Sutra gives you four roles - Manager, Editor, Moderator, and Member - so you can share the work of running your space without giving everyone full control. This article explains what each role can do and when to use it, so the right people get the right level of access.
Common Use Cases
Manager
Full administrative control (based on placement)
Co-leaders, co-facilitators, program coordinators, instructional designers
Editor
Content creation, editing and moderation of posts and comments
Content contributors, co-facilitators
Moderator
Member
Manager
Managers have the highest level of administrative access within a Sutra space. The scope of their permissions depends on where they are assigned:
1. Top-Level Space Managers
When you assign someone as a manager at the top-level (the main "container" space), they gain administrative access to all subspaces within it (including any nested child spaces under those subspaces). They can:
Manage settings for both top-level and all its subspaces
Use all features inside manage dashboard: set up automations, send broadcasts, etc
Manage members: invite, change roles, or remove them
Create, delete, or duplicate subspaces
Delete or duplicate the entire top-level space
View participation metrics (if included in your subscription plan)
When to use it: Top-level managers are ideal for large programs or communities where you want to share full control with collaborators. For example, if you’re co-running a multi-cohort program with group chats and live sessions, adding your co-facilitator as a manager gives them everything they need to help you run the space seamlessly.
Note: Co-managers do not have access to your Sutra subscription billing settings, which are linked to your personal account.
2. Subspace Managers
If you assign a manager role within a specific subspace, their permissions apply only to that subspace (and to any nested child spaces it may contain).
When to use it: Useful when you want someone to lead a specific cohort or breakout group within a larger program. They can manage everything within that space without affecting the rest of the community structure.
Plan limitations:
You can't add co-managers on Basic (free) and Bronze plans.
You can add up to 2 co-managers on Silver plan.
You can add unlimited co-managers on the Gold plan.
Editor
Editors can be assigned at either the top-level or subspace level.
Editors can:
Create and delete content (posts, resources, etc.)
Edit or delete posts and comments by any user
Access participation metrics (on Silver and Gold plans only)
When to use it: Perfect for content collaborators—like guest instructors or team members who help build the course materials but don’t need to manage members or settings. Editors are helpful in programs with a rolling content schedule, where multiple people contribute articles, reflection prompts, or event posts.
Moderator
Moderators also can be assigned at the top-level or within a specific subspace.
Moderators can:
When to use it: Ideal for managing active group chats or forums, especially in large communities. For example, you might assign peer mentors or alumni as moderators to keep conversations respectful and remove off-topic content. This role is common in cohort-based programs or member-led discussion groups.
Member
Members (or participants) are users who join your program or community space.
Members can:
This is a default role for anyone enrolled in your program or invited to your community. Members are here to learn, participate, and collaborate—whether through consuming content, joining live sessions, or participating in group chats.
What's next
Now that you understand the roles, you can assign them to the right people. Add co-managers, editors, or moderators to share responsibility for running your space, and invite members to bring participants in.