Is there a way to lock a category so only admins can post into it? I’d rather it didn’t look any different to the other categories, it would just be amazing if it could not appear in the dropdown selection for users to choose. Not sure if this is possible, but thought I’d ask anyway! Sian

Yes you can choose to lock it to the group ‘admin’ in the Security settings of the category. Choose ‘Edit’ up the top right when in the category and a little overlay gives you the option to choose Security. [42 pm] Go to Edit Permissions and add admin, and remove ‘everyone’. The resulting Category can only be seen by admin and it looks natural to you in the Category listing (unless you make it hidden or something).

Yes, @JamesNorth is absolutely right - but you can do this for any group you want so if the ‘admins’ you are talking about is a broader range of members than those who have full admin rights, then it is still simple enough: Create a Group for your ‘admin group’ Make that group not visible to anyone, and not one they can join or leave (so you can manage it) Add members into that group save it Create your category for conversations you want to have only visible to this admin group in the security settings (as per James’ comment) you give only members of this group the rights to create/reply/see this content post away secretly to your heart’s content :slight_smile: I’ve used this not just for admins but for private groups, and for notifying selections of members about content good luck

Lock a category?

Product Support

sianwhite (Sian White) September 29, 2017, 10:45am 4

@JamesNorth @robmc So helpful, thank you both!

Topic		Replies	Views
Avoid new topics in a specific category Product Support	3	539	February 3, 2022
How disable category in discourse Product Support	3	709	March 30, 2022
How can I lock a category so that nobody can post in it any longer? Product Support	4	219	September 16, 2025
Hide a Specific Category from one of the Admins-Open Source Product Support	11	269	January 5, 2026
Is it possible to restrict admins from a category? Product Support	6	1481	September 19, 2018

Lock a category?

Related topics