# \#reference **URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/tag/reference/482.md [Latest](https://meta.discourse.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://meta.discourse.org/categories.md) · [Tags](https://meta.discourse.org/tags.md) --- ## [Configure your hosted Discourse site to run at the root or apex domain (e.g. example.com)](https://meta.discourse.org/t/configure-your-hosted-discourse-site-to-run-at-the-root-or-apex-domain-e-g-example-com/60951)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/configure-your-hosted-discourse-site-to-run-at-the-root-or-apex-domain-e-g-example-com/60951 "2025-03-18T18:16:01Z")
:bookmark: This guide explains how to configure a hosted Discourse site to run at the root or apex domain (for example, example.com instead of forum.example.com). The general process for changing your site’s domain name… --- ## [Understanding user statuses, roles, and permissions](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-user-statuses-roles-and-permissions/35171)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2015, 3:36am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-user-statuses-roles-and-permissions/35171 "2015-11-02T03:36:48Z")
:bookmark: This is a guide for understanding the various user statuses, roles, and permissions within Discourse, including how they affect user capabilities and how they are stored in the database. … --- ## [Configure an S3 compatible object storage provider for uploads](https://meta.discourse.org/t/configure-an-s3-compatible-object-storage-provider-for-uploads/148916)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 267\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2026, 1:04am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/configure-an-s3-compatible-object-storage-provider-for-uploads/148916 "2026-09-15T01:04:57Z")
:information\_source: This topic covers how to configure some common S3 compatible Object Storage providers (S3 clones). See Set up file and image uploads to S3 for more details about Amazon AWS S3 configuration, whic… --- ## [Developer's guide to Markdown extensions](https://meta.discourse.org/t/developers-guide-to-markdown-extensions/66023)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2026, 8:45am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/developers-guide-to-markdown-extensions/66023 "2026-06-01T08:45:53Z")
Discourse uses a Markdown engine called Markdown-it. Here are some dev notes that will help you either fix bugs in core or create your new plugins. The Basics Discourse only contains a few helpers on top of the engine,… --- ## [Theme Developer Quick Reference Guide](https://meta.discourse.org/t/theme-developer-quick-reference-guide/110448)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2021, 5:13pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/theme-developer-quick-reference-guide/110448 "2021-06-28T17:13:16Z")
As themes grow more powerful, there’s more to remember about how they work. We have loads of detailed documentation under #theme-guides, but if you just need something to jog your memory, this guide may help. General Re… --- ## [Available settings within the category edit page](https://meta.discourse.org/t/available-settings-within-the-category-edit-page/248435)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2026, 1:49pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/available-settings-within-the-category-edit-page/248435 "2026-05-07T13:49:19Z")
:bookmark: This is a reference guide on the settings for parent and child categories. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: Administrator (or moderator if the moderators manage categories setting is enabled) The… --- ## [Preventing accidental serialization of ActiveRecord models](https://meta.discourse.org/t/preventing-accidental-serialization-of-activerecord-models/314495)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2024, 5:59pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/preventing-accidental-serialization-of-activerecord-models/314495 "2024-07-23T17:59:58Z")
We’ve introduced a patch to prevent the accidental serialization of ActiveRecord models without specifying the fields to be serialized. This change ensures that we control which fields are included, avoiding potential is… --- ## [User API keys specification](https://meta.discourse.org/t/user-api-keys-specification/48536)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2025, 10:30am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/user-api-keys-specification/48536 "2025-09-22T10:30:43Z")
Discourse contains a system for generating API keys per user if a very specific protocol is followed. This feature facilitates “application” access to Discourse instances without needing to involve moderators. High le… --- ## [Admin guide to tags in Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/t/admin-guide-to-tags-in-discourse/121041)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2026, 12:54pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/admin-guide-to-tags-in-discourse/121041 "2026-03-22T12:54:10Z")
:bookmark: This guide explains how Discourse tags work, how to configure tag settings, and how to manage tags across your site. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: Administrator Managing tags in Discourse Tag… --- ## [Beginner's guide to using Discourse Themes](https://meta.discourse.org/t/beginners-guide-to-using-discourse-themes/91966)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2026, 4:11pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/beginners-guide-to-using-discourse-themes/91966 "2026-07-09T16:11:55Z")
