Welcome to the Simple Machines Forum Online Documentation

Simple Machines aims to provide you with the best support our small all-volunteer team can provide. We have developed a 4-step process to help you find the answers you need.

Step 1: Search the documentation

Step 2: Check the FAQs

Step 3: Browse the Documentation

Step 4: Still can't find it? ask at the community forum

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I install SMF?	How do I install a theme?
Why does it say I removed my copyright?	How do I donate to SMF?
I accidentally lost my admin account! What can I do?	I think I have been hacked

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Documentation

Introduction To SMF -- what SMF is and what we are about.

SMF Terminology -- A glossary of SMF terms

====Installing and Upgrading====

• Introduction to installing
• Installing

• Requirements and recommendations
• Converting
• Change log

• Upgrading
• Patching

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Using SMF

=====As a regular user=====

• Getting Started
• Registering
• Posting
• Searching
• Notifications

• Profile
• Logging in
• Personal Messages
• Help

• Bulletin Board Code (BBC)
• Calendar
• Memberlist
• How to view unread posts and replies

=====As a moderator=====

• Deleting posts
• Splitting topics
• Moderation center

• Moving topics
• Warning

• Modifying posts
• Merging topics

=====As an administrator=====

Main

• Administration Center
• Support and Credits
• News and newsletters
• Package manager

Configuration

• Core Features
• Features and Options
• Security and Moderation
• Languages
• Server settings
• Current Theme
• Themes and Layout
• Modification Settings

Forum

• Boards
• Posts and Topics
• Calendar
• Search
• Smileys and Message Icons
• Attachments and Avatars

Members

• Members
• Membergroups
• Permissions
• Registration
• Ban List
• Paid subscriptions
• Search engines

Maintenance

• Forum Maintenance
• Scheduled Tasks
• Mail
• Reports
• Logs

Miscellaneous

• Security Tips
• Building Your Community
• Performance enhancements
• Modifications - A mod broke my forum what should I do

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====Developing SMF====

Learn to develop customizations for your SMF. Then visit the Customization Site to share them with others.

• Function database
• Global variables

• Coding Guidelines
• Category:Package SDK

• Category:Integrating SMF
• Category:Customization tips and tricks

Please help by contributing to this wiki.