# \#explanation **URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/tag/explanation/479.md [Latest](https://meta.discourse.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://meta.discourse.org/categories.md) · [Tags](https://meta.discourse.org/tags.md) --- ## [Composer Popup Messages Guide](https://meta.discourse.org/t/composer-popup-messages-guide/317734)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2026, 2:16pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/composer-popup-messages-guide/317734 "2026-09-11T14:16:40Z")
:bookmark: This guide explains the various composer messages that can appear, their relevant site settings, and how to disable them. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: Administrator In Discourse, certain popu… --- ## [Adding a new 'managed' authentication method to Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/t/adding-a-new-managed-authentication-method-to-discourse/106695)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2023, 7:48am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/adding-a-new-managed-authentication-method-to-discourse/106695 "2023-11-29T07:48:14Z")
Continuing from Future Social Authentication Improvements… We are now in the process of moving all ‘associated account’ information into a single database table. This will help to significantly reduce duplicated logic, … --- ## [Using the JS API](https://meta.discourse.org/t/using-the-js-api/41281)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2026, 7:30am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/using-the-js-api/41281 "2026-01-30T07:30:33Z")
Discourse’s JavaScript API allows themes and plugins to make extensive customizations to the user experience. The simplest way to use it is to create a new theme from the admin panel, click “Edit Code”, and then head to … --- ## [What is a staff user on hosted Discourse?](https://meta.discourse.org/t/what-is-a-staff-user-on-hosted-discourse/112219)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2019, 7:02am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/what-is-a-staff-user-on-hosted-discourse/112219 "2019-03-21T07:02:36Z")
When choosing a Discourse hosting plan, you might notice that each plan has a different Staff limit: Starter: 2 Pro: 5 (also the legacy Basic plan) Business: 15 Enterprise: unlimited This topic will help outline what … --- ## [MKJ's Opinionated Discourse Deployment Configuration](https://meta.discourse.org/t/mkjs-opinionated-discourse-deployment-configuration/193355)
**Author:** [@mcdanlj](https://meta.discourse.org/u/mcdanlj)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2026, 3:56pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/mkjs-opinionated-discourse-deployment-configuration/193355 "2026-08-07T15:56:28Z")
I have been running a Discourse forum with a substantial amount of content and plenty of images over the past few years. Maker Forums has over 100GB of images and over 400,000 posts, of which a substantial amount was imp… --- ## [Understanding closed, unlisted, and archived topics](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-closed-unlisted-and-archived-topics/51238)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2025, 10:34pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-closed-unlisted-and-archived-topics/51238 "2025-07-13T22:34:57Z")
:bookmark: This guide explains the differences between closed, unlisted, and archived topics in Discourse, including their characteristics, visual indicators, and use cases. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: A… --- ## [Minimizing Maintenance on Theme Customizations](https://meta.discourse.org/t/minimizing-maintenance-on-theme-customizations/261388)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2023, 11:58pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/minimizing-maintenance-on-theme-customizations/261388 "2023-04-11T23:58:36Z")
Discourse is highly customizable, enabling you to modify almost any aspect of its appearance through themes. To maintain compatibility with ongoing Discourse updates and new features, all themes require occasional maint… --- ## [Discourse Moderation Guide - Part 1: Getting Started](https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-moderation-guide-part-1-getting-started/63116)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2026, 10:18pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-moderation-guide-part-1-getting-started/63116 "2026-06-25T22:18:21Z")
:bookmark: This guide introduces the role of a moderator in a Discourse forum, explaining how to welcome new users, recognize helpful contributors, and communicate effectively with your moderation team. It covers the fo… --- ## [Troubleshooting Outgoing Email](https://meta.discourse.org/t/troubleshooting-outgoing-email/271484)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 9:20pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/troubleshooting-outgoing-email/271484 "2024-02-27T21:20:04Z")
:bookmark: This is an explanation guide discussing how admins can troubleshoot outgoing email from a Discourse site. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: Administrator Discourse relies heavily on email for user… --- ## [Configuring Default Notification Settings for Users](https://meta.discourse.org/t/configuring-default-notification-settings-for-users/285619)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2026, 2:57pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/configuring-default-notification-settings-for-users/285619 "2026-02-20T14:57:20Z")
