# Restrict specific topics in a category to members only **URL:** \ **Category:** Support\ **Created:** [December 4, 2025, 9:00am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394 "2025-12-04T09:00:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lilydjwg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/lilydjwg/32/515838_2.png) [@lilydjwg](https://meta.discourse.org/u/lilydjwg)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 9:00am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394/1 "2025-12-04T09:00:39Z")
I’m looking for a tag-based permission on topics. My use case is that I have some topics that belong to a certain category because the way they are created (via RSS to be specific). But I want to restrict some of the topics to be member-only (i.e. not public). It would also work for me if I could set permissions on chosen topics, but it doesn’t seem possible either. ---
**Author:** ![mcwumbly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/mcwumbly/32/103861_2.png) [@mcwumbly](https://meta.discourse.org/u/mcwumbly)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 10:33am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394/2 "2025-12-04T10:33:16Z")
Are you solving this already in some other way (like moving them to a different category)? If this could be done with tags instead, would it need to be controlled by the RSS integration itself? Or is it something you’d apply after the topic is created? ---
**Author:** ![lilydjwg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/lilydjwg/32/515838_2.png) [@lilydjwg](https://meta.discourse.org/u/lilydjwg)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 10:35am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394/3 "2025-12-04T10:35:55Z")
I’m working around this by moving them to another category. It is not ideal, and I hope nothing breaks. > [@mcwumbly](#): > > Or is it something you’d apply after the topic is created? Yes, I apply it manually after seeing the topic. ---
**Author:** ![mcwumbly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/mcwumbly/32/103861_2.png) [@mcwumbly](https://meta.discourse.org/u/mcwumbly)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 11:05am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394/4 "2025-12-04T11:05:56Z")
> [@lilydjwg](#): > > It is not ideal, and I hope nothing breaks. Which part is the bigger problem for you? - a) having to use a different category instead of a tag in the same category, or - b) having to do something manual rather than automated ---
**Author:** ![lilydjwg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/lilydjwg/32/515838_2.png) [@lilydjwg](https://meta.discourse.org/u/lilydjwg)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 12:11pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394/5 "2025-12-04T12:11:35Z")
> [@mcwumbly](#): > > a) having to use a different category instead of a tag in the same category, or This one is the bigger problem for me. ---
**Author:** ![Heliosurge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/heliosurge/32/571810_2.png) [@Heliosurge](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Heliosurge)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2025, 6:32pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394/6 "2025-12-04T18:32:56Z")
I am wondering if maybe a custom automation could maybe be made to automate the move? Op currently from my understanding Tags have very little permission controls except tag only can be used by this group and for staff can also set whether it is viewable. I believe at present you would need a custom plugin. But if it is also for RSS feeds might also complicate it. So a category would be best with the permissions required to limit who can access/see topics ---
**Author:** ![lilydjwg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/lilydjwg/32/515838_2.png) [@lilydjwg](https://meta.discourse.org/u/lilydjwg)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 4:08am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394/7 "2025-12-05T04:08:27Z")
> [@Heliosurge](#): > > I am wondering if maybe a custom automation could maybe be made to automate the move? This doesn’t matter much for me, as the tag is assigned manually too. It would also work for me if an individual topic can be set member-only. ---
**Author:** ![Heliosurge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/heliosurge/32/571810_2.png) [@Heliosurge](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Heliosurge)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 8:08am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394/8 "2025-12-05T08:08:04Z")
Then that means either way the topic is public for a time before being manually tagged. So it sounds like you maybe need custom #Customization > Theme component that goes vest a group an option to move the topic to x category and apply y tag ---
**Author:** ![lilydjwg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/lilydjwg/32/515838_2.png) [@lilydjwg](https://meta.discourse.org/u/lilydjwg)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 8:34am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394/9 "2025-12-05T08:34:12Z")
No, I don’t _want_ to move it to another category. I _have to_ move it because lack of permission settings. ---
**Author:** ![Heliosurge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/heliosurge/32/571810_2.png) [@Heliosurge](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Heliosurge)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 8:56am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394/10 "2025-12-05T08:56:15Z")
Then you will be looking at creating a complex plugin or sponsoring one. The benefit of a Custom Theme Component moving the post and applying the tag makes it one click vs several. To add permission system similar to categories is not a simple task. The other and maybe simpler task would be to instead of using a tag, would be to switch it to a category with the name of the tag instead of using tags ---
**Author:** ![lilydjwg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/lilydjwg/32/515838_2.png) [@lilydjwg](https://meta.discourse.org/u/lilydjwg)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 9:12am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394/11 "2025-12-05T09:12:02Z")
OK, thanks for the explanation. > [@Heliosurge](#): > > The other and maybe simpler task would be to instead of using a tag, would be to switch it to a category with the name of the tag instead of using tags This may be the road forward for me. ---
**Author:** ![Heliosurge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/heliosurge/32/571810_2.png) [@Heliosurge](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Heliosurge)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 9:42am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394/12 "2025-12-05T09:42:46Z")
Looking over your Op statement. If you want those topics only viewable once moved by the Op and say a specific group. If your self hosted there is a #Customization > Plugin called Private Topics which is only viewable by the Topic Author and a configured group. Otherwise if hosted your plan would need to include that plugin. This is a link to that plugin > [@Private Topics Plugin](https://meta.discourse.org/t/private-topics-plugin/268646): > > information_sourceSummary Private Topics Enables private topics in a regular categoryhammer_and_wrenchRepository Link [GitHub - communiteq/discourse-private-topics · GitHub](https://github.com/communiteq/discourse-private-topics)open_bookInstall 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… ---
