be used in <#${this.wheatley.channels.bot_spam}>`, true);
+        if (command.channel_id != this.wheatley.channels.bot_spam.id) {
+            await command.reply(`Must be used in <#${this.wheatley.channels.bot_spam.id}>`, true);
             return;
         }
         if (this.disabled_users.has(command.user.id)) {
diff --git a/src/modules/tccpp/components/server-suggestion-reactions.ts b/src/modules/tccpp/components/server-suggestion-reactions.ts
index 43ec1bb5..9c11ca98 100644
--- a/src/modules/tccpp/components/server-suggestion-reactions.ts
+++ b/src/modules/tccpp/components/server-suggestion-reactions.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import { delay } from "../../../utils/misc.js";
 import { file_exists } from "../../../utils/filesystem.js";
 import { M } from "../../../utils/debugging-and-logging.js";
 import { BotComponent } from "../../../bot-component.js";
-import { Wheatley } from "../../../wheatley.js";
+import { named_id, Wheatley } from "../../../wheatley.js";
 import { forge_snowflake } from "../../../utils/discord.js";
 import { set_timeout } from "../../../utils/node.js";
 import { SERVER_SUGGESTION_TRACKER_START_TIME } from "./server-suggestion-tracker.js";
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ const root_only_reacts = new Set([
 export default class ServerSuggestionReactions extends BotComponent {
     readonly monitored_channels = new Map<string, Discord.TextChannel | Discord.AnyThreadChannel>();
     stop = false;
-    monitored_channels_ids!: string[];
+    monitored_channels_infos!: named_id[];
 
     async handle_fetched_message(message: Discord.Message) {
         for (const [_, reaction] of message.reactions.cache) {
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ export default class ServerSuggestionReactions extends BotComponent {
     // 100 messages every 3 minutes, avoid ratelimits
     // runs only on restart, no rush
     async hard_catch_up() {
-        const server_suggestions_channel = this.monitored_channels.get(this.wheatley.channels.server_suggestions);
+        const server_suggestions_channel = this.monitored_channels.get(this.wheatley.channels.server_suggestions.id);
         let oldest_seen = Date.now();
         assert(server_suggestions_channel != undefined);
         while (true) {
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ export default class ServerSuggestionReactions extends BotComponent {
     }
 
     override async on_ready() {
-        this.monitored_channels_ids = [
+        this.monitored_channels_infos = [
             this.wheatley.channels.server_suggestions,
             this.wheatley.channels.suggestion_dashboard,
         ];
@@ -101,10 +101,10 @@ export default class ServerSuggestionReactions extends BotComponent {
             const config = "../wheatley-private/config.js";
             react_blacklist = (await import(config)).react_blacklist;
         }
-        for (const channel_id of this.monitored_channels_ids) {
-            const channel = await this.wheatley.client.channels.fetch(channel_id);
+        for (const channel_info of this.monitored_channels_infos) {
+            const channel = await this.wheatley.guild.channels.fetch(channel_info.id);
             assert(channel && (channel instanceof Discord.TextChannel || channel instanceof Discord.ThreadChannel));
-            this.monitored_channels.set(channel_id, channel);
+            this.monitored_channels.set(channel_info.id, channel);
         }
         M.debug("server_suggestion reactions handler got channels");
         // recover from down time: fetch last 100 messages (and add to cache)
@@ -125,7 +125,10 @@ export default class ServerSuggestionReactions extends BotComponent {
         if (reaction.message.guildId !== this.wheatley.guild.id) {
             return;
         }
-        if (this.monitored_channels_ids.indexOf(reaction.message.channel.id) > -1) {
+        const is_channel_monitored = this.monitored_channels_infos.some(
+            channel_info => channel_info.id === reaction.message.channel.id,
+        );
+        if (is_channel_monitored) {
             if (reaction.users.cache.some(user => react_blacklist.has(user.id))) {
                 // Remove but not immediately
                 M.debug("scheduling blacklisted user reaction removal");
diff --git a/src/modules/tccpp/components/server-suggestion-tracker.ts b/src/modules/tccpp/components/server-suggestion-tracker.ts
index f39488f8..a51dc28b 100644
--- a/src/modules/tccpp/components/server-suggestion-tracker.ts
+++ b/src/modules/tccpp/components/server-suggestion-tracker.ts
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ export default class ServerSuggestionTracker extends BotComponent {
             this.wheatley.channels.suggestion_dashboard,
         );
         this.server_suggestions = await this.utilities.get_channel(this.wheatley.channels.server_suggestions);
+
         commands.add(
             new TextBasedCommandBuilder("suggestions-dashboard-count", EarlyReplyMode.visible)
                 .set_category("Admin utilities")
diff --git a/src/modules/tccpp/components/skill-roles.ts b/src/modules/tccpp/components/skill-roles.ts
index 9496620e..24b67138 100644
--- a/src/modules/tccpp/components/skill-roles.ts
+++ b/src/modules/tccpp/components/skill-roles.ts
@@ -41,7 +41,8 @@ export default class SkillRoles extends BotComponent {
 
