> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://forest-chore-open-api.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Use Forest with a read-only database

Although you'd be denying yourself some native features of Forest (CRUD), this may be mandatory for you because of your project's architecture or security requirements.

<Info>
  If you only want *some* fields to be read-only, check out [this section](https://docs.forestadmin.com/user-guide/collections/customize-your-fields#basic-settings).
</Info>

To set up Forest with a read-only database, follow those steps:

### Step 1: set all your collections as read-only

A collection can be set as read-only from its settings, accessible using the Layout Editor mode:

You must **disable all permissions** there, as described in [this section](https://docs.forestadmin.com/user-guide/project-settings/teams-and-users/manage-roles#collection-permissions-1).

<Warning>
  Repeat this for each of your collections.
</Warning>

### Step 2 (optional): interact with your data using Smart Actions

At this point, your Forest interface allows you only to browse your data and not interact with it.

You still have the opportunity to interact with your data according to your processes with a little coding: