Bubble.io User Roles and Permissions: A Complete Implementation Guide
Role-based access control implemented correctly in Bubble: the Membership data model (not User), three enforcement layers (database, workflow, UI), and permission code for every common SaaS feature.
How to Build a Secure Permission System in Bubble
Every SaaS product needs a permission system. In Bubble, role-based access control requires a specific data model, privacy rules enforced server-side, and workflow conditions on every sensitive action. When done correctly, permissions cannot be circumvented. When done incorrectly, the UI restricts access but the underlying data remains available to any determined user.
Membership, Not User
The most common mistake in Bubble RBAC is storing the user’s role on the User data type. This is wrong because a user can be an Admin in workspace A and a Member in workspace B. The correct place is on a Membership data type that connects a User to a Workspace.
Owner
: highest permissions, cannot be removed
Admin
: manage team and settings
Member
: standard access
Viewer
: read-only access
// Membership data type
Membership
user
-> User
workspace
-> Workspace
role
-> Role (option set)
status
-> option set (Active/Invited/Removed)
Where Permissions Must Be Applied
Layer 1: Privacy Rules (Database)
Condition
: Search for Memberships [
user = Current User, workspace = This Record’s workspace,
role is in [Owner, Admin], status = Active
]:count > 0
Permissions
: Find ✓ View ✓ Edit ✓
Layer 2: Workflow Conditions (Actions)
Step 1 Only when
: Search for Memberships [
user = Current User, workspace = Project’s workspace,
role is in [Owner, Admin], status = Active
]:count > 0
// This prevents API-level bypass even if the UI button is hidden
Layer 3: UI Visibility (User Experience)
Visible when
: Search for Memberships [
user = Current User, workspace = current_workspace,
role is in [Owner, Admin], status = Active
]:count > 0
// UI visibility is UX only. Security lives in Layers 1 and 2.
Standard Setups for Common Features
| Feature | Who Can Access | Enforcement Layer |
|---|---|---|
| View all records in workspace | All active members | Privacy rule: active membership check |
| Create records | All active members | Workflow: active membership check on Step 1 |
| Edit any record | Admins + Owners | Privacy rule + workflow: role check |
| Delete records | Owner only | Privacy rule + workflow: Owner role check |
| Manage billing | Owner only | Privacy rule: Owner role only |
| Invite members | Admins + Owners | Workflow: Admin or Owner check |
Q: Should I use an Option Set or text for roles?
Always use an Option Set. Option Sets require zero database queries to read and prevent typos. Text-based roles require exact string matching and can contain inconsistencies.
Q: Can users change their own role?
Never. Role changes should only be possible for Admins and Owners, and a user cannot elevate themselves above their current role. Add a workflow check verifying the requesting user’s role is at or above the role being assigned.
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