Use QCLF Sample Sections and Categories Safely
QCLF includes optional sample Sections and Categories as onboarding examples. Sample structure is deliberately excluded from Basic/Pro real-structure quotas and is visibly marked Sample in the Administrator board.
A Sample Category is not a production discussion area: QCLF blocks real Topic creation until the administrator clears its Sample / demo flag.
What Sample Structure Is For
The canonical sample catalog contains two sample Sections with three sample Categories in each. It demonstrates the hierarchy and gives administrators safe rows to rename, move, or convert while learning the structure tools.
Sample rows are ordinary stored records with sample_data=1; the important difference is how quota and Topic creation treat that flag.
Sample Rows Do Not Consume Real Quota
| Tier | Structure behavior |
|---|---|
| Basic | 1 real Section / 3 real Categories, plus any sample rows |
| Pro | 2 real Sections / 6 real Categories, plus any sample rows |
| Max / All Access | Unlimited real structure; sample status still remains meaningful |
Convert a Sample Row into Real Structure
- Edit the sample Section or Category.
- Rename/configure it for the production forum as needed.
- Clear Sample / demo Section or Sample / demo Category.
- Save. QCLF checks the current real-structure quota before allowing a sample row to become real.
- Publish and test it with the intended frontend access group.
Restore Samples Without Overwriting Your Work
The restore-sample action creates only missing canonical sample aliases. If an administrator already has a row using one of those aliases—even if that row was converted to real content—QCLF preserves it rather than overwriting it or forcing it back to sample status.
Adding a new sample Category chooses an unused sample-category number in the selected Section.
Remove Samples Safely
A sample row follows the same permanent-deletion safety rules as any other Section or Category. A Section must be empty of Categories first. A Category must have no active Topics, restorable Topic drafts, or active scoped restrictions before permanent deletion proceeds.
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.