Choose a Category Default Topic Sort
Each QCLF Category has a Default Topic Sort that controls the normal order of Topics on that Category page. The setting is stored directly on the Category and is validated against six current sort modes.
Pinned Topics remain ahead of ordinary Topics; the selected sort determines the order within the rest of the list.
Choose the Sort
- Open Sections & Categories and edit the Category.
- Choose a value under Default Topic Sort.
- Save and reload the frontend Category page.
The Six Current Sort Modes
| Mode | Frontend ordering |
|---|---|
| Latest Activity | Newest last_activity_at first; Topic ID breaks ties. |
| Newest Topic | Newest Topic creation time first. |
| Oldest Topic | Oldest Topic creation time first. |
| Most Messages | Highest reply count first, then latest activity. |
| Most Viewed | Highest view count first, then latest activity. |
| Most Reacted | Highest reaction count first, then latest activity. |
Validation and Fallback
The saved values are latest_activity, newest_topic, oldest_topic, most_replies, most_viewed, and most_reacted. If an invalid value reaches the save service, QCLF falls back to Latest Activity.
What the Sort Does Not Change
- It does not change Topic IDs, dates, state, pin status, or Category membership.
- It does not override access filtering; users still see only Topics inside a Category they can access.
- It does not change Search, Following, Unread, or other Browse-tab ordering rules.
- It does not automatically feature or pin popular Topics.
Community Discussion
Want to compare forum workflows, share practical QCLF tips, or discuss how other Joomla site owners use this feature? Visit the QC Live Forum Community. For private support, bug reports, account-specific entitlement problems, or feature requests, use the QuantaCade support system.