:bookmark: This is an explanation guide intended to help understand the process of configuring default notification settings for users on a Discourse site. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: Administrator As … --- ## [Understanding pageviews and the site traffic report](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-pageviews-and-the-site-traffic-report/324062)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2026, 11:27pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-pageviews-and-the-site-traffic-report/324062 "2026-05-05T23:27:54Z")
:bookmark: This is an explanation about how Discourse handles pageviews and how to interpret the “Site traffic” report. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: Administrator What are pageviews in Discourse? Pagev… --- ## [Read Only Modes in Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/t/read-only-modes-in-discourse/296976)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2026, 2:43pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/read-only-modes-in-discourse/296976 "2026-05-01T14:43:09Z")
:bookmark: This guide explains the various read-only modes available in Discourse, how to enable and disable them, and the scenarios in which you might want to use each mode. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: … --- ## [Hidden Settings on Discourse Hosted Sites](https://meta.discourse.org/t/hidden-settings-on-discourse-hosted-sites/310574)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2026, 11:15pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/hidden-settings-on-discourse-hosted-sites/310574 "2026-03-12T23:15:59Z")
:bookmark: This is a guide for describing all available hidden site settings on Discourse hosted sites, how to request them, and why you might want to adjust them. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: Administrat… --- ## [Configuring and managing the sign-up flow with user approval](https://meta.discourse.org/t/configuring-and-managing-the-sign-up-flow-with-user-approval/112128)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2026, 11:02pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/configuring-and-managing-the-sign-up-flow-with-user-approval/112128 "2026-04-04T23:02:29Z")
:bookmark: This guide explains the sign-up process when the “must approve users” setting is enabled, including configuration steps and the user experience. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: Administrator Whe… --- ## [Understanding Discourse release channels](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-discourse-release-channels/264400)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2023, 1:39pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-discourse-release-channels/264400 "2023-05-09T13:39:21Z")
:bookmark: This guide explains the different types of Discourse releases and how different channels are used for updates. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: All users Release channels Discourse has four prim… --- ## [Handling split-horizon / split-view DNS while on our hosting](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-split-horizon-split-view-dns-while-on-our-hosting/121902)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2019, 3:57pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/handling-split-horizon-split-view-dns-while-on-our-hosting/121902 "2019-07-02T15:57:01Z")
Sometimes even after correctly configuring DNS for your new Discourse site hosted with us: You still cannot access the site and only reach an error page: If this persists for a while (nameservers will cache negat… --- ## [Understanding "helpful flags" on user profiles](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-helpful-flags-on-user-profiles/25385)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2015, 3:30am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-helpful-flags-on-user-profiles/25385 "2015-02-19T03:30:14Z")
:bookmark: This topic explains what “helpful flags” means on a user’s profile page and how this metric is calculated. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: Moderators and Admin When you view a user’s profile on … --- ## [Understanding the notifications menu in Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-the-notifications-menu-in-discourse/3059)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2013, 7:37am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-the-notifications-menu-in-discourse/3059 "2013-02-14T07:37:50Z")
:bookmark: This guide explains how the notifications menu works in Discourse, including the different types of notifications and where they appear in the interface. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: All users … --- ## [Setting a primary group for users](https://meta.discourse.org/t/setting-a-primary-group-for-users/25857)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2025, 9:53am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/setting-a-primary-group-for-users/25857 "2025-01-25T09:53:19Z")
:bookmark: This guide explains the concept of “Primary Group” in Discourse, detailing what it does and how to set it up. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: Administrator What is a primary group? A primary gr… --- ## [Multisite configuration with Docker](https://meta.discourse.org/t/multisite-configuration-with-docker/14084)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2014, 5:21am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/multisite-configuration-with-docker/14084 "2014-03-25T05:21:03Z")
