# One discourse instance for multiple purposes

**URL:** <https://meta.discourse.org/t/one-discourse-instance-for-multiple-purposes/179345>\
**Category:** Support\
**Created:** [February 11, 2021, 2:51pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/one-discourse-instance-for-multiple-purposes/179345 "2021-02-11T14:51:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 2

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**Author:** ![fzngagan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/fzngagan/32/259349_2.png) [@fzngagan](https://meta.discourse.org/u/fzngagan)\
**Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 2:58pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/one-discourse-instance-for-multiple-purposes/179345/2 "2021-02-11T14:58:18Z")

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> [@tpicouet](#):
>
> Is it possible to easily manage public and private topics?

Discourse provides group and category level permissions which is far more useful and flexible as compared to `role based` permissions.

> [@tpicouet](#):
>
> In particular, is Discourse _designed_ for this purpose or would it be a trick?

Yes, it is designed to fulfil that purpose.

> [@tpicouet](#):
>
> I would like to have members belonging to groups and only be able to see/create topics within their own group.

Yes, this can be achieved by using correct group permissions on the required categories.

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_[View the full topic](https://meta.discourse.org/t/one-discourse-instance-for-multiple-purposes/179345)._