Admin Panel and User Mode

Overview

Couchdrop has two main areas: User Mode and the Admin Panel.

They serve different purposes:

• User Mode is where users work with files, transfer workflows, and the services available to them.
• Admin Panel is where administrators configure and govern the Couchdrop account.

User Mode

User Mode is the day-to-day workspace in Couchdrop.

It is where users access the files, transfers, workflows, and services they have permission to use.

Depending on the user's permissions, User Mode can include:

• File Browser, Run Actions, and Tasks
• SFTP & FTPS Users
• Automations
• Mailboxes
• Webhooks
• AS2 Stations
• Shared Links and Request Files
• Integrations
• B2B Connect
• Marketplace

Not every user will see every option. What appears in User Mode depends on the permissions and features assigned to that user.

Who can access User Mode

All Couchdrop user types can potentially use User Mode:

• Owners can access User Mode and the Admin Panel.
• Administrators can access User Mode and the Admin Panel.
• Team Members can access User Mode only.
• External Users can access User Mode only when they have been granted Web Portal access.

Team Members are particularly useful when someone needs to work with operational features without access to account administration.

For example, a Team Member can create and manage External Users such as SFTP users, while remaining unable to access billing, security settings, or other administrative configuration.

Admin Panel

The Admin Panel is the account-wide management area in Couchdrop.

It is used to configure and govern the Couchdrop account, including areas such as:

• Users and groups
• Permissions
• Connections and integrations
• Security settings
• Reporting and activity
• Other account-level configuration

Use the Admin Panel when you need to make changes that affect the Couchdrop account rather than carry out day-to-day transfer work.

Who can access the Admin Panel

Only users with administrative roles can access the Admin Panel:

• Owner
• Administrator

Team Members cannot access the Admin Panel.

External Users cannot access the Admin Panel.

Switching between User Mode and Admin Panel

Owners and Administrators can switch between User Mode and the Admin Panel using the switch in the top-right of the navigation bar.

Users without administrative access only see User Mode.

User Mode vs. Admin Panel

Area	Purpose	Who can access it
User Mode	Work with files, transfers, workflows, and operational features	Owner, Administrator, Team Member, and External User with Web Portal access
Admin Panel	Configure and govern the Couchdrop account	Owner and Administrator only

A useful way to think about the distinction is:

User Mode is for operating Couchdrop. Admin Panel is for administering Couchdrop.