Release
Kickstart 1.5 R8: safer template imports and many fixes
A maintenance release for Kickstart 1.5: template access restrictions now also apply on import, imports work in more set-ups, and the course library respects every role setting. For Moodle 4.5 to 5.2.
- Published
- 5 November 2026
- Version
- 1.5 R8
- Runs on
- Moodle 4.5 – 5.2
- Plugin
- Kickstart
Kickstart 1.5 R8 is a maintenance release for Moodle 4.5 to 5.2. It is the update for every site that stays on Moodle 4.5 for now – and all its fixes are also part of Kickstart 1.6, our new version for Moodle 5.0 to 5.2.
Access restrictions on import
Template access restrictions (cohorts, categories, users, roles) are now also checked when a template is imported, not only in the template list.
Imports that work
Importing a template no longer fails with “Restore failed with status: 600” when restore defaults are locked in the site administration. With the import target “Merge Kickstart templates into courses”, imports no longer fail on restore settings that only apply when replacing content.
Keep roles, enrolments and groups
The settings for keeping current roles, enrolments, groups and groupings now work as described.
Full permission check in the course library
The course library uses Moodle’s full capability check, so role assignments in categories, overrides and prohibitions count. It shows at least 10 courses per page.
A tidier course library
Section summaries are cut at the right number of words, and the Module trim length setting now says that it counts words. List and grid sizing is improved, and template pictures are no longer cropped.
Instructions through web services
Student and teacher instructions can be read and saved through web services. The upgrade converts the existing ones.
Accessibility, privacy and a clean uninstall
View and slide buttons are labelled, and headings help screen readers. The plugin declares and exports its user preference (templates per page). Uninstalling removes only the course format options Kickstart created.
New documentation
New guides for administrators, teachers and developers in the Documentation Center, and new READMEs for Kickstart and Kickstart Pro.
Staff on this course, by capability
Staff on this course now lists actively enrolled users with the new capability Include in the course staff list (local/kickstart_pro:isstaff). Roles based on Teacher and Non-editing teacher have it by default; give it to any other role whose members should appear. Suspended and expired enrolments are no longer listed, and people with several roles show all of their role names.
Safer course library and Activity Creator
In Kickstart Pro, section summaries in the course library are escaped, and the Activity Creator checks that the user may add that type of activity in the course.
Multilingual course names
Course names in page titles and headings go through Moodle’s filters, so multilingual names display correctly. A JavaScript error on course creation forms is fixed, and the activity menu is labelled for screen readers.
Moodle 4.5 to 5.2
Kickstart 1.5 R8 supports Moodle 4.5, 5.0, 5.1 and 5.2. On Moodle 5, you can also move on to Kickstart 1.6.
Update Kickstart Pro too
If you use Kickstart Pro, update it to 1.5 R8 at the same time: Kickstart Pro 1.5 R8 requires Kickstart 1.5 R8. There was no Kickstart Pro R7 – the release numbers of both plugins now match. Back up your site before upgrading, as always.
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