User TSconfig is one of TYPO3's most powerful features for customizing the backend experience. By configuring these settings, you can streamline workflows, enhance security, and boost productivity for your editors and content managers. Here are the 10 most essential User TSConfig options that every TYPO3 administrator should master.
1. Enable Cache Clearing for Non-Admin Users
- Option: options.clearCache.pages
One of the most requested features by editors is the ability to clear page caches without admin privileges. This option enables the "Flush frontend caches" button in the toolbar for non-admin users.
# Enable page cache clearing for editors
options.clearCache.pages = 1
# For complete cache clearing (use with caution)
options.clearCache.all = 1Why it's essential: Editors often need to see their changes immediately without waiting for cache expiration or contacting administrators.
2. Streamline Backend Interface
- Option: options.hideModules
Clean up the backend by hiding modules that specific user groups don't need. This reduces clutter and prevents confusion.
# Hide file and help modules for content editors
options.hideModules = file, help
# Hide specific modules within groups
options.hideModules = web_info, web_ts, system_BelogLog
# Add more modules to existing list
options.hideModules := addToList(system_config)Real-world example: Hide the File module for content editors who only work with pre-uploaded media, or hide development modules like TypoScript Object Browser from content managers.
3. Control Page Access in Element Browsers
- Option: options.pageTree.altElementBrowserMountPoints
Define which pages users can access when selecting pages in the element browser, regardless of their regular DB mounts.
# Allow access to specific pages in element browser
options.pageTree.altElementBrowserMountPoints = 15, 47, 123
# Append to existing mount points instead of replacing
options.pageTree.altElementBrowserMountPoints = 15, 47
options.pageTree.altElementBrowserMountPoints.append = 1Use case: Allow editors to link to company contact pages or legal pages that are outside their normal editing area.
4. Control File and Folder Access
- Option: options.folderTree.altElementBrowserMountPoints
Similar to page mounts, but for files and folders. Control which file areas users can access in file browsers.
# Grant access to specific folders
options.folderTree.altElementBrowserMountPoints = fileadmin/shared/, 2:/templates
# Multiple storage access
options.folderTree.altElementBrowserMountPoints = 1:/user_uploads, 2:/shared_resources5. Boost Content Creation Efficiency
- Option: options.saveDocNew
Enable the "Save and create new" button, allowing editors to quickly create multiple similar records.
# Enable globally
options.saveDocNew = 1
# Enable for specific tables only
options.saveDocNew = 0
options.saveDocNew.tt_content = 1
options.saveDocNew.pages = topValue: Perfect for news sites, blogs, or any scenario where editors create multiple similar content elements. The top value creates new records at the top of the page instead of after the current record.
6. Enable Content Preview Workflow
- Option: options.saveDocView
Add a "Save and view" button that saves the record and immediately shows the frontend preview.
# Enable save and view globally
options.saveDocView = 1
# Enable only for content elements
options.saveDocView = 0
options.saveDocView.tt_content = 1Workflow benefit: Editors can instantly see how their changes look on the frontend without manual navigation.
7. Organize File Uploads
- Option: options.defaultUploadFolder
Set a default upload folder for users, keeping files organized and preventing uploads to the root directory.
# Set default upload folder (storage_uid:folder_path)
options.defaultUploadFolder = 1:user_uploads/marketing/
# Different folders for different user groups
options.defaultUploadFolder = 2:departments/hr/Organization benefit: Automatically sorts uploads by department, project, or user group, maintaining a clean file structure.
8. Customize Bookmark Organization
- Option: options.bookmarkGroups
Configure bookmark groups to match your organization's workflow and improve navigation efficiency.
# Customize bookmark groups
bookmarkGroups {
1 = 1 # Keep default "Pages" group
2 = Content Elements # Rename "Records" group
3 = 0 # Disable "Files" group
4 = Quick Links # Rename "Tools" group
5 = Templates # Rename "Miscellaneous" group
}9. Enhance File Management
- Option: options.file_list.primaryActions
Customize which file actions appear as primary buttons versus hidden in the "..." menu.
# Add commonly used actions as primary buttons
options.file_list.primaryActions = view,metadata,delete,copy,cut,replace
# Show only essential actions
options.file_list.primaryActions = view,edit,deleteDefault actions: view,metadata,translations,delete
Efficiency gain: Reduces clicks by making frequently used actions immediately accessible.
10. Control User Experience Alerts
- Option: options.alertPopups
Configure which JavaScript popup alerts users see, reducing interruptions while maintaining important warnings.
# Show only critical alerts (delete confirmations)
options.alertPopups = 4
# Show all alerts (default)
options.alertPopups = 255
# Custom combination (copy/move/paste + delete)
options.alertPopups = 6Alert types:
- 1 = onTypeChange
- 2 = copy/move/paste
- 4 = delete
- 8 = Frontend editing
- 128 = other
Implementation Best Practices
Global Configuration
- Place common settings in Configuration/user.tsconfig:
# Global settings for all users
options.clearCache.pages = 1
options.saveDocNew = 1
options.saveDocView = 1
options.alertPopups = 6User Group Specific Settings
Configure in Backend User Groups for role-based customization:
# For content editors
options.hideModules = file, help, system
options.defaultUploadFolder = 1:content/
# For marketing team
options.folderTree.altElementBrowserMountPoints = 1:/marketing, 1:/shared
options.bookmarkGroups.2 = Marketing AssetsIndividual User Overrides
Fine-tune settings in individual user records when needed:
# Override for specific power users
options.hideModules =
options.clearCache.all = 1Quick Reference
| Option | Purpose | Common Values |
| clearCache.pages | Cache clearing | 1 |
| hideModules | Hide backend modules | file, help |
| pageTree.altElementBrowserMountPoints | Page access | 15, 47, 123 |
| folderTree.altElementBrowserMountPoints | File access | 1:/shared, 2:/assets |
| saveDocNew | Save and create new | 1 or top |
| saveDocView | Save and view | 1 |
| defaultUploadFolder | Upload organization | 1:uploads/ |
| bookmarkGroups | Bookmark organization | Array configuration |
| file_list.primaryActions | File actions | view,metadata,delete,copy |
| alertPopups | Alert control | 4 (delete only) |
Conclusion
These 10 User TSConfig options form the foundation of a well-configured TYPO3 backend. They address the most common administrator needs: security (cache clearing), productivity (save workflows), organization (file management), and user experience (interface customization).
Start with enabling cache clearing and save workflows for immediate productivity gains, then gradually implement interface customization and access controls based on your specific organizational needs. Remember that User TSConfig can be applied globally, per user group, or per individual user, giving you maximum flexibility in your TYPO3 login backend configuration.
The key to successful User TSConfig implementation is understanding your users' daily workflows and configuring these options to support and enhance their productivity while maintaining security and organization standards.
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