**Author:** ![lilydjwg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/lilydjwg/32/515838_2.png) [@lilydjwg](https://meta.discourse.org/u/lilydjwg)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 9:48am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394/13 "2025-12-05T09:48:04Z")
This plugin still ties to a category, and it doesn’t make a difference for me than use the category permissions. ---
**Author:** ![Heliosurge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/heliosurge/32/571810_2.png) [@Heliosurge](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Heliosurge)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 9:54am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394/14 "2025-12-05T09:54:59Z")
Yes it does but can go with the alternative to name a category the tag name and move topic to the Category. The plugin then makes it so only the Op and configured group(s) can view and respond in that topic That is if course if you only want the Op and specific group(s) able to view and interact. If you could maybe give an example of how the purpose of this direction works. Just to make understanding the direction you need/want to accomplish. Another option would be to use a main Category where ppl post. Then create Subcategories using the Tag names. The Subcategory(tag) could have refined permissions and you would only have to edit the Category to Category\Subcategory ---
**Author:** ![mcwumbly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/mcwumbly/32/103861_2.png) [@mcwumbly](https://meta.discourse.org/u/mcwumbly)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 10:04am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394/15 "2025-12-05T10:04:24Z")
> [@lilydjwg](#): > > > [@mcwumbly](#): > > > > a) having to use a different category instead of a tag in the same category, or > > This one is the bigger problem for me. Great, thanks for clarifying. Let’s focus on this part then. Can you help me understand why this is a problem for you and/or your community? What’s wrong with these topics ending up in a different category? (Does making the private category a subcategory of the public one help? Are you already doing that?) If you can share any screenshots or links that help to illustrate, even better. ---
**Author:** ![lilydjwg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/lilydjwg/32/515838_2.png) [@lilydjwg](https://meta.discourse.org/u/lilydjwg)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 10:12am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394/16 "2025-12-05T10:12:05Z")
> [@Heliosurge](#): > > If you could maybe give an example of how the purpose of this direction works. Just to make understanding the direction you need/want to accomplish. I want to restrict the visibility of some topics based on the content and moderator’s decision, i.e. they should only be visible to logged-in users. Usually this is done by moving them to a category that has such permissions configured. I also have setup the RSS Poll plugin to repost articles to another dedicated category on our forum (it’s called “Planet” because this functionality was provided by the now-dead [planetplanet.net](http://planetplanet.net) software). Now you see, a reposted-from-RSS article could also be the kind of topics that needs to have restricted visibility, but a topic can’t belong to two categories. On the other side, a topic needs to be put into a category, so most RSS articles end up in a one category and a few in another. I don’t feel good about this inconsistency. ---
**Author:** ![mcwumbly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/mcwumbly/32/103861_2.png) [@mcwumbly](https://meta.discourse.org/u/mcwumbly)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 10:13am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394/17 "2025-12-05T10:13:49Z")
I wonder if this theme component might be a good fit: [Gated Topics in Category](https://meta.discourse.org/t/gated-topics-in-category/225454) It has an `enabled tags` setting that sounds like what you might be looking for. ---
**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:** [December 5, 2025, 10:14am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394/18 "2025-12-05T10:14:50Z")
> [@lilydjwg](#): > > I don’t feel good about this inconsistency. Why is this an inconsistency? After all, they do have different permissions attached to them. And why would a different tag not be an inconsistency? If the more restrictive category is a subcategory of the other one then you won’t even really notice. ---
**Author:** ![lilydjwg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/lilydjwg/32/515838_2.png) [@lilydjwg](https://meta.discourse.org/u/lilydjwg)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 10:19am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394/19 "2025-12-05T10:19:40Z")
> [@RGJ](#): > > Why is this an inconsistency? After all, they do have different permissions attached to them. E.g. users may subscribe to the RSS category and miss some topics. > [@RGJ](#): > > And why would a different tag not be an inconsistency? Because I can add multiple tags to a topic. > [@RGJ](#): > > If the more restrictive category is a subcategory of the other one then you won’t even really notice. I haven’t started to use nested category yet. The forum was mitigated to Discourse only recently. > [@mcwumbly](#): > > I wonder if this theme component might be a good fit: [Gated Topics in Category](https://meta.discourse.org/t/gated-topics-in-category/225454) > > It has an `enabled tags` setting that sounds like what you might be looking for. This one seems promising! I’ll give it a try later. ---
**Author:** ![Heliosurge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/heliosurge/32/571810_2.png) [@Heliosurge](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Heliosurge)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2025, 10:24am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394/20 "2025-12-05T10:24:43Z")
> [@lilydjwg](#): > > I want to restrict the visibility of some topics based on the content and moderator’s decision, i.e. they should only be visible to logged-in users. Usually this is done by moving them to a category that has such permissions configured. For logged in user switch category permission See from everyone to ~~Trust Level 1~~ Trust Level 0. > [@lilydjwg](#): > > I also have setup the RSS Poll plugin to repost articles to another dedicated category on our forum (it’s called “Planet” because this functionality was provided by the now-dead [planetplanet.net](http://planetplanet.net) software). > > Now you see, a reposted-from-RSS article could also be the kind of topics that needs to have restricted visibility, but a topic can’t belong to two categories. On the other side, a topic needs to be put into a category, The Subcategory is still part of the main category. Though you may or may not need to tweak or add to your RSS setup. > [@lilydjwg](#): > > E.g. users may subscribe to the RSS category and miss some topics. This could be the case with having to educate users. But your current feed might be fine with using a nested subcategory [Next page](https://meta.discourse.org/t/restrict-specific-topics-in-a-category-to-members-only/390394.md?page=2)