Channels overview
Organize your community's communication with channels and channel groups.
What are channels?
A channel is a dedicated space where members communicate. Think of channels as rooms in a building: each room has a purpose, and members go to the right room for the right conversation.
Root supports three channel types:
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Text channel | Written conversations where members send and receive messages in real-time. Use for discussions, announcements, sharing files, and async communication. |
| Voice channel | Live audio and video conversations. Members join to talk, listen, and share their screens. |
| App channel | Interactive experiences powered by third-party apps. These channels display custom interfaces instead of messages. |
Every channel belongs to a channel group. You can't create a channel outside of a group.
What are channel groups?
A channel group is a container that organizes related channels under a shared heading. Groups appear as collapsible sections in the channel list, making it easier for members to find what they're looking for.
Channel groups also simplify permissions. When you set permissions on a group, channels inside can inherit those permissions automatically. This means you can control access to a whole section of your community in one place.
How channels and groups work together
When you create a community, Root creates a default channel group with a general text channel. From there, you build your structure by adding groups and channels that match your community's needs.
Here's how the pieces fit together:
- Channel groups define sections: Each group is a category like "Announcements," "Projects," or "Social."
- Channels live inside groups: Every channel must belong to exactly one group.
- Permissions flow downward: By default, channels inherit permissions from their parent group. You can override this for individual channels when needed.
- Members see only what they can access: Channels and groups that a member can't access are hidden from their view.
Planning your channel structure
Before creating channels, think about how your community will use them. A good structure helps members find conversations quickly and keeps discussions organized.
Start simple
New communities don't need many channels. Start with a few essentials:
- An announcements channel: For important updates from leaders (consider making it read-only for members)
- A general chat channel: For everyday conversation
- A voice channel: For live discussions when needed
You can always add more channels as your community grows and you understand what members need.
Group by purpose
Organize channels into groups that make sense for your community:
| Community type | Example groups |
|---|---|
| Gaming | General, Looking for Group, Game-specific, Voice Lobbies |
| Creative | Showcase, Feedback, Tutorials, Collaboration |
| Professional | Announcements, Projects, Teams, Off-topic |
| Learning | Course Materials, Study Groups, Q&A, Social |
Control visibility with permissions
Not every member needs access to every channel:
- Public channels: Visible to everyone. Good for general discussion and announcements.
- Role-based channels: Visible only to members with specific roles. Good for team discussions or premium content.
- Private channels: Visible only to specific members. Good for leadership discussions or sensitive topics.
Permissions are set at the channel group level and inherited by channels inside. See Channel permissions for details.
When to create new channels
Create a new channel when:
- A topic generates enough discussion to warrant its own space
- You need different permissions for a specific conversation
- A project or team needs a dedicated home
- Members are asking for a place to discuss something specific
Avoid creating channels "just in case." Empty channels clutter the interface and make your community feel inactive. It's better to add channels as needs emerge.
When to create new channel groups
Create a new channel group when:
- You have multiple related channels that belong together
- You want to apply the same permissions to several channels at once
- A section of your community needs visual separation in the channel list
Generally, if you're creating more than two or three channels for a single purpose, they probably deserve their own group.