> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.uichemy.com/llms.txt).
> Use it to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Role Manager Overview

Control which WordPress user roles can use UiChemy and its features. Administrators always have full access. Requires Pro.


The Role Manager controls which WordPress user roles can access UiChemy and what they can do inside it. Administrators always have full access. Every other role can be set to **Full Access** (the full editor and every feature), **Custom** (the full editor, with only the features and editing modes you pick), **Content Only** (text and images, no code, no AI), or **No Access** (UiChemy is hidden for that role entirely).

<Callout kind="info">
Role Manager requires **UiChemy Pro**. See [Free vs Pro](/uichemy-composer/getting-started/free-vs-pro).
</Callout>

### Without Pro

On the free plan there's nothing to configure here. **UiChemy → Role Manager** shows a **Role Manager Pro** screen instead: "Decide exactly which roles can use UiChemy, and which parts they can reach." Under **What you'll unlock**, it lists:

| | What it gives you |
|---|---|
| **Per-role access** | No access, content-only, or full editing. |
| **Toggle per role** | Theme Builder, Design System and AI Chat. |
| **Safe client mode** | Keep clients in content-only editing. |

To get Role Manager:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Upgrade to Pro" icon="crown">
    On the **Role Manager Pro** screen, click **Upgrade to Pro**. You're taken to the [UiChemy Pricing](https://uichemy.com/pricing/?utm_source=dashboard&utm_content=role_manager) page.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Choose a plan" icon="credit-card">
    Pick the plan that fits your needs and complete your purchase. Once Pro is active on your site, Role Manager is unlocked.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Want to see what else comes with Pro first? Click **See everything in Pro** next to the button.

Role Manager and White Label both carry a crown icon in the sidebar while you're on the free plan, marking them as Pro features. Everything described below applies once Pro is active.

### What Is the Role Manager

Once Pro is active, go to **UiChemy → Role Manager** in your WordPress dashboard. The page opens with "Control which user roles can use the UiChemy editor and its features." The four access levels are explained across the top:

| Level | What it means |
|---|---|
| **No Access** | Can't open the UiChemy editor. |
| **Content Only** | Edit text and images only. No design, code or globals. |
| **Custom** | Full editor, with only the feature surfaces you pick. |
| **Full Access** | Full editor and every feature surface. |

Below that, **User Roles** lists every WordPress user role on your site. Each row shows the role name with its current status and slug underneath (for example `Full Access · editor`), and the access buttons on the right: **No Access**, **Content Only**, **Custom**, and **Full Access**.

<Callout kind="tip">
**Administrator** appears at the top of the list with a locked **Full access** badge and the note "Always has full access". It's shown for reference only, an administrator's access can't be restricted.
</Callout>

<Callout kind="info">
**Subscriber** is the exception: it only offers **No Access**, since a subscriber has no editing capability to grant in the first place.
</Callout>

### Change a Role's Access

<Steps>
  <Step title="Pick the access level" icon="mouse-pointer-click">
    In the role's row, click the access button you want to give it. The status under the role name updates right away.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Save your changes" icon="save">
    The bar at the bottom switches from **"All changes saved."** to **"You have unsaved changes."** and the **Save changes** button becomes active. Click **Save changes** to apply the new permission, or **Discard** to undo it.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Callout kind="tip">
**Example:** The **Editor** role starts on **No Access**. Click **Content Only** in its row, and the status changes to `Content Only · editor`. Click **Save changes**, and editors can now edit text and images, with no design, code or globals.
</Callout>

### Why Use the Role Manager

Most WordPress sites have multiple types of users. The Role Manager lets you match each role's access to what they actually need to do, nothing more.

<ExpandableGroup>
  <Expandable title="Agency handing a site to a client" default-open="false">
    Your client needs to update text and images on their pages but shouldn't rebuild global templates or change site-wide CSS. Set them to Content only so they can edit existing Composer sections safely.
  </Expandable>
  <Expandable title="Freelancer with an Editor helping write content" default-open="false">
    Your Editor can handle page building but shouldn't touch the Theme Builder or global design settings. Give them **Custom** access with **AI Chat** on, and keep **Theme Builder** and **Design System** off.
  </Expandable>
  <Expandable title="WooCommerce store with a Shop Manager" default-open="false">
    The Shop Manager needs to manage products and pages but not the UiChemy editor. Depending on the site, set them to Full access for page editing or No access if they only work inside WooCommerce.
  </Expandable>
  <Expandable title="Subscribers and customers" default-open="false">
    Subscribers and Customers are front-end users, they visit the site but should never see the UiChemy editor. Leave them on No access.
  </Expandable>
</ExpandableGroup>

### Default Access by Role

Every role starts on **No Access** until you configure it, only **Administrator** starts with access (locked to Full access). This is true even for roles like Editor, Author, and Contributor that can normally publish content in WordPress, UiChemy access is opt-in per role, not inherited from WordPress capabilities.

| Role | Slug | Default access |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | `editor` | No access |
| Author | `author` | No access |
| Contributor | `contributor` | No access |
| Subscriber | `subscriber` | No access |

<Callout kind="info">
This table reflects a fresh install with no changes saved yet. Custom roles and WooCommerce roles (Shop Manager, Customer) also start on **No Access** until you set them.
</Callout>

<Callout kind="tip">
If a user has more than one WordPress role, their access is the most permissive of any role they hold.
</Callout>

### Frequently Asked Questions

<ExpandableGroup>
  <Expandable title="Can I restrict an Administrator's access?" default-open="false">
    No. Administrator is always locked to **Full access** and is shown in the list for reference only.
  </Expandable>

  <Expandable title="What if a user has two WordPress roles?" default-open="false">
    They get the most permissive access of any role they hold. For example, a user who is both an Author (Content only) and an Editor (Full access) gets Full access.
  </Expandable>

  <Expandable title="What's the difference between Custom and Full Access?" default-open="false">
    Both open the full editor. **Full Access** always includes Theme Builder, Design System, and AI Chat. **Custom** includes only the ones you turn on, and can also limit the role to Design or Developer mode. If a user holds both, Full Access wins. See [Setting User Permissions](/uichemy-plugin/role-manager/user-permissions).
  </Expandable>

  <Expandable title="Does Role Manager work on the free plan?" default-open="false">
    No. Role Manager requires **UiChemy Pro**. On Free, **UiChemy → Role Manager** shows an upgrade screen instead of the role list. Click **Upgrade to Pro** to go to the [UiChemy Pricing](https://uichemy.com/pricing/?utm_source=dashboard&utm_content=role_manager) page and choose a plan. Already have Pro? Turn it on from the **UiChemy Pro Plugin** card, see [Activate UiChemy Pro](/uichemy-plugin/activate-pro/activate-uichemy-pro).
  </Expandable>
</ExpandableGroup>

### Related

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="User Permissions" href="/uichemy-plugin/role-manager/user-permissions">
    See exactly what each access level lets a role do.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Design vs Developer Mode" href="/uichemy-composer/concepts/design-vs-developer-mode">
    Understand the editing modes a role's access controls in the first place.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Free vs Pro" href="/uichemy-composer/getting-started/free-vs-pro">
    See what else Pro unlocks beyond Role Manager.
  </Card>
</Columns>