Lesson permission override

A lesson can carry its own permission rule, which replaces the course's rule for that lesson only.

Where

Lesson settings → Configuration → Lesson permission rule (optional override) — If selected, this rule overrides the course global permission rule for this lesson.

The selector lists the same rules as the course field: rules defined once in the theme's options.

Where it sits in the order

When a student opens a lesson:

1. The course's login requirement is checked first. A signed-out visitor is blocked regardless of any rule.
2. The lesson's own rule, if one is selected — this setting.
3. The course's rule, if the lesson has none.
4. The course's access, otherwise.

So the override replaces the course rule; it does not add to it. A lesson rule that is easier to satisfy than the course rule widens access to that lesson.

That is worth stating plainly: an override can open a lesson to people who cannot open the course.

When to use it

• A bonus module for a higher plan inside a course everyone on any plan can take.
• A section for advanced students, requiring a role the rest of the course does not.
• Content tied to a different product than the course itself.
• Staff-only material kept inside a student course.

When not to use it

• To gate a whole course. That belongs on the course.
• On many lessons at once. If half a course needs an override, the course's own rule is wrong, or it should be two courses.
• Together with a preview flag on the same lesson. Pick one; a lesson that is both an open preview and rule-controlled is confusing to reason about and to test.

It does not stack with the course rule

There is no "course rule and lesson rule". The lesson's rule replaces the course's for that lesson.

If a lesson genuinely needs both requirements, express both inside one rule in the theme's options and select that rule on the lesson.

Write the lesson's own message

An overridden lesson blocks students who can otherwise use the course — and the course's general no-access text will not explain why.

Fill in the lesson's own "Lesson not available" text with something specific:

This module is part of the Pro plan. Your current plan covers the rest of the course.

See Lesson no-access message.

The outline shows the difference

In the course outline, a lesson the student cannot open is shown as unavailable while the rest stay selectable. That is the correct experience: the student sees that extra material exists and that it is not included.

Make sure the message they get when they try explains the difference rather than reading like an error.

Test with three accounts

An override creates a third state, so test all of them:

1. A student who satisfies the course rule but not the lesson rule — the interesting case.
2. A student who satisfies both.
3. A student who satisfies neither.

Verify

1. Select the rule on the lesson and update.
2. Sign in as each of the three students above.
3. Confirm the outline shows the lesson correctly in each case.
4. Confirm the blocked student reads the lesson's own message.
5. Confirm the rest of the course is unaffected.
6. Confirm previews elsewhere in the course still behave as intended.