     override async on_ready() {
         for (const name in SkillLevel) {
-            const role = this.wheatley.get_role_by_name(capitalize(name));
+            const role = this.utilities.get_role_by_name(capitalize(name));
+            assert(role, `Could not find skill role: ${name}`);
             this.skill_roles.push(role);
             this.roles[name as skill_level] = role;
         }
diff --git a/src/modules/tccpp/components/starboard.ts b/src/modules/tccpp/components/starboard.ts
index b39e79bc..eaf9e14c 100644
--- a/src/modules/tccpp/components/starboard.ts
+++ b/src/modules/tccpp/components/starboard.ts
@@ -182,18 +182,18 @@ export default class Starboard extends BotComponent {
         this.repost_emojis = state?.repost_emojis ?? [];
 
         this.excluded_channels = new Set([
-            this.wheatley.channels.rules,
-            this.wheatley.channels.announcements,
-            this.wheatley.channels.server_suggestions,
-            this.wheatley.channels.resources,
-            this.wheatley.channels.the_button,
-            this.wheatley.channels.introductions,
-            this.wheatley.channels.starboard,
-            this.wheatley.channels.goals2024,
-            this.wheatley.channels.goals2025,
-            this.wheatley.channels.goals2026,
-            this.wheatley.channels.skill_role_log,
-            this.wheatley.channels.polls,
+            this.wheatley.channels.rules.id,
+            this.wheatley.channels.announcements.id,
+            this.wheatley.channels.server_suggestions.id,
+            this.wheatley.channels.resources.id,
+            this.wheatley.channels.the_button.id,
+            this.wheatley.channels.introductions.id,
+            this.wheatley.channels.starboard.id,
+            this.wheatley.channels.goals2024.id,
+            this.wheatley.channels.goals2025.id,
+            this.wheatley.channels.goals2026.id,
+            this.wheatley.channels.skill_role_log.id,
+            this.wheatley.channels.polls.id,
         ]);
     }
 
