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Restrict moving messages

Zulip lets you configure who can edit message topics and move topics between channels. These permissions can be granted to any combination of roles, groups, and individual users.

In addition to granting organization-wide permissions, you can configure permissions for each channel. For example, you could allow the "engineering" group to move messages just in the #engineering channel.

In general, allowing all organization members to edit message topics is highly recommended because:

  • It allows the community to keep conversations organized, even if some members are still learning how to use topics effectively.
  • It makes it possible to fix a typo in the topic of a message you just sent.

You can let users edit topics without a time limit, or prohibit topic editing on older messages to avoid potential abuse. The time limit will never apply to administrators and moderators.

Permissions for moving messages between channels can be configured separately.

Configure who can edit topics in any channel

This feature is only available to organization owners and administrators.

  • Instructions for all platforms

  1. Go to Organization permissions.

  2. Under Moving messages, configure Who can edit topics in any channel.

  3. Click Save changes.

Configure who can edit topics in a specific channel

  • Desktop/Web

  1. Click on the gear () icon in the upper right corner of the web or desktop app.

  2. Select Channel settings.

  3. Click All in the upper left.

  4. Select a channel.

  5. Select the General tab on the right.

  6. Click Advanced configuration to view advanced configuration options.

  7. Under Moderation permissions, configure Who can move messages inside this channel.

  8. Click Save changes.

Set a time limit for editing topics

The time limit you set will not apply to administrators and moderators.

  • Instructions for all platforms

  1. Go to Organization permissions.

  2. Under Moving messages, configure Time limit for editing topics.

  3. Click Save changes.

Configure who can move messages out of any channel

This feature is only available to organization owners and administrators.

  • Instructions for all platforms

  1. Go to Organization permissions.

  2. Under Moving messages, configure Who can move messages out of any channel.

  3. Click Save changes.

Configure who can move messages to another channel from a specific channel

  • Desktop/Web

  1. Click on the gear () icon in the upper right corner of the web or desktop app.

  2. Select Channel settings.

  3. Click All in the upper left.

  4. Select a channel.

  5. Select the General tab on the right.

  6. Click Advanced configuration to view advanced configuration options.

  7. Under Moderation permissions, configure Who can move messages out of this channel.

  8. Click Save changes.

Set a time limit for moving messages between channels

The time limit you set will not apply to administrators and moderators.

  • Instructions for all platforms

  1. Go to Organization permissions.

  2. Under Moving messages, configure Time limit for moving messages between channels.

  3. Click Save changes.

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