---
title: "Read-only PDF mode in JavaScript | Nutrient"
canonical_url: "https://www.nutrient.io/guides/web/samples/open-read-only-pdf/"
md_url: "https://www.nutrient.io/guides/web/samples/open-read-only-pdf.md"
last_updated: "2026-05-23T00:08:18.187Z"
description: "Learn to set read-only mode in Nutrient to prevent PDF editing and annotations. Explore our guide for customizing permissions."
---

# Disable PDF editing and annotations

By setting the correct permissions, you can run Nutrient Web SDK in read-only mode, thereby preventing users from editing or annotating a PDF document. Get additional resources by visiting our guide about [customizing annotation permissions](/guides/web/annotations/create-edit-and-remove/permissions.md).

[Get Started](https://www.nutrient.io/sdk/web/getting-started.md)

[All Samples](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/web/samples.md)

[Download](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/web/downloads.md)

[Launch Demo](https://www.nutrient.io/demo/)

---

```js

import PSPDFKit from "@nutrient-sdk/viewer";

export function load(defaultConfiguration) {
  // Set the `readOnly` flag in the `initivalViewState` to true to disable
  // creating, editing or deleting annotations.
  // https://www.nutrient.io/api/web/PSPDFKit.ViewState.html#readOnly

  const initialViewState = new PSPDFKit.ViewState({
    readOnly: true,
  });

  return PSPDFKit.load({...defaultConfiguration, initialViewState }).then(
    (instance) => {
      return instance;
    }
  );
}

```

This code sample is an example that illustrates how to use our SDK. Please adapt it to your specific use case.

---

## Related pages

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