diff --git a/aplus_setup.py b/aplus_setup.py
index 00347ac..3053931 100644
--- a/aplus_setup.py
+++ b/aplus_setup.py
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ def setup(app):
     app.add_config_value('append_content', [], 'html')
     app.add_config_value('override', {}, 'html')
     app.add_config_value('category_names', {}, 'html')
+    app.add_config_value('categories', {}, 'html')
     app.add_config_value('static_host', None, 'html')
     app.add_config_value('ae_default_submissions', 0, 'html')
     app.add_config_value('skip_language_inconsistencies', False, 'html')
diff --git a/directives/ae_output.py b/directives/ae_output.py
index 1d68ddd..d495211 100644
--- a/directives/ae_output.py
+++ b/directives/ae_output.py
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 Directive that places active element output divs.
 '''
 import os.path
+from typing import Any, Dict
+
 from docutils.parsers.rst import directives
 from docutils import nodes
 from sphinx.errors import SphinxError
@@ -84,6 +86,7 @@ def run(self):
         key_title = "{} {}".format(translations.get(env, 'exercise'), key)
 
         # Load or create exercise configuration.
+        data: Dict[str, Any]
         if 'config' in self.options:
             path = os.path.join(env.app.srcdir, self.options['config'])
             if not os.path.exists(path):
@@ -106,9 +109,18 @@ def run(self):
             'title': env.config.submit_title.format(
                 key_title=key_title, config_title=config_title
             ),
-            'category': 'active elements',
             'max_submissions': self.options.get('submissions', data.get('max_submissions', env.config.ae_default_submissions)),
         })
+
+        if "category" in self.options:
+            data["category"] = self.options["category"]
+        elif "category" not in data:
+            data["category"] = (
+                "active elements"
+                if data["max_submissions"] == 0 else
+                "active elements with max submissions"
+            )
+
         data.setdefault('status', self.options.get('status', 'unlisted'))
 
         self.apply_override(data, category)
diff --git a/toc_config.py b/toc_config.py
index 93ca103..dbc5bed 100644
--- a/toc_config.py
+++ b/toc_config.py
@@ -395,15 +395,31 @@ def parse_chapter(docname, doc, parent, module_meta):
 
     # Create categories.
     category_names = app.config.category_names
+    for key, name in category_names.items():
+        category = app.config.categories.get(key, {"name": name})
+        if name != category.get("name", name):
+            raise SphinxError(f"Name mismatch between config options 'category_names' and 'categories' for key '{key}': '{name}' vs '{category['name']}'")
+
     categories = {
         key: {
             'name': category_names.get(key, key),
         } for key in category_keys
     }
+
+    for key, category in app.config.categories.items():
+        if key not in categories:
+            raise SphinxError(f"Category with key '{key}' was configured but not used in the material")
+
+        categories[key].update(category)
+
     for key in ['chapter', 'feedback']:
         if key in categories:
-            categories[key]['status'] = 'nototal'
+            categories[key].setdefault('status', 'nototal')
+
+    if "active elements" in categories:
+        categories["active elements"].setdefault("accept_unofficial_submits", True)
 
+    # Set unprotected paths
     unprotected_paths = course_meta.get('unprotected-paths', app.config.unprotected_paths)
     if isinstance(unprotected_paths, str):
         unprotected_paths = shlex.split(unprotected_paths)