> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lighton.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Understanding Workspaces Fundamental Concepts

> Learn what workspaces are in Paradigm and how they control document access.

## What is a workspace?

A workspace is an **organizational space** that :

* Allows documents to be organized by project, theme or period
* Contains a Collection of documents
* Can be linked to a Datasource in order to synchronize with it
* Can have Teams and/or individual users as members
* Only workspace members can access workspace content
* Only workspace members with a Document Manager role can upload or delete workspace documents

***

## Architecture

```jsx theme={null}
Users + Teams (members)
  ↓
Workspace (organize and control access)
  ↓
Collection (contains the documents)
  ↓
Documents (individual files)
  ↓ (optional)
Datasource (external synchronization)
```

## Workspace relationships

**Key relationships**:

1. **Workspace → Members**: A workspace can have as members :
   * Individual users
   * Complete teams
   * A combination of both
2. **Workspace → Collection**: Each workspace contains a Collection of documents.
3. **Workspace → Datasource** (optional): A workspace can be linked to a Datasource to automatically synchronize documents from external sources (SharePoint, Google Drive, etc.)

***

## Permissions and Roles

**Document access**:

* Only members of a workspace (direct users or via Teams) can access workspace content

**Actions on documents**:

* All members can consult documents.
* Only members with a **Document manager** role can upload or delete documents.

***

## Document access levels

Paradigm allows you to define the accessibility of each document at three levels:

### 1. Company Workspace

**Global access**

* Documents accessible by all company users
* Corresponds to **Company Team** (automatic)
* Use for: general documentation, policies, common resources

**Use cases**

* HR policies and internal procedures
* General technical documentation
* Templates and shared resources
* Official communications

**Security considerations**

Access is determined by whether a user belongs to the company.

⚠️ Enterprise-level access should be restricted to general information only. Sensitive documents should be stored on a dedicated custom workspace.

⚠️ It is possible to create several company spaces with custom workspaces associated with **Company Team.**

### 2. Organization level (Custom Workspace)

**Restricted access**

* Documents accessible only to workspace members
* Corresponds to **Custom Teams**
* Use for: specific projects, departments, teams

**Use cases**

* Project documents
* Departmental resources
* Cross-functional collaboration
* Specialized technical documentation

**Access control**

⚠️ Access is determined by the user's membership or membership of a member team.

### 3. Private Workspace

**Private access**

* Documents accessible only by owner
* Corresponds to **Private Team** (automatic)
* Use for: drafts, personal notes, confidential documents

**Use cases**

* Drafts in progress
* Personal notes
* Experiments
* Individual confidential documents

**Access control**

⚠️ There is only one Private Workspace per person

## ⚠️L access is only possible for the user who owns the space

## Choosing the right level of access

### Decision matrix

| Criteria          | Company     | Organization      | Staff    |
| ----------------- | ----------- | ----------------- | -------- |
| **Audience**      | All         | Specific team     | Me alone |
| **Sensitivity**   | Low         | Medium to High    | Personal |
| **Collaboration** | Broad       | Targeted          | None     |
| **Lifespan**      | Long term   | Variable          | Variable |
| **Examples**      | HR policies | Project documents | Drafts   |

### Questions to ask

**Before choosing the level of access :**

1. **Who needs to see this document?**
   * Everyone → Company
   * A specific team → Workspace
   * Just me → Personal
2. **How sensitive is the document?**
   * Internal public information → Company
   * Project information → Workspace
   * Confidential information → Personal
3. **What is the document's life cycle?**
   * Permanent / Reference → Company
   * Project duration → Workspace
   * Temporary → Personal