This is a crash course in Discourse theme basics. The target audience is everyone who is not familiar with Discourse themes. If you’ve already used Discourse theme / theme components, this guide is probably not somethin… --- ## [Discourse Trust Levels: A Detailed Explanation](https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-trust-levels-a-detailed-explanation/396792)
**Author:** [@chapoi](https://meta.discourse.org/u/chapoi)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2026, 3:54pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-trust-levels-a-detailed-explanation/396792 "2026-06-26T15:54:58Z")
This topic explains how the Discourse trust level system works behind the scenes. It provides an overview of how each level is calculated and describes in more detail what requirements need to be met to progress. While m… --- ## [Finding Discourse RSS feeds](https://meta.discourse.org/t/finding-discourse-rss-feeds/264134)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2025, 1:18pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/finding-discourse-rss-feeds/264134 "2025-01-18T13:18:10Z")
:bookmark: A comprehensive reference guide to all available RSS feeds in Discourse, including URL structures, authentication requirements, and best practices for feed readers. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level:… --- ## [Administrative Bulk Operations](https://meta.discourse.org/t/administrative-bulk-operations/118349)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2026, 7:43pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/administrative-bulk-operations/118349 "2026-06-12T19:43:12Z")
Below you will find a collection of bulk operations that can be initiated from the command line. You will need SSH access, so if you are a hosted customer, you will need to contact the Discourse team about running thes… --- ## [Watched Words Reference Guide](https://meta.discourse.org/t/watched-words-reference-guide/241735)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2026, 2:30pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/watched-words-reference-guide/241735 "2026-02-16T14:30:34Z")
:bookmark: This is a reference guide for describing how the Watched Words page functions and the different types of action types you can use to block specific words on a Discourse site. :person\_raising\_hand: Required u… --- ## [Structure of themes and theme components](https://meta.discourse.org/t/structure-of-themes-and-theme-components/60848)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2017, 3:41pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/structure-of-themes-and-theme-components/60848 "2017-04-12T15:41:30Z")
Discourse supports native themes that can be sourced from a .tar.gz archive or from a remote git repository including private repositories. An example theme is at: GitHub - discourse/discourse-simple-theme: Sam's sim… --- ## [Hidden Site Settings Reference Guide](https://meta.discourse.org/t/hidden-site-settings-reference-guide/308774)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2024, 10:55pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/hidden-site-settings-reference-guide/308774 "2024-05-20T22:55:23Z")
:bookmark: This is a reference guide for describing all available Hidden Site Settings. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: Administrator Hidden site settings in Discourse are advanced configuration options th… --- ## [Using Regex with Watched Words](https://meta.discourse.org/t/using-regex-with-watched-words/241861)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2024, 6:03pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/using-regex-with-watched-words/241861 "2024-06-14T18:03:17Z")
:bookmark: This topic explains how to effectively use regular expressions (regex) within Discourse’s Watched Words feature. :discourse: For sites on our hosting, these settings are hidden. Customers on paid hosting pla… --- ## [Trust Level Permissions Reference](https://meta.discourse.org/t/trust-level-permissions-reference/224824)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2025, 7:17pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/trust-level-permissions-reference/224824 "2025-08-27T19:17:11Z")
:bookmark: This reference aims to be a comprehensive list of Discourse features, marked by Trust Level, and including the relevant admin settings which influence them. Trust level names TL0: New (newuser) TL1: Basic … --- ## [Alternative icons](https://meta.discourse.org/t/alternative-icons/206693)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2026, 4:36pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/alternative-icons/206693 "2026-04-07T16:36:02Z")
By default, Discourse bundles icons from the excellent FontAwesome library. But there are a lot of free-to-use icon libraries out there. This topic is the home of alternative icon sets. It lists some theme components tha… --- ## [Filtering topic lists in Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/t/filtering-topic-lists-in-discourse/375558)
**Author:** [@sam](https://meta.discourse.org/u/sam)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2026, 9:08am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/filtering-topic-lists-in-discourse/375558 "2026-04-03T09:08:14Z")
:bookmark: This guide explains Discourse’s advanced topic filtering system, including the complete query language syntax, filter options, and how to use the /filter route effectively. :person\_raising\_hand: Required use… --- ## [Discourse REST API Documentation](https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-rest-api-documentation/22706)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2014, 2:42pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-rest-api-documentation/22706 "2014-12-01T14:42:20Z")
