> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.smaq.io/documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.smaq.io/documentation/projects/manage-project-members/member-roles-and-access.md).

# Member roles and access

SMAQ has five user-assignable roles. Each has a specific permission profile — pick the one that matches what someone actually needs to do.

Roles, in order of access (most → least):

1. **Owner**
2. **Editor**
3. **Member**
4. **Viewer**
5. **Chat User**

There's also a sixth internal role, **Demo Viewer**, used for SMAQ demo accounts (e.g. `demo@smaq.io`). It's not assignable through the invite UI and isn't intended for regular users — see [Demo Viewer (internal)](#demo-viewer-internal) at the bottom.

***

#### Role Details

**Owner (Full Access)**

The Owner has unrestricted access to all project features, settings, and billing information. This is the only role that can manage subscriptions and delete the project.

Key permissions:

* Manage billing and subscription plans.
* Delete the project.
* Manage all members, including assigning or removing other Owners.
* Edit all project settings.
* Full create, read, update, and delete access to all project resources (Data Sources, Dashboards, Automations, etc.).

**Editor (Full Content Access)**

The Editor has full control over all project resources *except* for billing, project deletion, and top-level member management. This role is ideal for team leads or primary contributors.

Key permissions:

* Create, read, update, and delete:
  * Data Sources
  * Data Blocks
  * Custom Metrics
  * Dashboards
  * Automations
* Manage project settings.
* Manage members with roles of Member, Viewer, and Chat User.
* Read and write to Chat.

Limitations:

* Cannot manage billing or subscription.
* Cannot delete the project.
* Cannot assign or remove the Owner or Editor roles.

**Member (Standard Access)**

The Member role is for team members who need to view project data and collaborate in chat, but should not edit core resources.

Key permissions:

* Read all project resources (Data Sources, Data Blocks, Dashboards, etc.).
* View project members and settings.
* Read and write to Chat.

Limitations:

* Cannot create, update, or delete any resources (except for chat messages).
* Cannot manage project settings or members.

**Viewer (Read-Only Access)**

The Viewer role is a limited, read-only role intended for stakeholders who only need to see project information and dashboards.

Key permissions:

* Read project information.
* View dashboards.

Limitations:

* Cannot modify any content.
* Cannot access or participate in Chat.
* Cannot view other resources like Data Sources or Automations.

**Chat User (Chat-Only Access)**

The Chat User role is a highly limited role focused exclusively on collaboration within the Chat feature.

Key permissions:

* Read and write to Chat.
* Read basic project information.

Limitations:

* Cannot access or view any other project resources like Dashboards, Data Blocks, or Automations.

| Resource               | Owner        | Editor       | Member       | Viewer    | Chat User    |
| ---------------------- | ------------ | ------------ | ------------ | --------- | ------------ |
| Billing & Subscription | Manage       | None         | None         | None      | None         |
| Project (Delete)       | Manage       | None         | None         | None      | None         |
| Project Settings       | Manage       | Manage       | Read-Only    | Read-Only | Read-Only    |
| Member Management      | Manage All   | Manage\*     | Read-Only    | Read-Only | Read-Only    |
| Data Sources           | Full Access  | Full Access  | Read-Only    | None      | None         |
| Data Blocks            | Full Access  | Full Access  | Read-Only    | None      | None         |
| Custom Metrics         | Full Access  | Full Access  | Read-Only    | None      | None         |
| Dashboards             | Full Access  | Full Access  | Read-Only    | Read-Only | None         |
| Automations            | Full Access  | Full Access  | Read-Only    | None      | None         |
| Chat                   | Read & Write | Read & Write | Read & Write | None      | Read & Write |

\* Editors can manage members at Member, Viewer, and Chat User levels — they cannot assign or remove Owners or other Editors.

***

### Demo Viewer (internal)

The **Demo Viewer** role is reserved for SMAQ's internal demo accounts (e.g. `demo@smaq.io`). It's similar to Viewer + Chat User combined, but with a hard lock on modifying project settings or any data. When a Demo Viewer attempts to save changes, they see:

> "This is a demo account. You cannot modify project settings in demo mode. Please create a real account to access and manage your project settings."

You won't see Demo Viewer in the invite role dropdown. It's listed here for completeness so you know what it is if you encounter it.

***

### Picking the right role

| For...                                             | Use...                                                                              |
| -------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| The person paying the bill                         | Owner                                                                               |
| Your marketing operator                            | Editor                                                                              |
| Internal stakeholders who need to look around      | Member                                                                              |
| External clients who only see results              | Viewer                                                                              |
| Stakeholders who only want to ask the AI questions | Chat User                                                                           |
| Sharing externally without an account              | [Public dashboard link](/documentation/features/dashboard/public-share-and-chat.md) |


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