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ export default class Starboard extends BotComponent {
         }
         const parent_channel_id = this.get_parent_channel_id(reaction.message.channel);
         if (reaction.emoji.name == "⭐") {
-            if (parent_channel_id == this.wheatley.channels.memes) {
+            if (parent_channel_id == this.wheatley.channels.memes.id) {
                 return reaction.count >= memes_star_threshold;
             } else {
                 return reaction.count >= star_threshold;
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ export default class Starboard extends BotComponent {
         } else if (
             !(this.negative_emojis.includes(reaction.emoji.name) || this.ignored_emojis.includes(reaction.emoji.name))
         ) {
-            if (parent_channel_id == this.wheatley.channels.memes) {
+            if (parent_channel_id == this.wheatley.channels.memes.id) {
                 return reaction.count >= memes_other_threshold;
             } else {
                 return reaction.count >= other_threshold;
@@ -341,12 +341,6 @@ export default class Starboard extends BotComponent {
         try {
             const trigger_emoji =
                 trigger_type === delete_trigger_type.delete_this ? "<:delet_this:669598943117836312>" : ":recycle:";
-            const channel_context =
-                message.channel.id === this.wheatley.channels.memes
-                    ? " in #memes"
-                    : message.channel.id === this.wheatley.channels.cursed_code
-                      ? " in #cursed-code"
-                      : "";
             const notification_embed = new Discord.EmbedBuilder()
                 .setColor(colors.red)
                 .setTitle(`Message Auto-Deleted in ${message.channel.url}`)
@@ -385,7 +379,11 @@ export default class Starboard extends BotComponent {
         );
         const max_non_negative = Math.max(...non_negative_reactions.map(([_, count]) => count)); // -inf if |a|=0
         let do_delete = true;
-        if (![this.wheatley.channels.memes, this.wheatley.channels.cursed_code].includes(message.channel.id)) {
+        if (
+            ![this.wheatley.channels.memes, this.wheatley.channels.cursed_code].some(
+                channel => channel.id === message.channel.id,
+            )
+        ) {
             do_delete = false;
         }
         if (trigger_reaction.count <= max_non_negative) {
@@ -509,7 +507,7 @@ export default class Starboard extends BotComponent {
             await message.delete();
             assert(!(message.channel instanceof Discord.PartialGroupDMChannel));
             if (trigger_type == delete_trigger_type.delete_this) {
-                if (message.channel.id == this.wheatley.channels.memes) {
+                if (message.channel.id == this.wheatley.channels.memes.id) {
                     await message.channel.send(
                         `<@${message.author.id}> A message of yours was automatically deleted because a threshold for` +
                             " <:delet_this:669598943117836312> reactions (or similar) was reached.\n\n" +
@@ -536,7 +534,7 @@ export default class Starboard extends BotComponent {
     // Check if the # of reactions is full, and there is no negative emojis reacted yet
     should_delete_reaction(reaction: Discord.MessageReaction) {
         return (
-            reaction.message.channel.id === this.wheatley.channels.memes &&
+            reaction.message.channel.id === this.wheatley.channels.memes.id &&
             reaction.message.reactions.cache.size === 20 &&
             reaction.message.reactions.cache.filter(
                 reaction =>
diff --git a/src/modules/tccpp/components/thread-based-channels.ts b/src/modules/tccpp/components/thread-based-channels.ts
index 8fff176e..a6e4c775 100644
--- a/src/modules/tccpp/components/thread-based-channels.ts
+++ b/src/modules/tccpp/components/thread-based-channels.ts
@@ -36,9 +36,9 @@ export default class ThreadBasedChannels extends BotComponent {
 
     override async on_ready() {
         this.thread_based_channel_ids = new Set([
-            this.wheatley.channels.server_suggestions,
-            this.wheatley.channels.showcase,
-            this.wheatley.channels.today_i_learned,
+            this.wheatley.channels.server_suggestions.id,
+            this.wheatley.channels.showcase.id,
+            this.wheatley.channels.today_i_learned.id,
         ]);
     }
 
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ export default class ThreadBasedChannels extends BotComponent {
         if (message.guildId !== this.wheatley.guild.id) {
             return;
         }
-        if (message.channelId === this.wheatley.channels.today_i_learned) {
+        if (message.channelId === this.wheatley.channels.today_i_learned.id) {
             if (message.hasThread) {
                 await unwrap(message.thread).send(
                     "This today I learned post was removed. If it was removed by a moderator it was likely due to it " +
diff --git a/src/modules/wheatley/components/anti-crosspost.ts b/src/modules/wheatley/components/anti-crosspost.ts
index 11f03150..06d4ed5b 100644
--- a/src/modules/wheatley/components/anti-crosspost.ts
+++ b/src/modules/wheatley/components/anti-crosspost.ts
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ export default class AntiCrosspost extends BotComponent {
         if (message.content.length < MIN_MESSAGE_LENGTH) {
             return;
         }
-        if (message.channelId === this.wheatley.channels.bot_spam) {
+        if (message.channelId === this.wheatley.channels.bot_spam.id) {
             return;
         }
         let user_messages = this.recent_messages.get(message.author.id) ?? [];
diff --git a/src/modules/wheatley/components/code.ts b/src/modules/wheatley/components/code.ts
index 3a1f3d43..e2a63e20 100644
--- a/src/modules/wheatley/components/code.ts
+++ b/src/modules/wheatley/components/code.ts
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ export default class Code extends BotComponent {
     }
 
