Access Control allows publishers to restrict content visibility based on user entitlements, login status, subscription plans, or metered access configurations. By using Access Levels, publishers can control which users can access specific stories and synchronize those permissions with their subscription platform.

Step 1: Enable Access Control Features

To start using Access Control in Bold CMS:

1. Log in to your Bold CMS instance.
2. Navigate to **Settings → Configure → Features**.
3. Enable the following features:
 Subscriptions
 Subscription Group
4. Save the configuration.

Once enabled, the **Access Control** section will become available under:
Settings → Configure → Access Control**

Step 2: Create Access Level Values

Access Levels act as identifiers that link stories, subscription plans, and access rules.

To create an Access Level:

1. Navigate to Settings → Configure → Access Control
2. Click Add Access Level
3. Enter the desired Access Level value (for example: 78).
4. Save the configuration.

You can create multiple Access Levels based on your subscription offerings and content access requirements.

Examples:

Step 3: Configure Access Types

Content access behavior is controlled through Meter Settings and Access Types.

Depending on your subscription setup, you can configure:

* Public Access
* Login Required
* Subscription Required
* Metered Access

These settings determine how users interact with content on the frontend.

Step 4: Assign Access Levels to Stories

After creating Access Levels, they can be assigned to individual stories.

To configure a story:

1. Open the story in the Story Editor.
2. Navigate to the **Manage** tab.
3. Click **Show Advanced Options**.
4. Locate the **Access Level** section.
5. Select the appropriate Access Type.

Available options include:

Public
The story is available to all users.
No Access Level configuration is required.

Login
Users must be logged in to access the content.

Subscription
Users require an active subscription entitlement.

When selecting Subscription:

1. Choose the appropriate Access Level value.
2. Save and publish the story.

The story will now be protected based on the assigned Access Level.

Step 5: Configure Meter Settings

Access Levels can also be used in conjunction with Meter Settings.

Within Meter Settings, publishers can define rules such as:

* Stories requiring login
* Stories requiring subscription
* Metered article limits
* Premium content restrictions
 

Once these rules are configured:

1. Assign the corresponding Access Level to the story.
2. Publish the story.

The Access Level acts as the bridge between the story and the configured access rules.

For example:
* Story Access Type = Subscription
* Access Level = 78
Users with entitlement to Access Level 78 will be granted access, while others will be restricted.
 

Step 6: Configure Access Levels in Subscription Plans

Access Levels must also be mapped to subscription plans so that subscribers receive the correct content entitlements.

To configure this:

1. Navigate to Subscription Management.
2. Create a new plan or edit an existing plan.
3. Select the entitlement Type as: Story Access Level
4. Select the corresponding Access Level value.

Example:

The selected Access Level should match the value created in Bold CMS.

Step 7: How Synchronization Works

The complete workflow is as follows:

In Bold CMS

1. Create Access Level 78.
2. Assign Access Level 78 to stories.
3. Publish the stories.

In Access type Platform

1. Create or edit a subscription plan.
2. Select Type = Story Access Level.
3. Map Access Level 78 to the plan.

 User Access Flow:

1. User purchases the subscription plan.
2. Subscription platform grants entitlement for Access Level 78.
3. When the user accesses a story tagged with Access Level 78:

• Access is granted if entitled.
• Access is restricted if not entitled.

This synchronization ensures that content permissions are enforced consistently across the platform.

Bulk Updating Access Control

To update multiple stories at once:

1. Navigate to the Story Dashboard.
2. Use the filters to filter stories
3. Choose Bulk Action

Select the required stories.

4. Select Action
5. Choose the desired Access Level.
6. Apply the changes

The selected configuration will be applied to all chosen stories.