# Query on how to create a category which can be seen, but posts can't
**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/query-on-how-to-create-a-category-which-can-be-seen-but-posts-cant/81546
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [2월 26, 2018, 2:16오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/query-on-how-to-create-a-category-which-can-be-seen-but-posts-cant/81546 "2018-02-26T14:16:58Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@RCheesley](https://meta.discourse.org/u/RCheesley)
#### Post date: [2월 26, 2018, 2:16오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/query-on-how-to-create-a-category-which-can-be-seen-but-posts-cant/81546/1 "2018-02-26T14:16:58Z")
Hello all,
I wondered if it possible to have categories where users can see the category, but they can’t see posts within unless they are of a certain group?
The use case is a large membership site which has multiple interest groups or regional groups which would be organised by category - people may not know the interest group exists if they can’t see the category, and the idea being they would then request access and be approved, then being able to view all the posts within.
I’ve tried searching but not coming up with answers, possibly using the wrong phrases!
Thanks in advance!
Ruth
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### Author:  [@dax](https://meta.discourse.org/u/dax)
#### Post date: [2월 26, 2018, 2:39오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/query-on-how-to-create-a-category-which-can-be-seen-but-posts-cant/81546/2 "2018-02-26T14:39:04Z")
Hi Ruth, you can not do what you asked for, but there is a possible workaround.
Create a parent category “Foo”, edit the permissions so _everyone can see_, create a subcategory of Foo, let’s say “Bar” and set the permission to your-custom-group can see-reply-create (or see-reply, it depends on your needs).
Everyone can see the Foo category, but only the custom group can open topic and see posts in the Bar subcategory
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### Author:  [@dje4321](https://meta.discourse.org/u/dje4321)
#### Post date: [2월 26, 2018, 2:40오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/query-on-how-to-create-a-category-which-can-be-seen-but-posts-cant/81546/3 "2018-02-26T14:40:33Z")
> [@RCheesley](#):
>
> I wondered if it possible to have categories where users can see the category, but they can’t see posts within unless they are of a certain group?
You cant do this with category’s per say but groups will provide you with what you need.
You can create a public group where members can apply for membership and you that to prevent regular members from accessing the category
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### Author:  [@RCheesley](https://meta.discourse.org/u/RCheesley)
#### Post date: [2월 26, 2018, 2:58오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/query-on-how-to-create-a-category-which-can-be-seen-but-posts-cant/81546/4 "2018-02-26T14:58:43Z")
Thanks folks, I’d considered both these options - also came across a plugin but it’s been inactive for the past 2 years so unsure if it would still work: [GitHub - rilla/discourse-show-private-categories: Discourse plugin to allow users to see categories read-limited categories and request access to them · GitHub](https://github.com/rilla/discourse-show-private-categories).
I think I’ll have to set expectations that people use ‘groups’ to find the interest groups which are available and set them all as allowing people to join. At least with a bit of user-education people should be able to figure that out!
Ruth
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### Author:  [@sam](https://meta.discourse.org/u/sam)
#### Post date: [2월 27, 2018, 7:23오전 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/query-on-how-to-create-a-category-which-can-be-seen-but-posts-cant/81546/5 "2018-02-27T07:23:28Z")
Hmm … what about making “Groups” more prominent with
> [@Add /groups to top nav](https://meta.discourse.org/t/add-groups-to-top-nav/65193):
>
> Location Repo: [GitHub - alehandrof/discourse-group-nav: Add group nav for Discourse (theme component)](https://github.com/alehandrof/discourse-group-nav)About This theme component adds the full nav bar on both mobile and desktop on the groups page: It’s based on [the component that does the same thing with /users](https://meta.discourse.org/t/add-users-to-top-nav/63681). So much so, that I’m not really sure how this works slight_smileInstall guide [How to install a theme or theme component](https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-do-i-install-a-theme-or-theme-component/63682)
Then it’s clear what groups exist and you can easily ask for membership from there.
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### Author:  [@RCheesley](https://meta.discourse.org/u/RCheesley)
#### Post date: [2월 27, 2018, 8:45오전 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/query-on-how-to-create-a-category-which-can-be-seen-but-posts-cant/81546/6 "2018-02-27T08:45:02Z")
That’s great, thanks so much for sharing! I’ll have a poke about and see how it goes!
Ruth
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### Author:  [@Stranik](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Stranik)
#### Post date: [2월 27, 2018, 1:00오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/query-on-how-to-create-a-category-which-can-be-seen-but-posts-cant/81546/7 "2018-02-27T13:00:39Z")
The discourse-show-private-categories plugin won’t work, but you can easily make it work by changing the layout of the templates. You can see what templates are changed in this plugin.
[https://github.com/Toxu-ru/private-categories](https://github.com/Toxu-ru/private-categories)
But, I reworked the plugin for my tasks. So, what I have it won’t work as you need. Copy it to yourself and make changes to the templates the way you want by comparing 2 plugins.
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### Author:  [@system](https://meta.discourse.org/u/system)
#### Post date: [6월 15, 2020, 1:10오후 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/query-on-how-to-create-a-category-which-can-be-seen-but-posts-cant/81546/9 "2020-06-15T13:10:22Z")