---
title: How to Use the Capabilities Screen
description: "This guide will show you how to use the \"Capabilities\" screen in the [PublishPress Capabilities](https://publishpress.com/links/capabilities) plugin. This screen allows you to change the permissions for any WordPress user role. - To start changing permissions, go to \"Capabilities\", then \"Capabilities\" in…"
url: "https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/capabilities-screen/"
updated: "2023-05-03"
category: PublishPress Capabilities / Capabilities
---

# How to Use the Capabilities Screen

This guide will show you how to use the "Capabilities" screen in the [PublishPress Capabilities](https://publishpress.com/links/capabilities) plugin. This screen allows you to change the permissions for any WordPress user role.

- To start changing permissions, go to "Capabilities", then "Capabilities" in your WordPress admin menu.
- Look in the top-left corner for the user role you want to edit:

![Capabilities screen user dropdown](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/capabilities-user-role-dropdown-1024x237.png)

- Look in the center of the screen. Here you can either check or uncheck the box for all the permissions on your WordPress site.

![Checkboxes area on Capabilities screen](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/administrator-capabilities-1024x708.png)

You can either enter a checkmark, leave the box blank, or you can click the red "X" to deny these permissions. Here is the difference between those options.

- **Checkmark**: This user role does have this capability.
- **Empty box**: This user role does not have this capability. However, users in this role can be given this capability if they are added to a second role.
- **Red X**: This user roles does not have this capability, and anyone in this roe can not be given the capability, even if they are added to second role.

![Checkboxes on Capabilities screen](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/detail-on-capabilities-1024x305.png)

[PublishPress Capabilities](https://publishpress.com/links/capabilities) won't save your permissions automatically. Click the "Save Changes" button to make sure your changes are applied.