# Host a public live stream in your community > For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](/llms.txt). https://help.circle.so/p/live-and-events/live-setup/host-a-public-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: October, 2026_ Whether your community is public or private, Circle live offers you the ability to organize public live streams, reaching a broader audience outside your community. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of setting up a public live 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 this privilege to all your members, refer to [**Allow members to go live in your community.**](https://help.circle.so/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** - **Schedule a live event** ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/t607nxzbhier8kgkq2tf2ansgm2w) ## **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 public stream a title that'll be displayed in the in-app notifications for community members and the live stream information tab 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 tab inside the stream. The live stream description has a limit of 255 characters. ### **Choose access** - **Visibility:** Choose **Public** from the menu. - **Default view:** Select from **Speaker** or **Gallery** as a default stream view for participants. > ℹ️ **Note:** When you choose **Public** visibility, your community members will also be able to join the live stream. ### **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. ### **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. ### **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. ### **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. ## **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. 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/u1d719bk3xoj6sfd1d33d9vzx3c6) To remove any member from the attendees or co-hosts list, click **Manage** , hover over a name, and then click **Remove**. > ℹ️ **Note:** Visitors are included in the total participant limit of your community plan. For more information about live stream limits under your community plan, see the following: > > - [**Welcome to Circle live**](/p/live-and-events/live-setup/circle-live-overview) > > - [**Circle pricing**](https://circle.so/pricing/) 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 and get the live event link** Once you are ready, click  **Enter Backstage**  on the live stream screen. 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. While backstage, you can copy the public live URL from the  **Share live event link**  dialog or the  **Stream information**  panel. Share this URL with your visitors using your preferred communication method. > ℹ️  **Note:** If members or visitors are trying to join the stream 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/aryymbra5xinvbf5m69v5fo5g0bi) ## **Step 6: Go live** Once you are ready to start streaming, on the control bar, click **Go live** , and then confirm in the dialog. > 🔔 **Notifications:** When you go live, all community members get an in-app notification on the desktop and a push notification on the Circle mobile app. > 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. ![](https://assets-v2.circle.so/ps0l2sa7y959omeafa2rc38qt4zy) ## **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, refer to the [**Live Management**](/p/live-and-events/live-management) section in the Help Center. ## **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** - [**Using Circle live feature with events**](https://help.circle.so/p/live-and-events/events/using-circle-live-feature-with-events) - [**Invite members to co-host a live stream**](/p/live-and-events/live-setup/invite-members-to-co-host-a-live-stream) - [**Assign moderators for a live session**](/p/live-and-events/live-setup/assign-moderators-for-a-live-session) - [**Join a public live stream as a visitor**](/p/live-and-events/live-engagement/join-a-public-live-stream-as-a-visitor) - [**Participate in a public live stream as a visitor**](/p/live-and-events/live-engagement/participate-in-a-public-live-stream-as-a-visitor) - [**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)