How to Drip Course Content in Tutor LMS
Release Tutor LMS course content over time with the Pro Content Drip add-on: by date, days after enrollment, sequentially or after prerequisites.
Checked against the plugin source: Tutor LMS 4.1.3, Tutor LMS Pro 4.1.3
Content drip releases course content gradually instead of all at once. It keeps cohorts together, encourages steady progress and protects your content from being binged and refunded. In Tutor LMS, drip is a Tutor LMS Pro feature provided by the Content Drip add-on.
Step 1: Enable the add-on
Go to Tutor LMS > Addons and enable Content Drip ("Unlock lessons by schedule or when students meet a specific condition"). Without it, the course builder shows "Content Drip is a pro feature" or prompts you to activate the add-on.
Step 2: Choose the drip type for the course
Edit the course. In the Basic tab, open Content Drip and choose a Content Drip Type. There are four, and each course uses one:
| Option in the builder | Behavior | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule course content by date | Each item opens on a date you set | Cohorts that start together, live programs |
| Content available after X days from enrollment | Each item opens a number of days after the student enrolled | Evergreen courses with a steady pace |
| Course content available sequentially | Students must complete each item before the next opens | Skills that build on each other |
| Course content unlocked after finishing prerequisites | Items open when chosen earlier items are finished | Branching or flexible paths |
Internally the add-on stores these as unlock_by_date, specific_days, unlock_sequentially and after_finishing_prerequisites.
Step 3: Set availability on each item
Open each lesson, quiz or assignment in the Curriculum tab. Depending on the drip type you will see:
- for date-based drip, a date ("This lesson will be available from the given date. Leave empty to make it available immediately");
- for days-after-enrollment drip, a number of days ("This lesson will be available after the given number of days");
- for prerequisite-based drip, the items that must be completed first.
Sequential drip needs no per-item setting: order is the curriculum order.
Step 4: Test as a student
Enroll a test student and check what is locked and what is open. Locked items show as unavailable with information about when they open. For days-based drip, remember that each student's clock starts at their own enrollment date.
Drip vs prerequisites
Content drip controls items inside one course. The separate Prerequisites add-on controls access to whole courses: a student must finish Course A before enrolling in Course B. Combine them to build learning paths.
Tips
- Leave the first topic open so new students start immediately.
- Email students when new content opens (Pro Email add-on or your email tool).
- Do not drip so slowly that students lose momentum. Weekly releases work for most courses.
- Combine sequential drip with a passing grade on quizzes for mastery-based courses.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drip content in the free version?
No. Content drip is part of Tutor LMS Pro.
Can I use different drip types for different topics?
No. A course uses one drip type for all its items. Split content into separate courses if you need different rules.
Does drip work for students who enrolled before I enabled it?
Yes, but with days-based drip their enrollment date is in the past, so items may already be open. Check before you switch on drip for an existing course.
Need a drip rule Tutor LMS does not offer, such as unlocking after a live session? See Pro customization.
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I’m Vishavjeet Choubey, an Enterprise LMS Architect with 10+ years of experience helping businesses, coaches, universities, and online academies build and scale powerful digital learning platforms. I specialize in enterprise LMS architecture, WordPress, WooCommerce, LifterLMS, LearnDash, Moodle, custom plugin development, and AI-driven automation. I build scalable LMS platforms, high-converting eCommerce solutions, and custom WordPress applications designed to improve user experiences, streamline operations, and drive measurable business growth. My approach combines deep WordPress and LMS engineering expertise with modern AI automation to reduce manual work, improve efficiency, and help organizations launch, scale, and grow faster.
