Configure Joomla Group Permissions for a QCLF Category
QCLF Category ACL controls the actions members and moderators can perform inside a Category. It works alongside Category visibility, feature inheritance, moderation assignment, Topic state, sanctions, and commercial entitlement.
Use the Category matrix to express explicit exceptions by Joomla group without turning every forum rule into a separate Joomla Access Level.
Open Category Permissions
- Open Sections & Categories and edit the Category.
- Under Joomla Group Permissions, open only the Joomla groups that need explicit overrides.
- Set the required actions to Inherit, Allow, or Deny.
- Save, then test allowed and denied accounts on the frontend.
Current Category Action Groups
| Area | Actions in the current matrix |
|---|---|
| Visibility | View Category |
| Discussion/member content | Create Discussion Topics; Reply to Topics; Edit Own Topics; Edit Own Messages; Delete Own Topics; Delete Own Messages |
| Moderation | Moderate Topics; Restore Deleted Topics & Messages; Permanently Delete Deleted Topics; Move Topics; Merge Topics; Split Topics; Report Content |
| Attachments/reactions/polls | Upload Attachments; Use Reactions; Create Polls; Vote in Polls |
| Live Chat | Create; Start Now; Schedule; Participate; Moderate; Mute Participants; Lock Live Chat |
| Watch Party | Create; Start Now; Schedule; Participate in Watch Party Chat |
| Live Broadcast | Create; Start Now; Schedule; Participate in Live Broadcast Chat |
Inherit Is a Fall-Through, Not an Automatic Deny
QCLF stores only explicit Allow or Deny rows. Choosing Inherit removes the Category-specific decision for that group/action, so the runtime falls through to the action’s normal product default or assigned-moderator logic.
For visibility, no explicit View Category rule means the earlier publication/access/parent gates control access unless another applicable group rule resolves. For member and moderation actions, the caller supplies the appropriate default and QCLF still applies feature/state checks.
Feature and Tier Gates Remain Separate
An ACL Allow cannot enable Attachments, Polls, Live Chat, Watch Party, or Broadcast when the resolved capability is disabled. Watch Party still requires Max/All Access, Broadcast still requires Pro+, and state/sanction checks still apply.
Moderator Assignment and ACL Can Work Together
Global or Category moderator groups establish moderator identity. Specific moderation-action ACL can further shape many moderation actions for assigned moderators. Component Manage Moderation or core.admin remains a separate global authority path.
Verify Safely
- Use one account that should be allowed and one that should be denied.
- Test the exact action, not only whether the button is visible.
- If a rule appears ignored, inspect the user’s child/parent Joomla groups and QCLF specificity resolution.
- Keep ACL overrides minimal so future troubleshooting remains understandable.
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.