# Host a live stream in your community https://help.circle.so/p/live-and-events/live-setup/host-a-live-stream-in-your-community Category: [Live and events](https://help.circle.so/p/live-and-events) › [Live setup](https://help.circle.so/p/live-and-events/live-setup) --- _Last updated: September, 2026_ Live interactions are a great way to engage your audience and elevate their community experience. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of initiating an instant live stream where community members can interact with hosts via the chat feature, allowing them to listen and engage with the content shared in the video stream. ## **Step 1: Create a live stream** To create a live stream from a desktop browser: 1. Click the community name or logo (or the dropdown icon next to it) in the top-left corner and select  **Back to community.** 2. Click  **Go live**  in the lower corner of the sidebar and select  **Start a live stream.** > 💡  **Tip:** You can start an instant live stream from the Circle mobile app by tapping the ➕ icon on the control bar and selecting **Go live**. > ℹ️ **Note:** The live stream sessions are subject to a **time limit of 8 hours** (whether or not live recording is enabled), after which it will end automatically. ### **Who can initiate a live stream** By default, only admins can start an instant live stream in the community. If you wish to grant all your members this privilege, refer to [**Allow members to go live in your community**](/p/live-and-events/live-setup/allow-members-to-go-live-in-your-community)[**.**](/p/live-and-events/live-setup/allow-members-to-go-live-in-your-community) Depending on your configuration for allowing members to [**go live**](/p/live-and-events/live-setup/allow-members-to-go-live-in-your-community) and [**create events within specific event spaces**](/p/live-and-events/events/allow-your-members-to-create-events), they can seamlessly utilize both instant live options and schedule events directly from the **Go live** flow. 📚 To learn about how many simultaneous Circle live sessions your community can host, check out our guide [**here**](/p/live-and-events/live-setup/hosting-multiple-live-sessions-simultaneously). ## **Step 2: Choose how you want to go live** There are two ways of going live in your community: - **Start an instant live stream:**  Initiate a live stream in your community anytime with a click of a button. - **Schedule an event:**  Plan your live stream event in one of your event spaces, with the location selected as  **Circle Live Stream.**  For more information about events, see [**Events**](https://help.circle.so/p/live-and-events/events) **.** ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/bdwl82zygbytvvjstqobwfity7d9) ## **Step 3: Configure live stream** Let's set up live stream details and configure various options before going live in your community. ### **Add stream details** - **Title:** Give your stream a title that'll be displayed in the in-app notifications for community members and the live stream information panel for all participants. - **Custom URL slug (optional):** You can add a custom URL slug for this stream. If left blank, it'll automatically take the stream title as a slug. - **Description (optional):** You can include a stream description that appears on the information panel inside the stream. The live stream description has a limit of 255 characters. ### **Choose stream visibility** You can choose one of the three [**visibility**](https://help.circle.so/p/live-and-events/live-setup/understanding-visibility-options-for-instant-live-sessions) options when it comes to streaming live based on your use case. - **Community:** - **Private:** - **Public:** ### **Disable live link sharing** This option becomes available only when you select the private visibility for your live stream. When this toggle is deactivated, both you and live attendees can share a private stream URL with individuals not listed as invited members (attendees/co-hosts), allowing them to join the live session. This live URL can be copied from the join live stream page or the browser’s address bar. To control link sharing, we suggest enabling the  **Disable live link sharing**  toggle when configuring the private live session. By doing so, only invited individuals will have access to the session. This action prevents uninvited members from entering the private live stream, even if someone shares the live URL with them, by copying it from the browser's address bar. ### **Enable recording** If you wish to record this stream, turn on the **Record this stream** toggle. Once the stream ends, the recording will automatically be sent via email to the live host’s account email. If a member is hosting the stream, the recording will be sent to their account email. > ℹ️  **Note:** Once you proceed backstage, you won't be able to modify the recording configuration. > 💡  **Tip:** Community admins can also download the recording directly from the [**live dashboard**](/p/live-and-events/live-management/utilizing-the-live-dashboard). If recording is enabled, a 🔴 **Recording** indicator will appear on the live screen, providing a clear visual cue that the session is being recorded. Additionally, individuals joining the live session will see an indication on the join screen that the live is being recorded. ### **Mute participants** To automatically mute all co-hosts or participants when they join a live session, turn on the **Mute participants** toggle. After joining the live session, participants can unmute themselves. ### **Hide participants list** Turn on this toggle to keep the list of participants hidden from the attendees during the live session. When enabled, only the host, co-host, and the live moderator can access the participant's list from the control bar. ### **Disable chat** Turn on this toggle to disable the chat during an event. When you disable chat, the chat panel is hidden for all participants on web and mobile. This is a per-session setting, so you can enable it for specific events while keep it disabled for others. This is especially useful for one-way broadcasts, compliance-sensitive events, or sessions where chat would be a distraction. > ❗️ **Important** : To prevent accidental activations, this setting cannot be changed once the event starts. ### **Choose the default stream view** Select from **Speaker** or **Gallery** as a default [**stream view**](/p/live-and-events/live-management/change-the-live-video-layout) for participants. ### ## **Step 4: Invite members** You have the flexibility to add attendees and [**co-hosts**](https://help.circle.so/p/live-and-events/live-setup/invite-members-to-co-host-a-live-stream) to your stream during setup. This is an important step, especially if you are setting up a private stream, as only members you add here will be notified. To add attendees: 1. Go to the  **Attendees**  tab and click  **Add attendees**. 