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Joining & access

How you get into a space is up to the space. An admin picks one of a few modes:

  • Invite only — you need an invite link, or an admin adds you.
  • Application — you ask to join and an admin approves. Some spaces ask a question or two first.
  • Open — anyone can join right away from the space's public page.
  • Allowlist — you can join instantly if the email you sign in with is on the space's list; otherwise you'll be told it isn't.

Open and allowlist modes require the space to have a public profile. Paid membership works a little differently — it lives at the group level, through keys, rather than as a door on the space itself.

Admins can change the mode whenever they want.

Subscribing without joining​

A space with a public profile usually offers a subscribe form there too — it's on by default. That gets you the space's email broadcasts — not membership, and not any access inside the space. See Subscribers & broadcasts.

Members can share a personal invite link — copy it, share it, or show it as a QR code. A link can be capped to a number of uses and set to expire, and you can deactivate or regenerate yours at any time; the old link stops working immediately.

Two things admins control:

  • Who can invite. A space can allow all members to share invite links, or reserve them for admins.
  • Skipping the application. In an application space, admins can create an instant-join invite that lets its holders in without applying.

Applications​

Applying to a space means sending a short message and answering whatever questions the space asks (up to five). While it's pending you'll see a "membership pending" state, and you can cancel it if you change your mind. You can only have one application open per space at a time.

When an admin decides, you'll hear by email. If you're approved, you're in as a member. If you're declined, the email includes the reason if the admin gave one — and you can apply again later.

Leaving and getting removed​

You can leave a space anytime, and admins can remove or ban members. See Leaving for what happens then.