# Navigating Circle on desktop

https://help.circle.so/p/basics/getting-started/navigating-circle-on-desktop

Category: [Basics](https://help.circle.so/p/basics) › [Getting started](https://help.circle.so/p/basics/getting-started)

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_Last updated: September, 2026_

Welcome to Circle! Whether you’re just starting out or familiar with Circle, this article will guide you through navigating your community on a desktop browser.

> ℹ️  **Note:** This article focuses on the community view UI. To learn more about the Circle AI workspace please see [**Getting started with Circle AI**](https://help.circle.so/p/administration/circle-ai/getting-started-with-circle-ai) **.**

## Community layout

Circle’s desktop layout is intuitively designed to make navigation and interaction as seamless as possible. The interface is divided into three main areas:

- **Top navigation bar** : Located at the top of your screen, this is your primary control center. In the top-left corner, you’ll see your community’s branding, such as the name or logo. It provides access to community settings, account information, notifications, DMs, and threads. The navigation bar also includes a search button to help you quickly find content within your community. Plus, you'll find tabs to key areas like the home, courses, leaderboard, and more.  

- **Sidebar** : When you’re on the **Home** tab, this sidebar gives you easy access to the feed and all the spaces and groups within the community.   

- **Space/Directory navigation bar:**  These bars appear when you enter a specific space or directory, offering a focused set of options tailored to the area. For example, when in a post space, you will see options to create a new post, view members, filter content, or access space settings.  

## Home

The  **Home**  tab is your main community hub, easily accessible from the top navigation bar. When you’re on the  **Home**  tab, the left sidebar gives you access to three key areas: feed, spaces & space groups, and links.

### Feed

The Feed is a dynamic, personalized [**activity feed**](https://help.circle.so/p/basics/home) that keeps you up to date on posts and events in the spaces you’ve joined. It’s your go-to place for catching up on the latest happenings across your community.

### Space groups

Space groups help you organize your spaces based on the content type or interests. Each group has a directory page that shows all the spaces and members within that group.

To access the space group directory, hover over the space group in the sidebar, click the **More actions (three dots)** icon, and select **See spaces**.

 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/efj3tn43zt2maupkd3zp5826foqw)

To access the space group management options, click the **Space group settings (three dots)** icon in the top-right corner of the space group.

 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/j7h92wxrjl5jf13640uv5r7e1xbi)

### Spaces

Spaces are where the magic happens; there are six types of spaces available within your community where you can create and interact with content. Spaces are organized within space groups in the left sidebar. Each space’s visibility to members or visitors depends on the settings you've configured for each space or group.

To access a space, click its name from the sidebar. Once you’re in the space, the space navigation bar will display the space's name along with options relevant to that space, such as [**space links**](https://help.circle.so/p/basics/spaces/add-links-to-the-top-of-the-spaces), member count, and sorting options.



 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/hkkccie4nid7vlx6dh93raak4y65)

You can also access various space management options, such as customization, lock screen, and members, from the space navigation bar. To do so, click the **Space settings (three dots)** icon in the top-right corner of the space.



> ℹ️ **Note** : The settings menu navigation will be similar for all space types; however, the management options may vary depending on the space type.

 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/ymznt2y1jmam7wsf6hxq1lhp0hwe)

### Links

The [**Links**](https://help.circle.so/p/basics/spaces/add-links-to-the-sidebar?locale=en) section at the bottom of the sidebar displays custom links that provide quick access to essential resources and reference materials that are important to your community.

 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/zawxysnzncn0t63rahtf7aa93dos)

### Go live

With [**Circle live streams and live rooms**](https://help.circle.so/p/live-and-events), you can instantly connect with your members through live sessions or scheduled events.

To start a live session or schedule a live event, use the **Go live** option in the left sidebar. This feature allows you to engage with your community in real time, creating interactive and dynamic experiences.

## Directories

In the top navigation bar, you will find tabs for various directories. These directories are intended to help you stay engaged and informed within your community while also providing a full-screen browsing experience.

