Create or Edit a QCLF Category
A QCLF Category is the working forum container inside a Section. Topics always belong to a Category, and the Category combines Joomla viewing access with QCLF feature, moderation, content-policy, sorting, and action-permission rules.
Create or edit Categories from Components > QC Live Forum > Sections & Categories. The current editor preserves the Category record when you move it to another Section.
Create or Open a Category
- Open Sections & Categories.
- Select Add Category inside the intended Section, or Edit on an existing Category.
- Choose the parent Section. If you move an existing Category here, QCLF keeps the same Category ID and places it at the next ordering position in the new Section.
- Enter the Category details and save. Structure changes require Manage Forum.
Category Details
| Field | Current behavior |
|---|---|
| Section | Required parent Section. Every Topic is therefore indirectly inside a Section as well. |
| Category name | Required. QCLF trims and stores the cleaned title. |
| Alias | Optional. Leave blank for an automatic URL-safe alias. Aliases are unique within the selected Section. |
| Joomla access | Select the Joomla viewing access level. Parent Section access and QCLF ACL still apply. |
| Description | Optional plain-text Category introduction. |
| Default Topic Sort | Latest Activity, Newest Topic, Oldest Topic, Most Messages, Most Viewed, or Most Reacted. |
| Auto-Lock Inactivity | 0 disables the direct Category setting; otherwise enter days, up to the current validation maximum. |
| Sample / demo Category | Sample Categories do not accept real Topics until converted to live structure and do not consume the real structure quota. |
Category Capabilities
The editor exposes Discussion, Attachments, Reactions, Polls, @Mentions, Quote, Reply Reference, Live Chat, Watch Party, and Live Broadcast. Each Category value can Inherit, Enable, or Disable.
Inherit uses the parent Section value, which can itself inherit the Global QCLF default. Enabling a capability does not bypass the commercial plan gate or QCLF action permissions. A crafted request also cannot enable Watch Party or Broadcast above the current tier.
Content Policy and Moderators
Category content-policy overrides can inherit Section policy or override filtering, filter action, added prohibited words/exceptions, posting delay, link/mention limits, guest posting, and guest approval. Added word lists are additive.
Category Moderator User Groups are optional. Members of those Joomla groups receive moderator identity in this Category; Global Moderator groups from Settings still apply. Joomla group inheritance participates in that assignment.
Joomla Group Permissions
The Category ACL matrix can explicitly Allow or Deny QCLF actions by Joomla group. Untouched controls remain Inherit, meaning no Category-specific decision is stored for that action. Feature availability and permission are evaluated separately.
Publication and Ordering
The modal preserves the Category publication state while you edit. Use the Sections & Categories board to publish/unpublish or drag Categories into the desired order. Moving a Category to another Section through the editor or drag layout keeps the permanent Category record rather than recreating it.
Verify the Category
- Confirm the Category appears under the intended Section with the expected Joomla access and Sample state.
- Test frontend visibility with the real member Joomla group.
- Test one allowed and one denied action when you changed Category ACL.
- If you enabled Watch Party or Broadcast, confirm the current Effective tier also includes that feature.
- If the Category was moved, verify its existing Topics still open under the same Category record.
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.