     static make_code_formatting_embeds(wheatley: Wheatley, channel: Discord.TextBasedChannel): Discord.APIEmbedField[] {
-        const is_c = [wheatley.channels.c_help, wheatley.channels.c_help_text].includes(
-            wheatley.top_level_channel(channel),
+        const is_c = [wheatley.channels.c_help, wheatley.channels.c_help_text].some(
+            channel_info => channel_info.id == wheatley.top_level_channel(channel),
         );
         return [
             {
diff --git a/src/modules/wheatley/components/moderation/rolepersist.ts b/src/modules/wheatley/components/moderation/rolepersist.ts
index 13b708f9..4b4c74cd 100644
--- a/src/modules/wheatley/components/moderation/rolepersist.ts
+++ b/src/modules/wheatley/components/moderation/rolepersist.ts
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ export default class Rolepersist extends ModerationComponent {
                     .set_category("Moderation")
                     .set_alias_of("rolepersist add")
                     .set_permissions(Discord.PermissionFlagsBits.ModerateMembers)
-                    .set_description(`${capitalize(role).replace("_", " ")}`)
+                    .set_description(`${capitalize(role as string).replace("_", " ")}`)
                     .add_user_option({
                         title: "user",
                         description: "User to rolepersist",
diff --git a/src/modules/wheatley/components/redirect.ts b/src/modules/wheatley/components/redirect.ts
index d6a13db6..50ef102f 100644
--- a/src/modules/wheatley/components/redirect.ts
+++ b/src/modules/wheatley/components/redirect.ts
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@ export default class Redirect extends BotComponent {
             new TextBasedCommandBuilder("r", EarlyReplyMode.none)
                 .set_category("Moderation Utilities")
                 .set_description(
-                    `Redirect a conversation from <#${this.wheatley.channels.c_cpp_discussion}> or ` +
-                        `<#${this.wheatley.channels.general_discussion}> to a help channel`,
+                    `Redirect a conversation from <#${this.wheatley.channels.c_cpp_discussion.id}> or ` +
+                        `<#${this.wheatley.channels.general_discussion.id}> to a help channel`,
                 )
                 .add_user_option({
                     title: "user",
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ export default class Redirect extends BotComponent {
                 this.wheatley.channels.c_help_text,
                 this.wheatley.channels.tooling,
                 this.wheatley.channels.algorithms_and_compsci,
-            ].includes(command.channel_id)
+            ].some(channel_info => channel_info.id === command.channel_id)
         ) {
             await command.reply("Can't be used in a help channel", true);
             return;
@@ -83,13 +83,13 @@ export default class Redirect extends BotComponent {
             content:
                 `Hello <@${user.id}>, welcome to Together C & C++! This is not a help channel, please ask your ` +
                 `question in one of the help channels above (${format_list([
-                    `<#${this.wheatley.channels.cpp_help}>`,
-                    `<#${this.wheatley.channels.cpp_help_text}>`,
-                    `<#${this.wheatley.channels.c_help}>`,
-                    `<#${this.wheatley.channels.c_help_text}>`,
+                    `<#${this.wheatley.channels.cpp_help.id}>`,
+                    `<#${this.wheatley.channels.cpp_help_text.id}>`,
+                    `<#${this.wheatley.channels.c_help.id}>`,
+                    `<#${this.wheatley.channels.c_help_text.id}>`,
                 ])}), ` +
-                `or <#${this.wheatley.channels.tooling}> if your question is about tooling, ` +
-                `or <#${this.wheatley.channels.algorithms_and_compsci}> if your question pertains more to theory, ` +
+                `or <#${this.wheatley.channels.tooling.id}> if your question is about tooling, ` +
+                `or <#${this.wheatley.channels.algorithms_and_compsci.id}> if your question pertains more to theory, ` +
                 `or any other help channel more suited for your question.`,
             should_text_reply: false,
         });
diff --git a/src/wheatley.ts b/src/wheatley.ts
index d838ae66..18bf929d 100644
--- a/src/wheatley.ts
+++ b/src/wheatley.ts
@@ -69,107 +69,120 @@ export type wheatley_config = core_config & {
     [key: string]: any;
 };
 
