Genesiv allows you the freedom to control what roles have what permissions in various public and private channels. For example, when creating a private channel, you will be able to configure access by specifying specific roles that will be allowed in. You will also be able to configure rules for those individual roles and what they are allowed to do in the specified channel. In addition, you will also be able to configure access requests so that roles will be allowed to submit a request-to-join application that you or your moderators will be able to review. This can be useful when you want to restrict private channels to certain groups of people, for example, subscribers, and would like to verify their subscription status before approving channel access.
Channel & Category Privacy
Adjusting privacy settings in both your channels and categories is what allows you to control access into your specific channel or category. When creating a private category, the access permissions allocated will affect, but not override, the channels contained within that category. Each channel in a Private category still has their own individual sets of access permissions.
To give an example, the following community has a Private category named 'Administration'. This Private category has been configured to allow access to the @student role.
Inside the Private Administration category is 3 Private channels; Sign-ups, Registration Forms, and Q&A. The @student role will have permission to access Sign-ups and Q&A, but not Registration Forms.
With this set-up, a member with a @student role will be able to view the following.
Here, you can see that the Registration Forms channel is hidden. This is because the access permissions for your Administration category, that allowed access to @student, doesn't override the privacy settings of the Registration Forms channel, which doesn't allow access to @student.
With this understanding of Channel & Category privacy, you'll be able to better configure how you control member access to your various chatrooms.
Configuring Access Permissions
2 types of access permissions can be configured for each channel. Role permissions and Channel Permissions.
- Role Permission: Related to private channel access and positions related to channel types. It's where you determine which roles or users can access private channels, or assign specific positions to roles or users within different channel types (e.g. assigning 'announcer' roles in announcement channels or 'messenger' roles in direct message channels).
- Channel Permissions: Deals with the abilities each role can exercise within a particular chatroom.
Role Permissions
Once you have your channel created, you'll be able to configure your role permissions. This allows you to delegate roles like 'announcers', 'messengers', and more across different channel types, or to decide which roles can view and enter your private channel. To do this, click on the '+' button. From there, select the roles or users that you would like to either give access to, or assign a position. Click 'save' when you're done!
When assigning roles to a private channel, the assigned users will be able to see the channel in the channel bar, access it, and read messages sent in it.
Channel Permissions
With all your roles assigned, the next step is to configure what specific actions each role or user will be able to carry out in the chatrooms.
To do so, click on the pencil icon located next to each role or user. Toggle on the permissions you want to give, and toggle off the permissions you want to take away. Click 'Save Changes' when you're done.
Request Channel Access
When you have a private channel, you can choose to toggle on Request Channel Access if you want members who do not currently have access to your channel, to see the channel in the channel bar and submit an application to be allowed in.
Once you've toggled on Request Channel Access, click on the '+' button and choose the roles and/or users that you'd like to allow to see, and apply for access to your channel.
Once that's done, decide to toggle 'Require Attachments' on, or leave it off. Turning on 'Require Attachments' would require everyone applying for access to upload forms of media (.pdfs, .pngs) when sending in their access request. This is useful when you're planning to give out channel access to members who complete certain tasks.
In the channel request description, provide instructions that help your community members understand the conditions for entry, and what they need to do to ensure their application is successful. (e.g. Follow us on all our social media. Attach screenshots as proof)
Viewing and Responding to Requests
You'll be able to view all your member's access requests can be seen by heading to server settings and heading to 'Request Management'.
From there, you will be able to view all your community channels and identify those with pending requests. Clicking into the channel allows you to view all pending requests. You will be able to view the request and attached files by clicking on the dropdown arrow next to the user icon, and on the paperclip respectively.
Accepting a Request
To accept a user's access request, mouse over to 'Accept'. On the assign roles window, you will need to assign the user a role that already has access to your private channel. Click on 'Accept', and the user will be notified that their request has been approved.
Rejecting a Request
To accept a user's access request, mouse over to 'Reject'. On the 'Reject User' window, you will be able to provide the user with a reason for rejection. Once you've input your message, click on 'Reject'. The user will be notified that their request has been rejected. Users that have been rejected will be able to request access again.