Discourse API Please view the Discourse API Documentation site for detailed info: https://docs.discourse.org :information\_source: Authentication API requests must use HTTP header based authentication. Pass your Api-… --- ## [Configuring Activity Summary emails](https://meta.discourse.org/t/configuring-activity-summary-emails/36627)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2025, 2:28pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/configuring-activity-summary-emails/36627 "2025-06-30T14:28:58Z")
:bookmark: This guide explains how to configure and manage activity summary emails in Discourse, including user and admin options, customization, and troubleshooting. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: Administ… --- ## [Understanding and using badges](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-and-using-badges/32540)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2015, 10:20am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-and-using-badges/32540 "2015-08-26T10:20:17Z")
:bookmark: This guide explains what badges are in Discourse, how they work, and how to use them effectively. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: All users Badges in Discourse are a key feature that reinforces … --- ## [Using topic templates for categories](https://meta.discourse.org/t/using-topic-templates-for-categories/38295)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2025, 2:03pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/using-topic-templates-for-categories/38295 "2025-11-02T14:03:04Z")
:bookmark: This guide explains how to use topic templates in categories and explores alternative methods for structuring content in Discourse. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: Administrator Topic templates … --- ## [How public Discourse sites are indexed by search engines like Google](https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-public-discourse-sites-are-indexed-by-search-engines-like-google/1184)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2013, 12:14pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-public-discourse-sites-are-indexed-by-search-engines-like-google/1184 "2013-02-06T12:14:19Z")
:bookmark: This reference explains how public Discourse sites work with search engines like Google and how the platform ensures content is properly indexed even as a JavaScript application. :person\_raising\_hand: Requir… --- ## [Understanding post flags in Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-post-flags-in-discourse/275)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2026, 7:17pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/understanding-post-flags-in-discourse/275 "2026-01-17T19:17:08Z")
:bookmark: This guide describes what happens when a post is flagged in a Discourse forum. It covers various flag scenarios, including single and multiple flags, along with their impacts on posts and users. This informat… --- ## [Admin dashboard report reference guide](https://meta.discourse.org/t/admin-dashboard-report-reference-guide/240233)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2026, 12:16am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/admin-dashboard-report-reference-guide/240233 "2026-03-03T00:16:15Z")
:bookmark: This is a reference guide for describing how the Admin Dashboard Reports function, the data they’re displaying, the corresponding Data Explorer SQL queries, and where to find the Ruby code for each report. … --- ## [Performing bulk actions as a moderator](https://meta.discourse.org/t/performing-bulk-actions-as-a-moderator/272832)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2023, 7:51pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/performing-bulk-actions-as-a-moderator/272832 "2023-09-03T19:51:54Z")
:bookmark: This reference guide describes the types of bulk actions available for moderators and site admins to perform on topics through the Discourse UI. :person\_raising\_hand: Required user level: Moderator or Admini… --- ## [Formatting posts using markdown, BBCode, and HTML](https://meta.discourse.org/t/formatting-posts-using-markdown-bbcode-and-html/239348)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2026, 6:47pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/formatting-posts-using-markdown-bbcode-and-html/239348 "2026-01-26T18:47:37Z")
:bookmark: This reference guide details all the formatting options available in Discourse posts, including markdown, BBCode, and HTML. It specifies what is supported and provides resources where you can see examples. … --- ## [Where in Discourse can users publicly share PII?](https://meta.discourse.org/t/where-in-discourse-can-users-publicly-share-pii/391021)
**Author:** [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2025, 11:43am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/where-in-discourse-can-users-publicly-share-pii/391021 "2025-12-11T11:43:09Z")
:bookmark: This guide identifies all the places where users might publicly or inadvertently share personally identifiable information (PII) through their own actions in Discourse, and how administrators can restrict or … [Next page](https://meta.discourse.org/tag/reference/482.md?match_all_tags=true&page=1&tags%5B%5D=reference)