Connections
Every device that opens a room view counts as a connection. StageTick tracks connections in real time so you always know who is connected and can verify your setup before going live.
What counts as a connection?
Each browser tab viewing or controlling a room registers as one connection. If you have the Controller open on your laptop and the Fullscreen view on a second screen, that counts as two connections.
/ask (question submission) page does not count as a connection. Audience members submitting questions will never consume your connection quota.
Connection badge
On desktop, the connection badge in the Controller header shows the current number of connected devices. Click it to open the connections popup with more details. On phones, the connections list is in the ⋮ (More controls) menu.
Device Names
Give each connected device a custom name so you can identify it in the connections list. Set a name by adding a ?name= URL parameter (e.g., ?name=Stage%20Left) or rename it from the connections popup.
Named devices are much easier to manage during a show — instead of seeing "Fullscreen" twice, you see "Stage Left" and "FOH Monitor".
Connections popup
The connections popup shows all currently connected devices grouped by view type:
- Controller — devices running the main control interface
- Viewer — clean countdown displays
- Fullscreen — full-screen output displays
- Moderator — moderator preview screens
- Operator — operator control screens
- Agenda — read-only schedule views
Connection Management
Click or tap a device in the connections popup to show its actions. These actions are available to members of the room's organisation. If an action cannot be delivered, a red notice appears.
- Rename — change the device's display name. The device applies the name itself, so it has to be online. The name is kept when the device briefly loses its connection. After the device reloads, it shows the name from its link (
?name=) or its type again. - Flash — flash only that device's screen to physically locate it in the venue (works on Viewer, Fullscreen and Moderator screens; other connections are not affected)
- Reload — force the device to reload its page
- Disconnect — sends the device to the start page and removes it from the list, which frees its slot. Entries of devices that no longer respond, for example a crashed tab, disappear as well. The device can rejoin by opening the link again.
Reload and Disconnect take a second tap: the first tap changes the button to Reload? or Disconnect?, a second tap within three seconds sends it. A quick double-tap does not count, so pause briefly before the second tap. Your own tab is marked This device and offers no Reload or Disconnect.
Reload All Devices
The Reload All Devices button appears at the bottom of the Connections popup when at least one device is connected. It broadcasts a reload command to every connection in the room except the tab that triggered it, so the operator's own screen is never disrupted.
A single click-to-confirm flow prevents accidental broadcasts: the first click arms the button (label changes to Confirm? with a red highlight), and only the second click within three seconds actually fires. If you change your mind, just wait — the button resets automatically. If some devices do not receive the reload, a notice shows how many.
Reload, Disconnect and Reload All Devices work at any time, including while a timer is running, so you can recover a frozen screen mid-show. A reload briefly interrupts that screen's output, so use it deliberately during a live show. Flash and Rename take a single tap and never interrupt output.
Connection problems and recovery
If a device loses its connection, StageTick reconnects on its own. Controller, Operator and Moderator stay usable and can then show "You are offline. Changes will not sync until reconnected.", "Connection lost. Check your internet connection." or "Security verification failed. Reload the page to reconnect."; a room opened without a connection shows "You're offline", and a tab that can no longer sync shows "Live sync has stopped". What each message means and what to do: Offline & reconnect. Other messages, such as "Room is full", are explained in Troubleshooting.
App updates during a show
When a new version is available, StageTick shows a notice instead of reloading your screens. How to finish the update: Offline & reconnect.
Real-time presence
StageTick uses real-time presence detection to update the device list. Closing a tab normally removes its connection promptly. After an abrupt network loss, a device can remain listed until the lost connection is detected, so confirm the actual output before relying on its connection badge.
Connection limits per plan
| Plan | Connections per room |
|---|---|
| Free | 5 connections |
| Pro | 25 connections |
| Enterprise | 100 connections |
When a room has reached its limit, an additional Viewer, Fullscreen or Agenda screen opened from a shared link shows Room is full (“This room has reached its connection limit”) until a device disconnects; it then connects on its own. Members of the room's organisation are never blocked: Controller, Operator and Moderator always open, and output screens opened while signed in as a member open as well. Their tabs still count towards the limit — every open view counts, including your Controller.
An output screen that is already open keeps its place, also after a short connection loss. A screen that is reloaded, also via Reload All Devices, opens anew: if the room is full at that moment, it shows Room is full until a slot is free. To free a slot, use Disconnect in the connections list or close an unused tab, or upgrade.
On plans with a limit, the connections popup shows used/limit, for example 3/5. When a room reaches its limit, the connections list names the limit of your current plan and links to the next plan (Free → Pro, Pro → Enterprise).