Create and configure a directory instance

This guide shows you how to create a member directory, set who can see it, choose which fields appear, add filters, and get an embed code for your website.

Who can do this: Admins with the directory:configure-instance permission.

Before you start

You need at least one membership level set up before creating a Restricted directory.
The URL slug you choose for the directory cannot be changed after creation.

Steps

Create the directory

In the admin sidebar, select Directory.
If this is your first directory, select Use the default member roster to create a standard members-only directory with one click, then skip to Configure the Fields tab. Or select Create custom directory to set your own options.
If you already have directories, select + Add directory.
Enter a Directory name (for example, “Member Roster”).
Choose a Visibility setting:
- Public — anyone can browse without signing in.
- Members only — only signed-in members can view it.
- Restricted — only members with specific levels or tags can view it.
Enter a URL slug (for example, “roster”). This is the short name that appears in the directory’s web address. It cannot be changed later.
Select Save. You’ll land on the directory’s detail page.

Configure the Overview tab

On the Overview tab, review or change the visibility setting.
- If you choose Restricted, select the Allowed membership levels and Allowed tags that should have access. If you leave both empty, a warning appears — select Allow anyway only if you want an admin-only preview directory.
Set the Default sort order (for example, “Member name (A→Z)”).
Set Members per page (10, 25, or 50).
Select Save changes.

If you change from Public to Members only, a note appears about search-engine caching. Consider updating your website’s robots.txt file if you want search engines to stop indexing the old public pages.

Configure the Fields tab

Select the Fields tab.
For each field, check the boxes that apply:
- Show on card — the field appears on the member cards in the list view.
- Show on detail — the field appears on the member’s full profile page.
- Searchable — members can find others by searching this field.
- Facet-filterable — this field can be added as a filter in the Facets tab.
Drag the ⠿ handle on any field row to reorder how fields appear in the directory.
To use a different label for a field in the directory (without changing the field name elsewhere), select Edit label on that field’s row, enter your preferred label, and press Enter.
Select Save changes.

Facets are the filter options that members see on the left side of the directory (desktop) or in the Filters panel (mobile).

Select the Facets tab.
If the tab is empty with the message “No eligible fields — mark fields facet-eligible in the Fields tab,” go back to the Fields tab and check Facet-filterable for at least one field.
Once eligible fields are listed, select the fields you want to appear as active filters.
Your facets save automatically when you add them.

Set up the embed code (optional)

Select the Embed tab.
Add any websites that will host the embedded directory to the Allowed origins list.
If your directory is members-only and you want the embedded version to require sign-in, enable the Members only toggle for the widget.
Copy the embed code snippet and add it to your website.

Verify

You’ll know the directory is ready when:

The directory appears in your Directories list with the correct visibility badge.
Selecting Preview directory on the instance detail page shows the member cards with your configured fields.

If something goes wrong

“This URL slug is already taken” — choose a different slug. Each directory needs a unique slug.
“Restricted with no allowed groups” — select at least one membership level or tag, or choose a different visibility option.
The Facets tab is empty — return to the Fields tab and check Facet-filterable for the fields you want to use as filters.