+export type named_id = {
+    // channel id used in production
+    id: string;
+
+    // fallback channel name (for development only)
+    name?: string;
+};
+
 const channels = {
     // staff
-    staff_flag_log: "1026972603019169842",
-    staff_delet_log: "1462879414864838869",
-    staff_experimental_log: "1207899185790197760",
-    staff_action_log: "845290775692443699",
-    public_action_log: "1341611685223596103",
-    staff_clock_log: "1220882759862452284",
-    welcome: "778017793567490078",
-    staff_member_log: "875681819662622730",
-    staff_message_log: "467729928956411914",
-    staff_only: "342153262260289537",
-    mods: "847993258600038460",
-    voice_hotline: "1379456835634987098",
+    staff_flag_log: { id: "1026972603019169842", name: "🚩-flag-log" },
+    staff_delet_log: { id: "1462879414864838869", name: "🗑️-delet-log" },
+    staff_experimental_log: { id: "1207899185790197760", name: "😱-experimental-log" },
+    staff_action_log: { id: "845290775692443699", name: "🔨-action-log" },
+    public_action_log: { id: "1341611685223596103", name: "moderation-log" },
+    staff_clock_log: { id: "1220882759862452284", name: "👀-clock-log" },
+    welcome: { id: "778017793567490078", name: "📈-join-boost-log" },
+    staff_member_log: { id: "875681819662622730", name: "👥-member-log" },
+    staff_message_log: { id: "467729928956411914", name: "💬-message-log" },
+    staff_only: { id: "342153262260289537", name: "staff-only" },
+    mods: { id: "847993258600038460", name: "mods-🚲" },
+    voice_hotline: { id: "1379456835634987098", name: "voice-hotline" },
+
     // meta
-    rules: "659868782877212723",
-    announcements: "331881381477089282",
-    server_suggestions: "802541516655951892",
-    skill_role_suggestions: "1211089633547526204",
-    skill_roles_meta: "1182536717056618557",
-    news: "1269506410530738267",
-    old_resources: "1124619767542718524",
-    resources: "1361574878561570926",
-    partners: "904790565000986745",
-    the_button: "1069678919667687455",
-    articles: "1130174377539940475",
+    rules: { id: "659868782877212723", name: "rules" },
+    announcements: { id: "331881381477089282", name: "announcements" },
+    server_suggestions: { id: "802541516655951892", name: "server-suggestions" },
+    skill_role_suggestions: { id: "1211089633547526204", name: "skill-role-suggestions" },
+    skill_roles_meta: { id: "1182536717056618557", name: "skill-roles-meta" },
+    news: { id: "1269506410530738267", name: "news" },
+    old_resources: { id: "1124619767542718524", name: "old-resources" },
+    resources: { id: "1361574878561570926", name: "resources" },
+    partners: { id: "904790565000986745", name: "partners" },
+    the_button: { id: "1069678919667687455", name: "the-button" },
+    articles: { id: "1130174377539940475", name: "archived-articles" },
+
     // language channels
-    cpp_help: "1013107104678162544",
-    c_help: "1013104018739974194",
-    cpp_help_text: "331718580070645760",
-    c_help_text: "331718539738087426",
-    c_cpp_discussion: "851121440425639956",
-    general_discussion: "855220264149057556",
-    code_review: "1078717238678409369",
-    showcase: "1014328785685979136",
-    tooling: "331913460080181258",
-    algorithms_and_compsci: "857668280012242944",
+    cpp_help: { id: "1013107104678162544", name: "cpp-help" },
+    c_help: { id: "1013104018739974194", name: "c-help" },
+    cpp_help_text: { id: "331718580070645760", name: "cpp-help-text" },
+    c_help_text: { id: "331718539738087426", name: "c-help-text" },
+    c_cpp_discussion: { id: "851121440425639956", name: "c-cpp-discussion" },
+    general_discussion: { id: "855220264149057556", name: "general-technical" },
