# 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:** 1
**Showing post:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Discourse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/discourse/32/148734_2.png) [@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")

</div>

| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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.

 ![Public reply](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/4X/6/d/1/6d13ee56c973f3bfe3178a8f58d2632b89d1cc0c.png)

 ![Whisper](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/4X/8/b/b/8bbdc3e048fc7bf230113fa55b4367c5d54fcacf.png)

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.

---

_[View the full topic](https://meta.discourse.org/t/whisper-warning/400629)._