Setup Access Control Studio

Get the newest Access Control Studio package from your vendor, Odoo Apps store, or project folder. Prefer a ZIP/folder that matches your Odoo version (this guide is for Odoo 18). After download, extract the ZIP if needed. You should see a folder named something like access_control_studio that contains files such as __manifest__.py. Keep only that module folder – not a nested “double folder” (avoid access_control_studio/access_control_studio/... mistakes when uploading).

Copy the access_control_studio folder into the place where your Odoo reads extra apps. Common locations are:

• The main addons directory, or
• A custom_addons (or similar) folder that is already listed in your Odoo configuration (addons_path).

If you use Odoo.sh, Docker, or a hosting panel, use that host’s file manager / deployment method to place the folder in the configured custom addons path. Ask your host or IT team if you are unsure where addons_path points. After copying, confirm the path looks like: .../custom_addons/access_control_studio/__manifest__.py.

Odoo loads add-on files when the service starts. After uploading files, restart Odoo (service restart, container restart, or Odoo.sh rebuild/restart – whichever your setup uses). Do not skip this step. If you do not restart, the new app often will not appear even after you update the app list. Wait until Odoo is fully back online, then open your database in the browser and log in as an administrator.

Log in to Odoo with a user who can open Settings.
Go to Settings. Scroll to the bottom of the Settings page and click Activate the developer mode (wording may be “Activate the developer mode” / Debug). You can also open a URL shaped like https://your-odoo-url/odoo?debug=1 on some setups.
When Developer Mode is on, you will see extra tools (often a small bug icon in the top bar). You need this so the next step – Update Apps List – is available.

Open the Apps menu (main app switcher → Apps).
Click the menu (⋮ or “Favorites/Action” area depending on your UI) and choose Update Apps List. Confirm when asked.
Odoo rescans the addons folders and registers Access Control Studio so you can find it by name. If Update Apps List is missing, Developer Mode is probably still off – go back to Step 4.

Still in Apps, remove the default “Apps” search filter if it hides newly uploaded modules (clear filters so you can see all modules).
In the search bar, type Access Control Studio (or access_control_studio).
Open the app card and click Activate / Install. Wait until installation finishes with no error.
If the app does not appear, re-check Steps 2–5 (folder location, restart, developer mode, update apps list).

If this Odoo database was created with demo data, Access Control Studio may automatically load sample / demo profiles after install. That is helpful for learning on a test database.
On a clean production database without demo data, you usually will not get those sample records – you create your own profiles instead. You may still see inactive starter templates (for ideas). Do not panic if the board looks mostly empty on a new live database.

Installing the app is not always enough for every login. Open Settings → Users & Companies → Users. Open your user (or the person who will manage access rules).
Find the access rights / application rights section and enable:

• Access Control Studio / Manager – to create and manage access profiles, or
• Access Control Studio / Administrator – full control (and ACS rules will not restrict this user).

Save the user. Repeat for any other colleagues who should configure the app. Ordinary sales or warehouse users do not need this permission – they only receive the limits you configure later.

Fully refresh the browser (or log out and log back in). Open the main Apps switcher (the grid / home icon).
You should now see Access Control Studio. Open it, then open Access Profiles. If you see the profiles board (cards or list), setup succeeded – you are ready to create your first profile.
If the menu is still missing, re-check Step 8 permissions, confirm you restarted after install, and try another browser refresh or a private/incognito window.

This is the product package. Always use a version built for your Odoo major version (18.0). Keep a backup copy of the ZIP you installed.

If the folder is outside Odoo’s addons_path, Odoo will never see the app. Custom_addons is preferred so your extra apps stay separate from standard Odoo apps.

File copy alone is not enough. Restarting is what makes new modules discoverable after upload.

Safe for administrators during install. You can leave it on while configuring ACS; turn it off later if you prefer a simpler Settings screen.

Without this, a freshly copied module often does not show in search. Run it once after every new module upload.

This creates the app’s menus, security groups, and data inside your database. Wait for success before moving on.

Useful for training. On production, expect an empty or template-only board and create real profiles for your teams.

Required for people who will design access rules. Without it, the facility menu may be hidden even after install.

Stronger role for system admins. Use carefully – this role is exempt from ACS restrictions.

Your proof that Steps 1–9 worked. If missing, permissions or refresh are the usual causes.

After setup, this is where daily work begins: create profiles, assign users/groups, and configure rules.