+    code_review: { id: "1078717238678409369", name: "code-review" },
+    showcase: { id: "1014328785685979136", name: "showcase" },
+    tooling: { id: "331913460080181258", name: "tooling" },
+    algorithms_and_compsci: { id: "857668280012242944", name: "algorithms-and-compsci" },
+
     // off-topic
-    starboard: "800509841424252968",
-    memes: "526518219549442071",
-    food: "1288515484513468436",
-    serious_off_topic: "921113903574958080",
-    room_of_requirement: "1082800064113672192",
-    boosters_only: "792183875241639977",
+    starboard: { id: "800509841424252968", name: "starboard" },
+    memes: { id: "526518219549442071", name: "memes" },
+    food: { id: "1288515484513468436", name: "food" },
+    serious_off_topic: { id: "921113903574958080", name: "serious-off-topic" },
+    room_of_requirement: { id: "1082800064113672192", name: "pets" },
+    boosters_only: { id: "792183875241639977", name: "🩷pink🩷" },
+
     // other
-    bot_spam: "506274405500977153",
-    introductions: "933113495304679494",
-    cursed_code: "855220292736516128",
-    suggestion_dashboard: "908928083879415839",
-    suggestion_action_log: "909309608512880681",
-    today_i_learned: "873682069325217802",
-    goals2024: "1189255286364569640",
-    goals2025: "1323734788707848253",
-    goals2026: "1454237273712492615",
-    days_since_last_incident: "1195920462958575676",
-    literally_1984: "1097993854214488154",
-    lore: "890067781628866620",
-    bot_dev_internal: "1166517065763536977",
-    pin_archive: "1284234644396572714",
-    skill_role_log: "1315023714206617610",
-    polls: "1319336135213846568",
-    wiki_dev: "1350899338229846127",
+    bot_spam: { id: "506274405500977153", name: "bot-spam" },
+    introductions: { id: "933113495304679494", name: "introductions" },
+    cursed_code: { id: "855220292736516128", name: "cursed-code" },
+    suggestion_dashboard: { id: "908928083879415839", name: "Suggestions Dashboard" },
+    suggestion_action_log: { id: "909309608512880681", name: "Suggestion Action Log" },
+    today_i_learned: { id: "873682069325217802", name: "did-you-know" },
+    goals2024: { id: "1189255286364569640", name: "2024-goals" },
+    goals2025: { id: "1323734788707848253", name: "2025-goals" },
+    goals2026: { id: "1454237273712492615", name: "archived-2026-goals" },
+    days_since_last_incident: { id: "1195920462958575676", name: "days-since-last-incident" },
+    literally_1984: { id: "1097993854214488154", name: "literally-1984" },
+    lore: { id: "890067781628866620", name: "lore" },
+    bot_dev_internal: { id: "1166517065763536977", name: "wheatley-dev-internal" },
+    pin_archive: { id: "1284234644396572714", name: "pin-archive" },
+    skill_role_log: { id: "1315023714206617610", name: "skill-role-log" },
+    polls: { id: "1319336135213846568", name: "polls" },
+    wiki_dev: { id: "1350899338229846127", name: "wiki-dev" },
+
     // voice
-    chill: "1358502332941467879",
-    work_3: "1358502770575147230",
-    work_4: "1367735453112864838",
-    afk: "331732845523369985",
-    deans_office: "1379612678649155755",
+    chill: { id: "1358502332941467879", name: "Chill" },
+    work_3: { id: "1358502770575147230", name: "Work 3" },
+    work_4: { id: "1367735453112864838", name: "Work 4" },
+    afk: { id: "331732845523369985", name: "AFK" },
+    deans_office: { id: "1379612678649155755", name: "Dean's Office" },
     // red telephone
-    red_telephone_alerts: "1140096352278290512",
+    red_telephone_alerts: { id: "1140096352278290512", name: "red-telephone-alerts" },
     // error log
-    log: "1260777903700971581",
-};
+    log: { id: "1260777903700971581", name: "🤖-wheatley-log" },
+} satisfies { [key: string]: named_id };
 
