Studio

UNA consists of two main components - the website front-end and Studio. Unlike traditional content management systems, UNA does not have a conventional "admin panel." Instead, UNA implements a clear separation of responsibilities:

  • Content management is handled through the website by appointed admins and moderators
  • Website management is performed via Studio by the main webmaster or operator

This separation is a unique and powerful attribute of UNA's architecture. It allows webmasters to control access permissions of admins and moderators, giving them only necessary tools without risking potential site disruptions. Meanwhile, admins and moderators can focus on content management within a familiar user interface. This approach enables any trusted member to be appointed as an admin or moderator with greater peace of mind than with conventional web platforms.

Webmasters who want to manage both website structure and content can easily switch between Studio and the website front-end.

Accessing Studio

Studio is accessible to site operators and administrators with appropriate permissions. The interface is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, providing a comprehensive set of tools for managing all aspects of your UNA-powered community.

Launcher

Launcher serves as the Studio "homepage" and central navigation hub. All installed Apps can be accessed, arranged, and activated via Launcher. Every module, template, language, or tool in UNA is considered an "App," each with its own icon and settings page.

All installed Apps, whether active or not, appear in Launcher. Some Apps are designated as "system apps" and cannot be deactivated as they provide core functionality.

Organizing Apps in Launcher

Reordering and Favorites

Studio offers two ways to arrange app icons for efficient access:

  1. Reordering Mode (crossed arrows - "manage" icon)

    • When triggered, app icons can be dragged and dropped to desired locations
    • Other icons automatically relocate to accommodate the change
    • Click the Manage icon again to exit reorder mode

  2. Favorites Mode (star - "favourites" icon)

    • Select favorite apps by accessing their main management page and toggling the "Favourite" switch in the settings menu
    • Click the "Star" icon in Launcher to show only favorite apps
    • Click it again to display all apps
    • This creates a personalized selection of frequently used tools

App Management

Activating and Deactivating

Most apps can be temporarily deactivated, which is useful for:

  • Temporarily turning off certain functions
  • Testing new configurations
  • Restoring modules to their default state if something is broken

Apps that can be deactivated have an "Active" switch in their settings menu. When deactivated:

  • Apps appear greyed-out in Launcher
  • Their functionality is hidden from the site
  • App management functionality disappears
  • Options to Activate and Favorite remain accessible
  • Module settings, menus, and blocks are reset to default values during deactivation/activation

Uninstalling

All non-system Apps may be uninstalled, but caution is required as all app data is lost after uninstallation. For example, uninstalling the Posts App would delete all posts written by site members.

To uninstall an app:

  1. Click the "Manage" icon in Launcher to trigger reorder mode
  2. Locate the inactive app you wish to remove
  3. Click the "uninstall" icon (cross) next to it
  4. Confirm the uninstallation

Since only inactive Apps can be uninstalled, UNA provides a three-stage protection from accidental data loss:

  1. The app must first be deactivated
  2. Reorder mode must be activated
  3. Confirmation is required after clicking the uninstall icon

Installing and Updating

Downloading and installing new apps is done through the "Apps" app, which connects directly to the UNA.io Market. This same interface is used for updating existing apps to their latest versions.

Core Studio Components

UNA Studio includes several core components that provide comprehensive control over your community platform:

App Store

The central hub where site operators can purchase new apps from UNA CMS and install them on their site. The App Store also manages updates for currently installed apps. Learn more about App Store

Audit

Logs all moderation and administrative actions taken by moderators and admins. This allows top-level admins with operator access to review actions such as post approvals or member management decisions, providing accountability and oversight. Learn more about Audit

Dashboard

Provides a quick overview of your site status, allowing you to manage system updates and clear cache. The Dashboard gives site operators immediate insight into site issues and updates. Learn more about Dashboard

Designer

Manages site logos, icons, default templates, cover images, splash pages, and custom CSS styles. The Designer app is the resource center for managing all your site's default visual elements. Learn more about Designer

Forms

Manages, edits, and customizes all the forms and form fields for your UNA site. You can add and remove fields for each form, modify visibility of each form and field based on user level, and customize form layouts. Learn more about Forms

Customizes and manages navigation menus, items, and sets. You can add menus, change icons, manage visibility settings based on user levels and devices for each menu and menu item. Learn more about Navigation

Pages

Adds, edits, and customizes pages, manages content, and controls visibility settings based on user level and device. This module handles all aspects of page management, including page visibility and layouts. Learn more about Pages

Permissions

Controls user levels, visibility, actions, and access throughout your UNA website. Permissions is a core part of UNA's security system, determining what each user can do and what they can see within your community. Learn more about Permissions

Polyglot

Edits all text throughout your site in multiple languages. This language center enables you to translate your UNA site, including site emails and all text/keys in multiple languages. Learn more about Polyglot

Roles

Assigns and manages operator permissions to control access within UNA Studio. This allows the main administrator to create distinct roles for team members and grant them access to specific Studio functions. Learn more about Roles

Settings

Provides centralized access to settings for each installed UNA Module. While settings can be accessed from within each module, the Settings app brings them all together in one place for easier management. Learn more about Settings

Storage

Offers direct access to stored user files and images. You can search for files, download them, and resize images directly from the Studio interface. Learn more about Storage

Advanced Features

Multi-language Support

UNA Studio provides comprehensive tools for creating multilingual communities through the Polyglot module, allowing you to translate all aspects of your site.

Theme Customization

Beyond the Designer app, UNA Studio offers deep customization options for your community's appearance through templates and CSS modifications.

API Integration

UNA Studio includes tools for integrating with external services and applications through its robust API system.

Security Management

Comprehensive security features include permissions management, audit logging, and role-based access control to protect your community.

Best Practices for Using Studio

  1. Regular Backups: Always back up your site before making significant changes in Studio
  2. Test in Staging: When possible, test new apps or major configuration changes in a staging environment first
  3. Incremental Changes: Make changes incrementally rather than all at once to easily identify any issues
  4. Documentation: Keep records of custom configurations and changes made in Studio
  5. Permission Management: Carefully assign Studio access permissions to team members
  6. Cache Management: Regularly clear cache after making changes to ensure they take effect
  7. Updates: Keep all apps updated to their latest versions for security and functionality

Conclusion

UNA Studio provides a powerful, flexible interface for managing all aspects of your UNA-powered community. The clear separation between content management and website management creates a more secure, focused experience for both administrators and content moderators. By leveraging Studio's comprehensive tools, you can create a highly customized community platform tailored to your specific needs.

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