# Private Topics Plugin

**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/private-topics-plugin/268646
**Category:** Plugin
**Created:** [June 16, 2023, 4:17pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/private-topics-plugin/268646 "2023-06-16T16:17:53Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Showing post:** 1

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### Author: ![RGJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/rgj/32/523185_2.png) [@RGJ](https://meta.discourse.org/u/RGJ)
#### Post date: [June 16, 2023, 4:17pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/private-topics-plugin/268646/1 "2023-06-16T16:17:53Z")

</div>

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| --- | --- | --- |
| ℹ | **Summary** | **Private Topics** Enables private topics in a regular category |
| 🛠 | **Repository Link** | [GitHub - communiteq/discourse-private-topics · GitHub](https://github.com/communiteq/discourse-private-topics) |
| 📖 | **Install Guide** | [How to install plugins in Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/t/install-plugins-in-discourse/19157) |

  

### Features

This plugin allows you to add an extra security setting to categories so that users can only access their own topics. You can also designate one or more groups that can see all topics in the category. This is typically used for providing private support within a public community.

### Rationale

We were looking for a more integrated way of being able to provide support for Communiteq’s clients without having to create a few thousand categories. We also wanted to stay away from Group Inboxes because they feel [too much bolted on](https://meta.discourse.org/t/displaying-pms-in-tag-lists/213777) and by default you get a “new PM” bubble every time someone posts something in any group inbox.

I previously wrote about this idea [here](https://meta.discourse.org/t/offering-private-support-as-part-of-a-public-support-community/215151#h-4-private-topics-4).

> [@Offering "private support" as part of a public support community](https://meta.discourse.org/t/offering-private-support-as-part-of-a-public-support-community/215151/1):
>
> What if there was some kind of ‘drop box’ category where people can start a topic and interact with support staff (basically: a group), where only they and members of that group can see the topic?
> 
> That would be a golden bullet for this use case. We would have a clearly defined “support” category where every user can see their (and _only their_) support tickets. Everything is in a single place and you can use tagging and everything.

### Configuration

After enabling the plugin, go to the security settings for your category.

 ![afbeelding](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/4X/d/9/3/d935b0bcaad9d7f6aab26736bf1551a44816e307.png)

⚠ **MAKE SURE IT IS NOT ACCESSIBLE TO “EVERYONE”**. ⚠  
If it must be widely accessible, set this to `trust_level_0`.

### Settings

There are a few global site settings as well:

- `private topics permitted groups` : designates groups whose members’ posts are consistently accessible. You can use this so posts from staff or support staff are not subject to being inaccessible, even when they’re in a private category. Posts from the default system user are also always being shown. You should make sure that the category introductory posts are either from the default system user or from a user in this group, if you want these to be shown.

- `private topics admin sees all`: when enabled, admin users can access all topics, even when they’re in a private category. Disable this if you want to hide confidential data from accidental glances.

### Caveats

The plugin filters topics from topic lists, post stream, search, user summary, user activity, the not found page, follow notifications and raw.

Topics are included in badges, but badges are not granted for non-public categories, so you should remove `everyone` from the category security groups and add `trust_level_1` instead.

This plugin is brand new and has not been tested extensively yet.  
Possible “leaks” are:

- message bus (sometimes a “there is one new or updated topic” flashes and then disappears)

### Todo / Roadmap

- have a category banner that explains that it’s safe to post more or less confidential things in the category.

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_[View the full topic](https://meta.discourse.org/t/private-topics-plugin/268646)._