# Locking content until a lesson is completed

> With Lock you release a lesson or a whole module only once your participants have completed a particular lesson.

Source: https://tentary.com/en/help/lock-lessons/
Last updated: 2026-09-04

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With Lock you release a lesson or a whole module only once a particular lesson has been completed, so everyone moves through the course in the order you intend.

## First switch on progress

Locking works off learner progress, so the course needs progress tracking turned on before it does anything.

Open your course, go to the **Settings** tab and switch on **Show learners a progress bar and mark lessons complete as they finish them** in the **Progress** section.

Without it you can still create a lock, but it will not be enforced. The dialog says so when this is the case.

## Setting a lock

1. Open your course and click the status of the lesson or module in the course outline, for example **Published**.
2. Choose **Lock** from the menu.

   ![The course outline with a status menu open, showing the Lock entry](https://tentary.com/help/en/lock-lessons/sperren-menu.webp)

3. Under **Prerequisite lesson**, pick the lesson that has to be completed first.
4. Click **Lock**.

The outline then shows what that item is waiting for.

## Whole modules or single lessons

As with drip, you can lock either:

- **A module:** everything inside stays locked until the prerequisite is completed. This releases whole chapters in order.
- **A single lesson:** only that lesson waits.

## Lock or drip?

Both sit in the same menu but answer different needs:

- **Lock** depends on what someone has already finished. Faster learners get ahead sooner.
- **[Drip](https://tentary.com/en/help/drip-content/)** depends on time. Everyone waits the same length, whatever their progress.

You can combine the two. A module that starts 7 days after purchase and also requires the introduction opens only once both are satisfied.

> **Tip:** Use locks sparingly. A single lock at the start of each module keeps the course in order without leaving participants in front of closed doors all the time.