--- title: How to use the Directory plugin description: Create a searchable, configurable directory of users with profiles, badges, categories, and optional messaging or location features. --- [Skip to content](https://help.buildfire.com/how-to-use-the-directory-plugin#main-content) [![buildfire](https://help.buildfire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/bf-wordmark-black.png?width=150&height=35&name=bf-wordmark-black.png)](https://help.buildfire.com?hsLang=en-us) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Log In](https://app.buildfire.com/login) [Log In](https://app.buildfire.com/login) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Buildfire Help Docs](https://help.buildfire.com/?hsLang=en-us) 2. [Add Functionality To Your App](https://help.buildfire.com/add-functionality-to-your-app?hsLang=en-us) 3. [Plugins to show content & media](https://help.buildfire.com/add-functionality-to-your-app?hsLang=en-us#plugins-to-show-content-media) # How to use the Directory plugin ## Create a searchable, configurable directory of users with profiles, badges, categories, and optional messaging or location features. The directory plugin lets you display a list of app users in a structured, searchable directory. You control who is listed, what profile information is visible, and what actions users can take when viewing other profiles. This makes it useful for member directories, employee lists, communities, or any app where users need to discover and connect with one another. You can enhance the directory with badges based on tags, categories for filtering, profile visibility rules, messaging actions, and optional location features. All configuration happens inside the plugin tabs, and the experience adjusts automatically based on the settings you choose. --- ### **Requirements** - This is a Maximize plugin, available on the Growth and Business plans - User registration enabled in your app - Optional plugins depending on features used: - Inbox or Chat (for messaging) - Location Tracker (for live location sharing) --- ### **How to use the Directory plugin?** 1. Log in, go to **Builder** in the left navigation 2. Click the **+** button to open the Plugin Marketplace - Search for **Directory**, then click **Add Plugin** - Name your plugin and click **Add** 3. Stay in the **Content** tab - Configure badges to visually identify users 1. Add a badge icon and name 2. Select a tag and tag count that qualifies users for the badge 3. (Optional) Add an action item that appears when the badge is tapped - Configure categories to help users filter the directory 1. Enable or disable default categories (such as age) 2. Add new categories based on tags 3. Assign icons and labels for each category 4. Click the **Design** tab to choose how the directory is displayed - Select a list view or grid view depending on how prominently you want profile images shown 5. Click the **Settings** tab to control user behavior and access - Configure action items shown on user profiles (for example, message user via Inbox or Chat) - Choose whether users are auto-enlisted or prompted to join the directory - Limit feature access based on tags - Enable full profile access so users can view additional profile fields - Turn on badge-earned push notifications if desired - Choose how user subtitles appear (hidden, email, or phone number) - Set how users are sorted (name, badge count, join date, or tag count) - Enable optional directory features as needed 1. Personal directory to let users create private contact lists 2. Import contacts to invite or match users from a device’s address book 3. Location tracking (requires the Location Tracker plugin) 4. Map view to display users based on profile addresses 5. Category-based filtering in search results 6. Click the **Security** tab - Turn on **Require Login** to restrict access - (Optional) Apply tag-based restrictions 7. Click the **Tagging** tab - Add tags automatically to users when they visit the directory 8. Click the **Purchase** tab - Require a purchase or subscription before users can access the directory 9. Click the **Analytics** tab - Review views, users, and engagement data over time --- ### **Pro tips** - Use badges sparingly to highlight meaningful roles or achievements - Categories work best when tied to clearly defined tags - If you enable messaging, test the flow in the App Preview to confirm conversations open as expected - Location features require users to opt in and grant location permissions - [Buildfire Control Panel](https://help.buildfire.com/buildfire-control-panel?hsLang=en-us#main-content) - [Navigating the Control Panel](https://help.buildfire.com/buildfire-control-panel?hsLang=en-us#navigating-the-control-panel) - [Global Tools](https://help.buildfire.com/buildfire-control-panel?hsLang=en-us#global-tools) - [Terms & Policies](https://help.buildfire.com/buildfire-control-panel?hsLang=en-us#terms-policies) - [Build Your App](https://help.buildfire.com/build-your-app?hsLang=en-us#main-content) - [Global Settings](https://help.buildfire.com/build-your-app?hsLang=en-us#global-settings) - [Building Your App's Navigation](https://help.buildfire.com/build-your-app?hsLang=en-us#building-your-apps-navigation) - [Building Your Login Flow](https://help.buildfire.com/build-your-app?hsLang=en-us#building-your-login-flow) - [Building a PWA](https://help.buildfire.com/build-your-app?hsLang=en-us#building-a-pwa) - [Add Functionality To Your App](https://help.buildfire.com/add-functionality-to-your-app?hsLang=en-us#main-content) - [Plugins to drive engagement & community](https://help.buildfire.com/add-functionality-to-your-app?hsLang=en-us#plugins-to-drive-engagement-community) - [Plugins to drive monetization](https://help.buildfire.com/add-functionality-to-your-app?hsLang=en-us#plugins-to-drive-monetization) - [Plugins to run operations & workflows](https://help.buildfire.com/add-functionality-to-your-app?hsLang=en-us#plugins-to-run-operations-workflows) - [Plugins to show content & media](https://help.buildfire.com/add-functionality-to-your-app?hsLang=en-us#plugins-to-show-content-media) - [Make Money With Your App](https://help.buildfire.com/make-money-with-your-app?hsLang=en-us#main-content) - [Overview](https://help.buildfire.com/make-money-with-your-app?hsLang=en-us#overview) - [Apple/iOS](https://help.buildfire.com/make-money-with-your-app?hsLang=en-us#apple-ios) - [Google/Android](https://help.buildfire.com/make-money-with-your-app?hsLang=en-us#google-android) - [Publish Your App](https://help.buildfire.com/publish-your-app?hsLang=en-us#main-content) - [Overview](https://help.buildfire.com/publish-your-app?hsLang=en-us#overview) - [Apple/iOS](https://help.buildfire.com/publish-your-app?hsLang=en-us#apple-ios) - [Google/Android](https://help.buildfire.com/publish-your-app?hsLang=en-us#google-android) - [Manage Your App](https://help.buildfire.com/manage-your-app?hsLang=en-us#main-content) - [Managing Your App’s Users](https://help.buildfire.com/manage-your-app?hsLang=en-us#managing-your-apps-users) - [Push Notifications](https://help.buildfire.com/manage-your-app?hsLang=en-us#push-notifications) - [Analytics](https://help.buildfire.com/manage-your-app?hsLang=en-us#analytics) - [Connect External Partners](https://help.buildfire.com/connect-external-partners?hsLang=en-us#main-content) - [Google/Android](https://help.buildfire.com/connect-external-partners?hsLang=en-us#google-android) - [Apple/iOS](https://help.buildfire.com/connect-external-partners?hsLang=en-us#apple-ios) - [Zapier](https://help.buildfire.com/connect-external-partners?hsLang=en-us#zapier) - [Meta](https://help.buildfire.com/connect-external-partners?hsLang=en-us#meta) - [Segment](https://help.buildfire.com/connect-external-partners?hsLang=en-us#segment) [![Group 4578 (1)](https://help.buildfire.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%204578%20(1).png?width=140&height=33&name=Group%204578%20(1).png "Group 4578 (1)")](https://buildfire.com/) Copyright © 2026, Buildfire