diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 2eea525..caeb12e 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1 +1,6 @@
-.env
\ No newline at end of file
+.env
+.idea/inspectionProfiles/
+.idea/kernel.iml
+.idea/misc.xml
+.idea/modules.xml
+.idea/vcs.xml
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/bot/slash_commands.py b/bot/slash_commands.py
index c32f6fa..ac60f6f 100644
--- a/bot/slash_commands.py
+++ b/bot/slash_commands.py
@@ -95,6 +95,16 @@ async def userinfo(self, interaction: Interaction,
         embed.set_thumbnail(url=user.avatar.url)
         await interaction.response.send_message(embed=embed)
 
+    @bot.slash_command(name="messagecount", description="Get a user's message count")
+    @commands.has_any_role(*STAFF_ROLES)
+    async def message_count(self, interaction):
+        user_id = str(interaction.user.id)
+        self.cursor.execute("SELECT MessageCount FROM UserMessages WHERE UserID=?", (user_id,))
+        result = self.cursor.fetchone()
+        if result is None:
+            await interaction.response.send_message(f"{interaction.user.name}'s message count is 0.")
+        else:
+            await interaction.response.send_message(f"{interaction.user.name}'s message count is {result[0]}.")
 
 def setup(bot):
     """
diff --git a/bot/utilities.py b/bot/utilities.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ce9a41
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bot/utilities.py
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+import sqlite3
+from nextcord.ext import commands
+
+class MessageManagementCog(commands.Cog):
+    def __init__(self, bot):
+        self.bot = bot
+        self.conn = sqlite3.connect('user_messages.db')
+        self.cursor = self.conn.cursor()
+        self.cursor.execute('''CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS UserMessages
+                            (UserID TEXT PRIMARY KEY, MessageCount INTEGER)''')
+
+    async def on_message(self, message):
+        user_id = str(message.author.id)
+        self.cursor.execute("SELECT MessageCount FROM UserMessages WHERE UserID=?", (user_id,))
+        result = self.cursor.fetchone()
+        if result is None:
+            self.cursor.execute("INSERT INTO UserMessages VALUES (?, 1)", (user_id,))
+        else:
+            self.cursor.execute("UPDATE UserMessages SET MessageCount = MessageCount + 1 WHERE UserID=?", (user_id,))
+        self.conn.commit()
+
+    def cog_unload(self):
+        self.conn.close()
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index 0461bb7..197f375 100644
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -19,5 +19,6 @@ def run():
     # Load the slash commands and context menus
     bot.load_extension('bot.slash_commands')
     bot.load_extension('bot.context_menus')
+    bot.load_extension('bot.utilities')
     # Start the bot
     bot.run(DISCORD_TOKEN)