 const roles_map = {
-    muted: "815987333094178825",
-    monke: "1139378060450332752",
-    no_off_topic: "879419994004422666",
-    no_suggestions: "831567015457980447",
-    no_suggestions_at_all: "895011256023535657",
-    no_reactions: "880152014036819968",
-    no_images: "1181029004866760854",
-    no_threads: "870181444742447135",
-    no_serious_off_topic: "921116034948272260",
-    no_til: "883474632370454588",
-    no_memes: "982307359370141756",
-    no_voice: "1371771250363465892",
-    voice_moderator: "1371706420730531870",
-    moderators: "847915341954154536",
-    root: "331719468440879105",
-    pink: "888158339878490132",
-    server_booster: "643013330616844333",
-    historian: "890067617069551646",
-    official_bot: "331886851784704001",
-    featured_bot: "995847409374605392",
-    jedi_council: "1138950835208990750",
-    herald: "1095555811536797787",
-    linked_github: "1080596526478397471",
-    wiki_core: "1354998426370314411",
-    voice: "1368073548983308328",
-};
+    muted: { id: "815987333094178825", name: "Muted" },
+    monke: { id: "1139378060450332752", name: "Neuron Activation" },
+    no_off_topic: { id: "879419994004422666", name: "No Off Topic" },
+    no_suggestions: { id: "831567015457980447", name: "No Suggestions" },
+    no_suggestions_at_all: { id: "895011256023535657", name: "No Suggestions At All" },
+    no_reactions: { id: "880152014036819968", name: "No Reactions" },
+    no_images: { id: "1181029004866760854", name: "No Images" },
+    no_threads: { id: "870181444742447135", name: "No Threads" },
+    no_serious_off_topic: { id: "921116034948272260", name: "No Serious Off Topic" },
+    no_til: { id: "883474632370454588", name: "No TIL" },
+    no_memes: { id: "982307359370141756", name: "No Memes" },
+    no_voice: { id: "1371771250363465892", name: "No Voice" },
+    voice_moderator: { id: "1371706420730531870", name: "Voice Moderator" },
+    moderators: { id: "847915341954154536", name: "Moderator" },
+    root: { id: "331719468440879105", name: "root" },
+    pink: { id: "888158339878490132", name: "Pink" },
+    server_booster: { id: "643013330616844333", name: "Server Booster" },
+    historian: { id: "890067617069551646", name: "Historian" },
+    official_bot: { id: "331886851784704001", name: "Official Bot" },
+    featured_bot: { id: "995847409374605392", name: "Featured Bot" },
+    jedi_council: { id: "1138950835208990750", name: "Jedi Council" },
+    herald: { id: "1095555811536797787", name: "Herald" },
+    linked_github: { id: "1080596526478397471", name: "Linked GitHub" },
+    wiki_core: { id: "1354998426370314411", name: "core-wiki" },
+    voice: { id: "1368073548983308328", name: "voice" },
+} satisfies { [key: string]: named_id };
 