Let's explore the various directory tabs:

- **Courses** : The [**course directory**](https://help.circle.so/p/courses/course-setup/course-directory) is a centralized hub designed to showcase all your published courses in one convenient location. It allows members to easily browse and find courses that match their interests and needs.

- **Events** : The [**events directory**](https://help.circle.so/p/live-and-events/events/event-directory-overview) aggregates all upcoming events from various community spaces and presents them in your preferred view. It’s the perfect place to discover and keep track of the latest happenings in your community.

- **Members** : The [**member directory**](https://help.circle.so/p/audience/member-management/get-to-know-the-member-directory) is your gateway to connecting with others in the community. It allows you to search for individuals, explore profiles, and connect with members who share similar interests or backgrounds.

- **Leaderboard** : This tab displays a [**leaderboard**](https://help.circle.so/p/audience/member-management/view-leaderboard) that showcases the community's most active members. This leaderboard is part of the Gamification feature, which allows members to earn points for every like they receive and unlock levels.

## Search

Need to find something quickly? The [**search feature**](https://help.circle.so/p/basics/getting-started/searching-within-your-community) makes it easy to locate content, spaces, and members within your community. The search bar is conveniently located on the top navigation bar, so you can find what you’re looking for in just a few clicks.

 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/022p8ixh07rjjsknfw8jh31ud3iu)

## Notifications

Stay informed about the latest community activities and updates through [**notifications**](https://help.circle.so/p/audience/notifications). To view your in-app notifications, simply click the **Notifications** 🔔 icon on the top navigation bar.



 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/m16tqzem37bfyt58o3xds6yfxix2)

Whenever there are new notifications or activities in DMs or threads, you will see the icons for notifications, direct messages, and threads show a visual indication with numbered badges on the top navigation bar.

## Direct messages and threads

Keep in touch with community members using [**direct messages**](https://help.circle.so/p/chat/dm). You can initiate and access all your one-on-one and group conversations by clicking the **Direct messages** 💬 icon on the top navigation bar.



 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/e9tk4j7fgpzlwcqibo6b8uxsguri)

You can also view and manage all your [**threaded conversations**](https://help.circle.so/p/chat/chat-spaces/understanding-chat-threads) directly from the navigation bar.

 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/2n1f545frxewdnswvpo06ahh00ur)

## Connections

With [**Connect**](https://help.circle.so/p/audience/member-management/get-to-know-connect-beta) enabled on your community, you can easily manage your connection requests and view your connections from the Connect panel. To access the connect panel, click the **Connections** button on the top navigation bar.

 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/rvnlvg5bqwnzsnqem98w02z38c1q)

> ℹ️  **Note:** The Connections button is only visible when Connect is enabled in your community. To enable Connect, go to **Settings→Connect** and toggle **Enable connections** on.

## Bookmarks

With the [**bookmarks**](https://help.circle.so/p/basics/spaces/bookmarking-content-to-save-for-later) feature, you can easily save important or favorite content, like posts, comments, lessons, or direct messages (DMs), for quick access later. You can access your saved items by clicking the **Bookmarks** icon on the top navigation bar.

 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/pkmnl529qc8yhrl7hwk81gvladro)

## Comments and reactions

Leave comments to get involved in community discussions. Comments are available in posts, events, images, and course spaces, giving you the opportunity to contribute to conversations wherever they happen. To comment on a post, click the **Comment** icon.

 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/zmgzaab7udqntvmvk78vxwue7jod)

You can also show your appreciation for content by adding a reaction. To react to a post or comment, hover over the **Like** button and select a reaction.

- Regular posts

- Image posts

- Events

- Comments in post, image, and event spaces

When [**Gamification**](https://help.circle.so/p/audience/member-management/get-to-know-gamification) is enabled, every reaction you give earns the content author a point. These points help members level up and earn a spot on the leaderboard, encouraging active participation and recognition within the community.