:warning: While multisite is supported in the Discourse application, this is an advanced sysadmin setup. If you don’t know what you’re doing, do not set up multisite. The Discourse team is unable to provide multisite c… --- ## [Understanding Likes in Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-likes-in-discourse/30803)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2015, 3:25pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-likes-in-discourse/30803 "2015-07-05T15:25:14Z")
:bookmark: This guide explains the concept of “Likes” in Discourse, their functionality, and their significance in the Discourse ecosystem. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: All users The :heart: “Like butto… --- ## [Full site CDN acceleration for Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/t/full-site-cdn-acceleration-for-discourse/21467)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2025, 12:39pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/full-site-cdn-acceleration-for-discourse/21467 "2025-08-22T12:39:03Z")
Fastly , CloudFlare and a few other CDNs offer a mode where they accelerate dynamic content. In a nutshell you point your domain IP address at the CDN and the CDN will intelligently decide how to deal with the request. … --- ## [Understanding suggested topics logic](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-suggested-topics-logic/252936)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2024, 11:59pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-suggested-topics-logic/252936 "2024-04-25T23:59:55Z")
:bookmark: This is a guide that explains the logic Discourse uses to determine which suggested topics appear at the bottom of the topic you are currently reading. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: Any Sugges… --- ## [Upcoming Changes](https://meta.discourse.org/t/upcoming-changes/395390)
**Author:** [@lindsey](https://meta.discourse.org/u/lindsey)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2026, 1:26pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/upcoming-changes/395390 "2026-02-10T13:26:19Z")
The Upcoming Changes system helps admins understand, test, and manage new features and changes coming to Discourse before they’re fully deployed. Accessing Upcoming Changes Navigate to Admin \> Upcoming Changes (or visit… --- ## [Understanding groups and category permissions](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-groups-and-category-permissions/87678)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2018, 8:33pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-groups-and-category-permissions/87678 "2018-05-16T20:33:10Z")
:bookmark: This guide explains how to manage category visibility and user permissions using groups in Discourse. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: Administrator Groups and category permissions are crucial fo… --- ## [Contributing to Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/t/contributing-to-discourse/53797)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2016, 3:07pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/contributing-to-discourse/53797 "2016-12-05T15:07:38Z")
:bookmark: This is a guide on how to contribute to the Discourse open-source project in various ways including advocacy, design, translation, code contributions, bug reporting, and financial support. … --- ## [Tips for Preventing Spam](https://meta.discourse.org/t/tips-for-preventing-spam/264020)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2025, 11:32pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/tips-for-preventing-spam/264020 "2025-12-01T23:32:06Z")
:bookmark: This documentation provides a comprehensive guide on preventing spam in Discourse forums, and includes information about various settings and tools designed to help maintain a spam-free community environment. … --- ## [Running Out of AI credits? Available Options and Next Steps](https://meta.discourse.org/t/running-out-of-ai-credits-available-options-and-next-steps/389109)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2025, 6:28pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/running-out-of-ai-credits-available-options-and-next-steps/389109 "2025-11-28T18:28:19Z")
If you’re using our CDCK Hosted LLM and you’ve run out of AI credits, don’t worry, you still have a few options to keep your AI features running smoothly. Why this happens Each Discourse site comes pre-configured with… --- ## [Cookie Consent, GDPR, and Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/t/cookie-consent-gdpr-and-discourse/260459)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2025, 7:01pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/cookie-consent-gdpr-and-discourse/260459 "2025-10-10T19:01:35Z")
:books: This is an explanation guide for describing how the technical aspects of GDPR and Cookie Consent operate within Discourse, along with options for Cookie Consent management and Content Manager Services. … --- ## [Understanding and managing post notices](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-and-managing-post-notices/326962)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2025, 6:52pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-and-managing-post-notices/326962 "2025-09-30T18:52:22Z")
:bookmark: This guide explains what post notices are and how you can manage and configure them for your site. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: Administrator This documentation topic covers: What post noti… [Next page](https://meta.discourse.org/tag/explanation/479.md?match_all_tags=true&page=1&tags%5B%5D=explanation)