2. In the  **Invite members**  dialog, enter the member's name and select them from the list. If you wish to include members from certain spaces, a space group, or those with specific member tags, simply type the relevant name and choose from the list. 3. Click  **Save**. To add co-hosts: 1. Go to the  **Co-hosts**  tab and click  **Add co-hosts**. 2. In the  **Add co-hosts**  dialogue, enter the member's name and select them from the list. 3. Click  **Save**. ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/kv9gpt8iin1lf97k24thgwdj4uwo) To remove any member from the attendees or co-hosts list, click  **Manage** , hover over a name, and then click  **Remove**. Once you have invited members, click  **Continue to video test**  to proceed to the next step, where you can test your microphone, camera, and device settings before entering backstage. 📚 To learn more about previewing and adjusting your audio and video, see our guide [**here**](https://help.circle.so/p/live-and-events/live-engagement/preview-and-adjust-your-audio-and-video-before-joining-live). ## **Step 5: Enter backstage** Once you are ready, click  **Enter Backstage**  on the live stream screen.   > 💡 **Tip:** If you have turned off the **Disable live link sharing** toggle for your private stream, you can copy the stream link from this step to share with any community member to have them join the private session. Your live attendees can also share a private stream URL with any member not included in your selected audience to have them join the stream. Backstage allows you to prepare and collaborate with co-hosts before going live. Once you enter backstage, the co-host will get notified in-app to join you in the stream. For more information, see [**Utilizing backstage for live streams**](/p/live-and-events/live-setup/utilizing-backstage-for-live-streams)[**.**](/p/live-and-events/live-setup/utilizing-backstage-for-live-streams) > ℹ️  **Note:** If members are trying to join the stream via live URL or from the event details page while you are still backstage, they’ll be directed to a screen with a message informing them that the stream will start soon. Once you go live, the option to join the stream will appear for them on the screen. ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/w5bp3uj4gfcvij0qody2apxo0yey) ## **Step 6: Go live** Once you are ready to start streaming, on the control bar, click **Go live** , and then confirm in the dialog. It will take a few seconds to initialize the stream, and once you are live, the **Live** badge will appear in the lower-right corner. 🔔 **Notifications:** Let's see how members will notified based on your stream visibility setting: - **Community** or **Public** : All community members will be notified via an in-app notification on a desktop and a push notification on the Circle mobile app that you are currently streaming live. - **Private:** An in-app and push notification will be sent to members you have added while setting up the stream. Any member you haven’t added to your stream won’t be able to see the live banner or get notified. > ℹ️ **Note:** Participants might notice a slight delay (around 10 seconds) in the time it takes for the hosts' audio and/or video to reach them. While it can depend on participants' internet connection, this delay is the norm on mass live streaming services, and so is to be expected. 📚 To learn more about how your community members can join your live stream, check out [**Join a live stream**](/p/members/live-and-events/join-a-live-stream)[**.**](/p/members/live-and-events/join-a-live-stream) ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/kc8yljqyiu6ey3b6ahx6szn1bec0) ### **Step 7: Manage live stream session** After you begin your live stream, you have access to various options available on the live stream screen to manage your session, including the ability to: - Manage device settings - Report technical issue - Internet strength - Raise your hand - Toggle microphone and camera - Share your screen - Reactions - Participate in a chat (if enabled) - Participate in Q&A - Invite your community member to co-host the stream - Manage [**live video layout**](https://help.circle.so/p/live-and-events/live-management/change-the-live-video-layout) 📚 For more information about managing your live stream, see [**Live Management**](https://help.circle.so/p/live-and-events/live-management) space in our Knowledge Base. ## **Step 8: End stream** Once you are done, you can click **End Stream** to end the streaming session. In case you (the host) decide to leave the stream without ending it and co-hosts remain in the stream, the stream will continue to be active, but co-hosts won’t receive host privileges. The host can also return to the stream by clicking the **Join stream** in the live banner in the lower corner of the left sidebar. There are several ways to end the stream if the host has left: - The host can click **End Stream** in the live banner in the lower corner of the left sidebar. - One of the community admins can end the stream from the [**Live dashboard**](/p/live-and-events/live-management/utilizing-the-live-dashboard) **.** - The remaining co-hosts can leave the stream. After the last co-host has left, the stream will automatically end after five minutes. ## **Relevant articles** - [**Invite members to co-host a live stream**](/p/live-and-events/live-setup/invite-members-to-co-host-a-live-stream) - [**Join a live stream as a co-host**](/p/live-and-events/live-engagement/join-a-live-stream-as-a-co-host) - [**Assign moderators for a live session**](/p/live-and-events/live-setup/assign-moderators-for-a-live-session) - [**Moderate a live session**](/p/live-and-events/live-engagement/moderate-a-live-session) - [**Join a live stream**](/p/members/live-and-events/join-a-live-stream) - [**Participate in the live stream**](/p/members/live-and-events/participate-in-the-live-stream)