# Content Hub

> Learn how to choose and create a hub to distribute multiple projects to a group of users via a customized portal.

https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/content-management/content-hub/

**Distribute multiple projects within a single application using the content hub. Upon opening, your users access a customizable portal listing available projects by default. You can also create channels to segment content by audience, market, or use case.**

[Image: Content hub portal on an iPad: company header, search bar and a grid of seven projects, each with its icon]

## Why use a hub

A content hub is ideal if you need to:

- Centralize multiple applications (product catalogs, sales tools, training modules, internal resources)
- Segment access (by team, region, client, event) via channels
- Quickly update and distribute multiple projects from a central point
- Offer multi-platform access (Web/PWA, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux)

> **Info: Difference from a Simple App**
>
> The content hub is an application containing multiple projects. Upon opening, the user discovers a portal and chooses what to open. Channels can complement or restrict the display.

> **Info: Platforms**
>
> The hub is available on web/PWA, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux.

## Usage examples

- Sales enablement: portal with generic presentations as default projects + channels by country or product line.
- Training: portal with common modules + channels by path (onboarding, advanced, compliance).
- Internal communication: tools portal + channels for departments (HR, IT, Marketing).

## Prerequisites and limitations

- **Subscriptions**: choose a [Multi](https://docs.pandasuite.com/account/subscription/the-multi-plan/) (up to 5 projects), [Full](https://docs.pandasuite.com/account/subscription/the-full-plan/) (up to 12 projects), or [Ultra](https://docs.pandasuite.com/account/subscription/the-ultra-plan/) plan (up to 50 projects). More projects can be added by request to our sales team.
- **Structure**: we recommend at least one default project. With a single default project, it launches automatically when the hub opens, and the portal will not display.
- **Customization**: the portal lists the hub's projects. You can customize the logo, header colors, and project icons.
- **Offline desktop packages**: a standalone [EXE](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/standalone-exe-for-offline-installation/), [DMG](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/standalone-dmg-for-offline-installation/), or [Linux package](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/standalone-linux-package-for-offline-installation/) is available only when the portal has exactly one default project, and that project is the one embedded. Projects that are only in channels are not counted and still need the network.

> **Warning: Access and Privacy**
>
> Channels are accessible via activation links. They do not constitute a system
> for named authentication. Use them to segment and hide content, not for
> managing sensitive user rights.

## Step-by-step guide to creating your hub

1. Create the Hub App

- Go to your dashboard > **Apps**.
- Create an app and select your distribution plan.
- You can then add your projects and configure the interface.

2. Add Default Projects

- Add a first project by clicking on the **Add a project** button.
- Add more projects by clicking on **Manage project(s)**

[Image: App page in the dashboard: the Manage project(s) button, used to add default projects, is framed]

> **Info: Default Projects**
>
> These projects appear on the hub portal (visible to all hub users). If there
> is only one project, it will automatically launch when the hub opens. We
> recommend defining at least one: projects that are only in channels appear
> once a user has opened the channel's link.

3. Create [Channels](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/content-management/channel/) (Optional, for Segmentation)

- For specific audiences, create channels.
- Click the **Create Channel** button, name it, add its icon (1024×1024 px), and select the projects to include.
- Each channel has an access link. Only users with this link can unlock and see it in the hub interface.

4. Customize the Hub Portal

[Video: a hub portal on a tablet changes its look (logo, header color, project icons): trend!, hök, then Gradient]

- Go to your app's **Settings**, **Display** tab.
- Customize the logo and header colors, as well as each project's logo.
- You can also customize the hub icon (mobile and desktop).
- Also, customize the loading screen (icon + background color).
- In **Settings** ▸ **Display** ▸ **Appearance**, use **Primary color** and
  **Secondary color** to style the hub header and loader. For native iOS/Android
  builds, enable **Hide navigation menu** only when users should not switch
  between the portal and unlocked channels from the side menu.

[Image: Display tab of the app settings: the Colors & navigation block, with Primary color, Secondary color and Hide navigation menu, is framed]

[Image: Hub portal on a tablet, with arrows pointing to the header logo and to a project icon, both customizable]

5. Publish and Distribute

- **Web/PWA**: publish and share the portal or channel URLs.
- **iOS/Android/Windows**: generate your white-label builds
- [Distribute through PandaSuite Hub](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/hub/distribute-your-app-via-private-hub/) if you wish to avoid managing developer accounts.

## Best practices

- Structure before adding: list your audiences and content, define which projects are “default” and which go into channels.
- Naming and visuals: adopt consistent naming (titles, icons), making visual discovery and search easier.
- Limit default projects: display only the essentials on the portal; offload specifics to dedicated channels.
- Test links: validate each channel link on the target platforms (web, mobile, desktop).

## Limitations and points to consider

- Portal customization: interface limited to header, logos, and icons customization. The overall portal layout is not freely editable.
- Link-based access: a channel is invisible without its activation link. Plan a reliable distribution channel (email, MDM, intranet).
- Project capacity: Multi (5 projects), Full (12 projects), Ultra (50 projects). More on request.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Can I convert a simple app into a hub (and vice versa)?** Yes, you can convert at any time. Then check your default projects: we recommend keeping at least one.

**Can I exceed the number of projects included in my plan?** Yes, beyond the limits of the Multi, Full, and Ultra plans, it is possible on demand.

**Do channels require a user account?** No, they open via an activation link. For strong authentication needs, consider additional mechanisms.

## Useful Resources

- [Channels](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/content-management/channel/)
- [Distribute through PandaSuite Hub](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/mobile-publishing/hub/distribute-your-app-via-private-hub/)