Understanding Roles

rolespermissionscapabilitiesaccess

Rippily uses a layered role system. Your permissions depend on your account type, your role within a Wave, and the capability level assigned to you in a Ripple.

Account Types

At the platform level, there are two account types:

  • Rippler — a full account with a dashboard, the ability to create Waves and Ripples, and access to all features
  • Guest — limited access for participants who join via a guest pass or temporary link. Guests can participate in Ripples but cannot create their own.

Wave Roles

Within a Wave (community), members have one of three roles:

Role What they can do
Account Holder Full control — owns the Wave, can delete it, manage everything
Administrator Operational management — members, settings, invitations, analytics
Member Standard access — join Ripples in the Wave

Capability Levels

Inside a Ripple, your permissions are determined by a capability level. From most to least access:

Editor

Full control over the Ripple. Can:

  • Moderate participants (mute, kick, manage speakers)
  • Edit the Ripple (scenes, elements, layout)
  • Control room state (lock, shuffle, switch scenes, manage breakouts)
  • Manage variables and timers
  • Toggle chat and attachment settings

Moderator

Can manage participants and control the live session, but not edit the Ripple design. Can:

  • Mute participants and disable cameras
  • Kick participants and manage the waiting room
  • Grant and revoke speaker access
  • Toggle speakers-only mode
  • Toggle chat and attachment settings
  • Control timers (start, pause, reset)
  • Switch scenes and apply snapshots
  • Lock and unlock the room
  • Shuffle seated participants
  • Manage breakout zones
  • Create and manage polls
  • Lower all raised hands
  • View zone occupancy and access organiser Drops
  • Broadcast audio and screen share

Authenticated

Standard participant permissions. Can:

  • Join the Ripple
  • Use microphone, camera, and screen share
  • Chat and use reactions

Guest

Minimal permissions. Can:

  • Join the Ripple
  • Chat (if chat is enabled)
  • Use microphone/camera only if explicitly enabled in the Ripple settings

How Levels Are Assigned

Your capability level starts from your Wave role and can be elevated in two ways:

  1. Wave role sets the default — account holders and administrators start as editors; members start as authenticated participants
  2. Promotions can raise your level — a Wave owner can promote a member to moderator or editor, either across the entire Wave or for a specific Ripple. The system always uses the highest level you qualify for
  3. Session grants add temporary capabilities — during a live session, a facilitator can grant specific permissions (like speaker access) that last until the session ends