 type EventMap = {
     wheatley_ready: () => void;
@@ -206,6 +219,10 @@ export class Wheatley {
     // True if freestanding mode is enabled. Defaults to false.
     readonly freestanding: boolean;
 
+    get devmode_enabled() {
+        return process.env.NODE_ENV !== "production";
+    }
+
     // Some emojis
     private emoji_map = {
         success: "✅",
@@ -303,26 +320,41 @@ export class Wheatley {
                 for (const [_, guild] of this.client.guilds.cache) {
                     M.log(guild.id, guild.name);
                 }
-                // Fetch the log channel immediately
+
+                this.discord_application = (await this.client.application?.fetch()) ?? null;
+                this.discord_user = await this.client.users.fetch(config.id);
+                this.discord_guild = await this.client.guilds.fetch(config.guild);
+
+                // Pre-fetch channels and roles so name resolution works in devmode
+                await this.guild.channels.fetch().catch(this.critical_error.bind(this));
+                await this.guild.roles.fetch().catch(this.critical_error.bind(this));
+
+                // cache roles
+                for (const [key, info] of Object.entries(roles_map)) {
+                    let role = this.guild.roles.cache.get(info.id);
+
+                    if (!role && info.name && this.devmode_enabled) {
+                        role = this.guild.roles.cache.find(role => role.name === info.name);
+                    }
+
+                    this.roles[key as keyof typeof roles_map] = unwrap(role);
+                }
+
                 if (!config.freestanding) {
-                    const channel = await this.client.channels.fetch(channels.log);
+                    const channel = this.client.channels.cache.get(channels.log.id);
                     this.log_channel = channel && channel.isTextBased() ? channel : null;
                 }
 
                 this.info("Bot started");
 
-                this.discord_application = (await this.client.application?.fetch()) ?? null;
-                this.discord_user = await this.client.users.fetch(config.id);
-                this.discord_guild = await this.client.guilds.fetch(config.guild);
                 await this.fetch_emoji();
-                await this.fetch_guild_info();
 
                 const command_set_builder = new CommandSetBuilder(this);
                 for (const component of this.components.values()) {
                     try {
                         await component.setup(command_set_builder);
                     } catch (e) {
-                        this.critical_error(e);
+                        this.critical_error(`Error setting up component ${component.constructor.name}:`, e as Error);
                     }
                 }
                 const { text_commands, button_handlers, modal_handlers, other_commands } =
@@ -366,42 +398,6 @@ export class Wheatley {
         }
     }
 
-    async fetch_guild_info() {
-        const wrap = async <T>(fn: () => Promise<T>): Promise<T | null> => {
-            try {
-                return await fn();
-            } catch (e) {
-                if (!this.freestanding) {
-                    this.critical_error(e);
-                    throw e;
-                } else {
-                    // absorb error
-                    return null;
-                }
-            }
-        };
-        const fudged_unwrap = <T>(value: T | null | undefined): T => {
-            if (!this.freestanding) {
-                // for the real bot actually check
-                return unwrap(value);
-            } else {
-                return value as T;
-            }
-        };
-        // Roles
-        await Promise.all(
-            Object.entries(roles_map).map(async ([k, id]) => {
-                const role = await wrap(() => this.guild.roles.fetch(id));
-                if (this.freestanding && role === null) {
-                    return;
-                }
-                assert(role !== null, `Role ${k} ${id} not found`);
-                this.roles[k as keyof typeof roles_map] = role;
-                M.log(`Fetched role ${k}`);
-            }),
-        );
-    }
-
     async add_component<T extends BotComponent>(component: { new (w: Wheatley): T; get is_freestanding(): boolean }) {
         if (!this.freestanding || component.is_freestanding) {
             M.log(`Initializing ${component.name}`);
@@ -539,7 +535,7 @@ export class Wheatley {
     }
 
     is_forum_help_channel(id: string) {
-        return [this.channels.cpp_help, this.channels.c_help].includes(id);
+        return [this.channels.cpp_help, this.channels.c_help].some(channel_info => channel_info.id === id);
     }
 
     is_forum_help_thread(thread: Discord.ThreadChannel) {
@@ -620,11 +616,6 @@ export class Wheatley {
         );
     }
 
-    // case-insensitive
-    get_role_by_name(name: string) {
-        return unwrap(this.guild.roles.cache.find(role => role.name.toLowerCase() === name.toLowerCase()));
-    }
-
     async try_fetch_guild_member(
         options: Discord.GuildMember | Discord.User | Discord.UserResolvable | Discord.FetchMemberOptions,
     ): Promise<Discord.GuildMember | null> {