Phoenix Dashboard Editor

The Phoenix Dashboard is the first page pilots see when they log in. Customise it to show the information most relevant to your VA - from statistics and activities to custom images and quick action buttons.

Accessing the Dashboard Editor

In Orwell, go to Pages → Phoenix Dashboard. You need the View Pages permission.

Layout System

The dashboard uses a row-based layout. Each row contains width blocks, and each block contains components.

Width Blocks

Mix block types within a row - for example, one Third block and one Two Thirds block create an asymmetric layout.

Components

Each component has a width setting (25%, 33%, 50%, 66%, or 100%) controlling how much space it takes within its block. Leave at 100% unless combining multiple components in a single block.

Available Components

Content Components

Statistics Components

Activity Components

Flight Components

Social Component

Social Icons

Social icons link to your external communities (Discord, Facebook, Instagram, forums, etc.).

Configuring Social Icons

In Orwell, go to Settings → Social Icons. You need the View Design Settings permission.

Each social icon has:

Display Options

Discord Integration

If you've configured Discord integration for your VA, enabling "Discord Icon? Enable Integration" on a social icon makes it a one-click Discord join button. Instead of opening a URL, it automatically adds the pilot to your Discord server (with their consent).

Restoring Defaults

Click Default Config at the top of the dashboard editor to restore the default layout. This replaces your current configuration entirely - there is no undo.

Layout Best Practices

Understanding Rows and Columns

The dashboard is built row by row, but within each row, width blocks create columns. Think of it like a spreadsheet:

• A row is a horizontal band across the page

• Width blocks divide that row into columns

• Components fill those columns

Stay Consistent

The most common layout mistake is inconsistency. If you choose a two-column layout, commit to it:

• Don't overload one column - piling components into one side while the other sits empty creates visual imbalance

• Don't start new rows prematurely - breaking into single Full-width blocks disrupts the rhythm

• Pair components thoughtfully - components have different heights, so similar-height components work better side by side

Start from the Default

The default dashboard configuration is reasonably proportioned and demonstrates good layout principles. Rather than building from scratch:

1. Click Default Config to see a working layout

2. Make incremental changes

3. Preview often to check balance

For custom layouts, expect to experiment. There's no formula - you'll need to try different combinations until the proportions feel right.

Tips

• Flight Map pairs well - Use a Two Thirds + Third layout with Flight Map alongside Events or a custom image.

• Test both themes - Preview your dashboard in light and dark modes to ensure images and colours work in both.

• Use ordinal events for predictability - If you always want your main event in the same position, use Event (Ordinal) instead of Events.

• Set map heights in full blocks - The Flight Map needs a minimum height when placed in a Full width block, otherwise it may not display.

• Social icon images vs icons - The FontAwesome icon appears in navigation; the uploaded image appears on the dashboard. Design both for their context.