How do moderators update custom off-topic reasons for their site?

Question

Now that the on-hold/close chane is live, how do site moderators update their off-topic reasons? Our list is rather sparse, and we are starting to get complaints questions about which to use.

Answer 1

• Go to a question on your site and click the "Close" link.
• Select "A community-specific reason" from the list.
• At the bottom of the list of close reasons, there will be a link to edit the list.
  From there, you can add a new custom close reason or deactivate close reasons that other moderators have added.

Alternatively, you can go to "Mod" -> "Links" -> "Manage community-specific close reasons", where you'll see the current reasons and an "add" button.

It will require another moderator to approve your edits to make sure that at least two people approve of the changes being made. This review and approval is done from "Manage community-specific close reasons".

Answer 2

Open the close dialog on any question, and click "off topic". Then click "edit these reasons"

Initially, you'll see a default OT reason, possibly with some custom ones. The default OT reason does not show up in the close menu, unless you currently have no active custom reasons. However, the default OT reason can show up on posts if:

• Close voters have used the custom (freeform) reason
• The post had outstanding close votes from before the overhaul

The custom ones can be deactivated. Deactivated close reasons cannot be seen in the close dialog, but will still be shown on closed questions (which have in the past been closed with that reason) and can be easily reactivated. To reactivate, click the "show deactivated" button, and then "reactivate".

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To propose a new custom reason, click the "add custom reason" button and write one.

As you can see, it is editable and can be deactivated, but it needs another moderator's approval to show up in the close dialog.

Note that these close reasons¹ cannot be edited once approved. Make sure the reason is good -- it should clearly explain the problem (with links to relevant help center or meta posts if necessary), and if possible explain how to fix it. Try to collaborate with the community on these.

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You can also reorder the close reasons by dragging them. Only 3 close reasons can be active at any given time. ^{1. Except the default; this one is always editable.}