# Whisper Warning
**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/whisper-warning/400629
**Category:** Theme component
**Tags:** official, whispers
**Created:** [April 14, 2026, 6:53pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/whisper-warning/400629 "2026-04-14T18:53:00Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2026, 6:53pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/whisper-warning/400629/1 "2026-04-14T18:53:01Z")
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ℹ | **Summary** | Adds a warning button to the composer so staff don’t accidentally post publicly when they meant to whisper |
| 👓 | **Preview** | |
| 🛠 | **Repository** | [GitHub - discourse/discourse-whisper-warning: This component better distinguishes a public reply from a whisper. · GitHub](https://github.com/discourse/discourse-whisper-warning) |
| ❓ | **Install Guide** | [How to install a theme or theme component](https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-do-i-install-a-theme-or-theme-component/63682) |
| 📖 | **New to Discourse Themes?** | [Beginner’s guide to using Discourse Themes](https://meta.discourse.org/t/beginners-guide-to-using-discourse-themes/91966) |
Install this theme component
Adds a toggle button to the composer that shows whether your reply will be a whisper (staff-only) or a public reply. Clicking the button toggles whisper mode, making it easy to catch mistakes before posting.
By default the warning appears in read\_restricted categories, and in PMs. Setting can be used to customize the scope to your use-case.
### Settings
| Setting | Default | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Whisper only** | off | Only show the button when actively composing a whisper. Hides it for public replies. |
| **Show in read-restricted categories** | on | Automatically show the warning in categories that aren’t publicly visible. |
| **Show in group PMs** | on | Automatically show the warning in PMs where you’re a member of one of the allowed groups. |
| **Restrict to groups** | empty | Limit the warning to members of specific groups. Leave empty to show for all users who can whisper. |
| **Restrict to categories** | empty | Only show the warning in specific categories. Works alongside the read-restricted setting. |
When **show in read-restricted categories** , **show in group PMs** , or **restrict to categories** are configured, they act as context filters — the warning appears if _any_ of them match. When none are configured, the warning shows everywhere.
**Restrict to groups** and **whisper only** are global filters that narrow visibility further.
---
### Author:  [@Lilly](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Lilly)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2026, 5:16pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/whisper-warning/400629/2 "2026-04-16T17:16:21Z")
i think something is broken in this component because the `Show in restricted categories` and `Restrict to categories` settings seem to cancel each other out (rather than work alongside). now i cannot seem to get this component to work in every category, regardless of restrictions.
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### Author:  [@david](https://meta.discourse.org/u/david)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2026, 5:17pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/whisper-warning/400629/3 "2026-04-16T17:17:59Z")
In theory, disabling both those switches, and keeping the category list empty, should make it apply everywhere. Is that the combination you’re trying?
On Meta we have both of those checkboxes enabled, and it seems to be showing in private categories & in our group PMs correctly.
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### Author:  [@Lilly](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Lilly)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/whisper-warning/400629/4 "2026-04-16T17:21:43Z")
ok i got it working again now. the setting descriptions aren’t very clear. not sure why it wasn’t working for me before in all categories when i had both of those unchecked before (i’ve been trying all combinations). 🤔
thanks David
---
### Author:  [@david](https://meta.discourse.org/u/david)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2026, 5:23pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/whisper-warning/400629/5 "2026-04-16T17:23:25Z")
Ok, glad to hear it’s working!
If you have any ideas on improving the setting descriptions, please do let us know. I agree it’s kinda confusing how the different settings interact with each other.
We have this description in the OP at the moment:
> [@Discourse](#):
>
> When **show in read-restricted categories** , **show in group PMs** , or **restrict to categories** are configured, they act as context filters — the warning appears if _any_ of them match. When none are configured, the warning shows everywhere.
---
### Author:  [@Lilly](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Lilly)
#### Post date: [April 16, 2026, 5:24pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/whisper-warning/400629/6 "2026-04-16T17:24:57Z")
> [@Discourse](#):
>
> When none are configured, the warning shows everywhere.
yea i was trying this earlier, but it wasn’t working for me. probably issue between keyboard and chair though 😉
edit: DEFINITELY an issue between keyboard and seat 🤦🏻♀️ 😆