## Member profiles

Member profiles give you a deeper insight into the community members. When you hover over a member’s name or avatar in various parts of the community, such as the feed, comments, DMs, chat spaces, and member spaces, a profile card will appear, giving you a snapshot of key details. This card includes the member’s headline, level, and a quick option to view their full profile.

 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/561gs33tmmgee4fcrvdentofmywu)

With Connect enabled in your community, users will also have the option to connect with others through the profile card.

When viewing a member's profile, you can explore more detailed information, such as their profile fields, posts, comments, the list of spaces they have access to, and rewards they’ve earned within the community. This offers a comprehensive view of a member's activity and contributions, helping you connect with like-minded individuals.

 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/fub555r3oxlm447kgwbsc585e5wb)

## Community switcher

The [**community switcher**](https://help.circle.so/p/basics/customization/get-to-know-the-community-switcher) lets you navigate between all of your Circle communities. If your community has this feature enabled, you’ll see a list of the communities associated with your email account in the panel on the far left of the screen.



If you belong to more than five communities, you can access the rest by clicking the **More actions (three dots)** icon in the panel.



> 💡  **Tip:** You can create a new Circle community under your email account by clicking the ➕ icon in the panel.

 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/cjd65ksvlpodr408tcg98s0btq11)

## Community settings

As a community admin, you can access various settings and features through the community settings menu, helping you manage and personalize your community.

To access the community settings menu, click your community name or logo, or the dropdown icon next to it, on the top navigation bar.

 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/q3dvveetqk97of07ob02d905cmug)

Here are some of the key areas you can control:

- **Circle AI:** Access Circle AI to help you build and manage your community

- **Inbox:** Access the Circle inbox to manage your DMs, threads, notifications and community moderation controls.

- **Admin Dashboard:** Navigate to the Admin dashboard.

- **Audience:** Access the audience management page, access groups, connections, invitation links, and profile field.

- **Marketing:** Access your forms and broadcasts.

- **Community:** Access your posts, spaces, live streams, media manager and topics.

- **Courses:** View your published and draft courses.

- **Workflows:** Create and manage workflows and, access your workflow history.

- **Agents:** Create and manage AI agents for your community.

- **Website:** Manage your web pages, navigation bar links and community code snippets.

- **Payments:** Manage your paywalls, coupon codes, subscription groups, affiliates and commissions.

- **Analytics:** Access your community analytics.

- **Settings:** Access your community settings.

- **Site builder:** Access website builder to create web pages in Circle.

- **Customize theme:** Customize your community theme.

## Account settings

Your member account is where you manage your personal settings and preferences, ensuring you get the most out of your community experience.

Click your profile photo in the top-right corner of the top navigation bar to access the following options for your community account:

- **View profile:** Quickly access your public profile page, where you can see your profile information, posts, comments, list of spaces you have access to, and any tags you've earned within the community.

- **Edit profile:** Customize your personal information, such as your bio, profile photo, language, time zone, profile fields, and social media links. Here, you can also manage your account-related permissions.

- **Notifications** : Manage which [**notifications**](https://help.circle.so/p/audience/notifications/manage-your-notification-preferences) you receive and what types. You can adjust settings for in-app alerts, emails, and push notifications to stay updated according to your preferences.

- **Authentication** : Keep your account secure by managing your email and password settings. You also have the option to deactivate your account if needed.

- **Billing** : This option appears for members when they have purchased a community paywall. The [**billing page**](https://help.circle.so/p/payments/member-billing) allows them to manage your subscriptions, payment methods, address, and view your transactions.

- **Affiliate** : Similar to billing, if the member is part of the [**affiliate program**](https://help.circle.so/p/payments/affiliates), they can access their affiliate dashboard using this option. Here, they can track their referrals, view their commission earnings, and find their unique promotional links to share.

- **Sign out** : Sign out of your community account.

 ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/kpf3vxdbpiqfqskiqkyreitail1i)