Getting started

From sign-in to a live session in eight steps. This assumes Farbstrom is already deployed and you have the admin password. Throughout, <host> is your Farbstrom domain (e.g. stream.yourdomain.com).

1. Sign in

Open https://<host>/admin and enter your admin password. If you've set up two-factor or a passkey, complete that too — see Settings.

2. Create a stream key

The stream key is what your encoder uses to push video in. Open the Stream keys tab, click + New Key, and name it (e.g. Main Suite). The key's card shows the ready-made ingest URLs you'll need in step 4. More in Stream keys.

3. Create a room

Open the Rooms tab, click + New Room, and fill it in:

• Name — e.g. Client Review — Project X.
• Stream key — pick the key from step 2. Leave it as None and the room runs in call mode — conference only, no stream.
• Delivery mode — WebRTC for sub-second latency, or LLHLS for HDR and broader compatibility (see HDR review).
• Expires, password, waiting room, and audio defaults are all optional.

Save, and the room appears as a card with its links. Full detail in Rooms.

4. Connect your encoder

The Stream keys tab lists the full ingest URL for every protocol next to your key — copy the one you need straight into your encoder, no hand-editing. SRT is recommended (lowest latency, H.265 passthrough); RTMP is the universal fallback. Step-by-step setup and recommended settings are in Encoders and OBS Studio.

5. Go live

Start streaming. The room goes live within moments and the stream shows up on the Dashboard with its bitrate, resolution, and duration.

6. Share the room

Each room card has two links — use the copy buttons:

• Room link (https://<host>/watch/<slug>) — share this with participants.
• Host link — grants presenter controls; share only with co-hosts.

If the room has a password, share that separately.

7. Admit and moderate

With a waiting room on, people queue in the room card until you Admit them — one by one or all at once. During the session you can mute or remove anyone.

8. End the room

Click End Room on the card. Everyone sees a "session has ended" screen.

Next steps

• Rooms — every room option in depth.
• Encoders — protocols and encoder setup.
• Joining a room — what participants experience.