# Open, pause, and close a program

> Programs · Owner, Admin, Manager · Program → Settings → Program status · Closing is permanent · Canonical page: https://kindlinghq.com/docs/program-lifecycle/

A program has a status and an applications value, and the two are controlled separately. Pause stops everything new while keeping the page up. Closing applications stops new advocates while existing ones keep posting. Closing the program is permanent. None of them touch money already owed or reviews already pending.

## Before you start

- **Role.** Every control on this page needs the Owner, Admin, or Manager role. A Viewer gets "You do not have permission to do this".
- **Where.** Open the program, click **Settings**, and use the **Program status** section at the top.
- **What you see.** A status pill with a line of copy, then the applications value with its own line, then the buttons that apply to the current state.

## The two values

| Status | Copy on the settings page | Public page | Apply URL | New applications | New submissions |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Draft | Not yet visible to advocates | Not found | Not found | No | No |
| Active | Program is live and accepting submissions | Live | Form, while applications are open | While applications are open | Yes |
| Paused | Program is paused, no new submissions accepted | Live, with "Not currently accepting applications" | "Not currently accepting applications" card | No | No |
| Closed | Program is closed permanently | Not found | Not found | No | No |

The applications value is **Open** or **Closed**, shown as "New advocates can apply to join" or "Applications are closed". It matters only while the program is Active; Paused and Closed refuse applications regardless.

## Go live

A draft goes live only through the wizard: **Edit & activate** on the program page, or **Continue editing** on the programs list, then **Save & activate** at the Review step. That sets the program Active with applications open. The settings page shows neither Pause nor Resume for a draft, but it does offer Close program permanently, so a draft can be retired without ever going live.

## Pause

**Pause** appears while the program is Active. It changes the status only; the applications value stays as it was.

While paused:

- The public page still renders, with "Not currently accepting applications" in place of the Apply button and "Applications Closed" at the bottom.
- The apply URL shows a "Not currently accepting applications" card before anyone is asked to sign up. Invite codes land on the same card.
- The application API refuses new applicants with "This program is not accepting applications", invite code or not.
- Advocates cannot submit posts. The program disappears from their post-submission picker, and a direct attempt is refused with "This program is not currently accepting submissions". Their own dashboard does not show the program as paused, so tell them.
- Pending applications and pending submissions stay in your queues and can still be reviewed.
- Approved earnings still go out on the scheduled run.

**Resume** appears while the program is Paused and sets it back to Active. Applications return to whatever value they had before the pause. Saving the program from the edit wizard does not resume it; the wizard leaves the status alone for any live program.

## Close or open applications

**Close applications** and **Open applications** toggle the applications value on an Active program. The button is disabled once the program is Closed.

With applications closed on an Active program:

- The public page shows "Not currently accepting applications" and "Applications Closed".
- The apply URL shows the not-accepting card, and the API refuses new applicants. A program-specific invite code does not bypass this.
- Advocates already approved keep submitting posts. Only new applicants are stopped.

Use it when the roster is the size you want. Pause is for when you want the posting to stop too.

## Close permanently

**Close program permanently** is the last control in the section. The dialog reads "This will permanently close your program. Existing advocates will no longer be able to submit content. This action cannot be undone." Confirming sets the status to Closed and forces applications closed.

Once closed:

- The public page and the apply URL return not found.
- There is no Resume, the applications toggle is disabled, and the Close button is gone.
- New submissions are refused and the program leaves advocates' picker.
- Pending applications and submissions remain reviewable, and approved earnings still pay on the scheduled run.
- The programs list shows a Closed pill.

Closing is the only way to retire a program from the dashboard. There is no delete control.

## Troubleshooting

| Situation | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| Pause or Resume does nothing | You need the Owner, Admin, or Manager role. A Viewer's click is refused |
| I paused but advocates say they can still see the program page | Expected. The page stays up while paused; the Apply button and submissions are what stop |
| I closed applications but someone still applied | Check the timestamp. Nothing applies after the toggle; the API refuses, invite codes included |
| I want to reopen a closed program | Not possible. Create a new program |
| I closed the program by mistake | Pending reviews and approved earnings are unaffected. Create a new program for future posts |

## FAQ

### Does pausing stop payouts?

No. Anything already approved pays on the next run. Only new applications and new posts stop.

### Can I pause and still let people apply?

No. Paused refuses applications whatever the applications value says. Use Close applications on an Active program for the reverse: no new advocates, posting continues.

### Do advocates get told when I pause?

Not by Kindling. Their dashboard shows their enrollment status, not the program status. Tell them.

Questions about a program's status: support@kindlinghq.com.