Roles & Permissions
What are the different user roles?
Users have individual role flags on their profile:
| Flag | Description |
|---|
is_buyer | Default for all users. Used for marketplace access (and future buyer features). |
is_seller | Opt-in flag for individual sellers (toggled in Profile). Used to unlock selling flows as they ship. |
is_admin | Internal/platform admin flag. Used for admin-only workflows (ex: reviewing verification requests and accessing restricted verification documents). |
How do I become a seller?
- Go to your Profile tab
- Toggle “I’m an individual seller” to ON
- Your profile will be marked as an individual seller (
is_seller=true). (Selling UI is still in progress.)
Individual seller vs. organization
| Aspect | Individual Seller | Organization |
|---|
| Who can sell | Just you | Multiple team members |
| Listings owned by | Your personal account | The organization |
| Fees | Planned | Planned (nonprofits intended to be free) |
| Verification | Email verification via Clerk (stored on profile) | Nonprofits can upload documentation for review (verification workflow exists) |
| Best for | Hobbyists, occasional sellers | Shelters, farms, professional breeders |
Can I be both an individual seller AND part of an organization?
Yes. You can:
- Sell animals under your personal account (as an individual seller)
- Also be a member of an organization and create listings on its behalf
When creating a listing, you’ll choose whether it’s a personal listing or an organization listing (ownership is enforced in the database).Last modified on February 11, 2026