focalboard/website/site/content/download/mattermost/_index.md

---
title: "Mattermost"
date: "2020-12-15T12:01:23-04:00"
section: "download"
weight: 2
---

Focalboard is installed with Mattermost v6 and later, where it's called Boards. You can [install Mattermost as a self-hosted server](https://mattermost.com/deploy/?utm_source=focalboard&utm_campaign=focalboard) or [sign up for Mattermost Cloud](https://customers.mattermost.com/cloud/signup?utm_source=focalboard&utm_campaign=focalboard).

## Mattermost Boards usage notes:

### Enable shared boards

The shared boards feature is disabled by default in Mattermost. To enable it:

1. Open the System Console.
2. Go to **Plugins** and select Mattermost Boards.
3. Set **Enable Publicly-Shared Boards** to **true**.
4. Choose **Save**.

### Permissions

Mattermost Boards currently uses channel-based permissions, meaning that only members of the associated channel can access (read/write) the boards for that channel.

You can use this to create private boards:

Create or join a Private channel, Group Message, or Direct Message. Then, select the Boards icon in the channel header to create a board. Only members of the Private channel, Group Message, or Direct Message can access the board.

You can use the [share board](/guide/user/#sharing-boards) feature to share a read-only board with anyone (incuding unauthenticated users) who has the generated link.

For more information about using Mattermost Boards, refer to the main [product documentation here](https://docs.mattermost.com/guides/boards.html?utm_source=focalboard&utm_campaign=focalboard).