Using anonymous mode to reply or create topics

[Discourse]

This guide explains how to use anonymous mode on Discourse, allowing users to reply or create topics anonymously.

Required user level: All users.

Anonymous mode is not enabled by default. It must first be enabled and configured by an administrator. See: Enable and configure anonymous mode for details on how to enable this feature.

Anonymous mode lets logged-in users switch from their regular account to an anonymous account. This enables users to create topics and replies without revealing any personal information in the Discourse user interface.

Summary

This guide covers:

• How to enter anonymous mode
• Replying to and creating topics in anonymous mode
• Exiting anonymous mode

Enter anonymous mode

To enter anonymous mode:

1. Click your avatar in the site header.
2. Navigate to the user menu using the person icon
3. Select the “Enter Anonymous Mode” option:

After selecting anonymous mode, a new username and avatar will be generated:

The username will follow the format anonymous plus a number, such as anonymous1. The first anonymous user created on the site will simply be anonymous without a number.

Reply or create topics

When you are in anonymous mode, any topics or replies you create will be posted under your generated anonymous username. No details will connect your anonymous user to your regular account.

While no details in the UI will connect the anonymous account to your regular user account, it is possible for admins to find which user created each anonymous account.

Exit anonymous mode

To exit anonymous mode and return to your regular user account:

1. Click your avatar in the site header.
2. Navigate to the user menu using the person icon
3. Select “Exit Anonymous Mode”:

Last edited by @JammyDodger 2024-07-01T20:34:01Z

Last checked by @JammyDodger 2024-07-01T22:46:15Z

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