Quick Start - Dkmariolink/ez-streaming GitHub Wiki

Quick Start Tutorial

Welcome to EZ Streaming! This tutorial will get you up and running in just 5 minutes.

What You'll Learn

  • How to create your first profile
  • How to add streaming applications
  • How to configure launch delays
  • How to launch all your apps at once

Prerequisites

  • EZ Streaming installed and running
  • At least one streaming application installed on your computer (like OBS, Discord, or Spotify)

Step 1: Understanding the Interface

When you first open EZ Streaming, you'll see:

Main Components

  • Profile Dropdown: Select or manage different streaming setups
  • Program List: Shows applications in your current profile
  • Launch All Button: Starts all applications in sequence
  • Action Buttons: Individual launch/close controls for each app

Default Setup

  • EZ Streaming creates a "Default" profile automatically
  • Two empty program rows are ready for your first applications

Step 2: Adding Your First Application

Let's add OBS Studio as an example:

Method 1: Using "Locate App by Name" (Recommended)

  1. Click the "Locate App by Name" button in the first row
  2. Type "OBS" in the search box
  3. Click "Search"
  4. EZ Streaming will find OBS and automatically fill in:
    • Name: "OBS Studio"
    • Path: The correct executable path

Method 2: Browse Manually

  1. Click the "Browse" button in the first row
  2. Navigate to your application (e.g., C:\Program Files\obs-studio\bin\64bit\obs64.exe)
  3. Select the executable file
  4. The name will be auto-populated, or you can customize it

Supported Applications

EZ Streaming has smart detection for 24+ streaming apps including:

  • Streaming Software: OBS, Streamlabs, XSplit, Twitch Studio
  • Communication: Discord, TeamSpeak
  • Music: Spotify, VLC
  • Stream Tools: Mix It Up, Touch Portal, VTube Studio

Step 3: Adding More Applications

Let's add Discord as a second application:

  1. Use the second program row
  2. Click "Locate App by Name"
  3. Search for "Discord"
  4. Select the result

Pro Tip: EZ Streaming can find applications even if they're installed in non-standard locations!

Step 4: Configuring Launch Order

Applications launch in the order they appear in the list:

Reordering Applications

  1. Click and drag the drag handle (≡) on the left of each row
  2. Drop the application in your desired position
  3. Best Practice: Put heavier applications (like OBS) first, lighter ones (like Spotify) last

Why Order Matters

  • Heavy applications need more time to load
  • Some applications depend on others being ready first
  • Good order reduces system strain during startup

Step 5: Setting Up Launch Delays

Launch delays prevent overwhelming your system:

Profile Default Delay

  1. Look for the "Default Launch Delay" setting at the top
  2. Set it to 5 seconds (good starting point)
  3. This delay applies between each application launch

Per-Application Custom Delays

  1. For heavy applications like OBS:
    • Check the "Custom delay" checkbox
    • Set a longer delay (e.g., 8 seconds)
  2. For lighter applications:
    • Leave unchecked to use the default delay

Delay Best Practices

  • OBS/Streamlabs: 8-10 seconds
  • Games: 5-8 seconds
  • Discord/Spotify: 2-3 seconds
  • Browser tabs: 1-2 seconds

Step 6: Your First Launch

Now let's test everything:

  1. Click the "Launch All" button
  2. Watch the status updates in the bottom status bar
  3. EZ Streaming will show:
    • "Launching [App Name]..."
    • "Waiting X seconds..."
    • Progress for each application

What to Expect

  • Applications will open in the order you set
  • Delays will be respected between launches
  • The UI remains responsive throughout
  • Launch buttons change to "Launched" when apps are running

Step 7: Managing Running Applications

Once applications are launched:

Individual Control

  • Launch Button becomes "Launched" and is disabled
  • Close Button remains active to close individual apps
  • Status indicators show which apps are running

Closing Applications

  • Close Individual: Click the "Close" button for specific apps
  • Close All: Use the "Close All" button to shut down everything

Step 8: Saving Your Work

EZ Streaming automatically saves:

  • Your profile configuration
  • Application paths and settings
  • Launch delay preferences
  • Window position and size

Manual Save

  • Changes are saved when you switch profiles
  • Or when you close the application
  • Green checkmark indicates saved status

Creating Additional Profiles

For different streaming scenarios:

Example Profiles

  • Gaming Stream: OBS + Discord + Spotify + Game
  • Art Stream: OBS + Art Software + Reference Browser + Music
  • Podcast: Recording Software + Skype + Notes App + Music

Creating a New Profile

  1. Click the dropdown arrow next to the profile name
  2. Select "New Profile"
  3. Name it (e.g., "Gaming Setup")
  4. Add applications specific to that scenario

Advanced Quick Tips

Performance Optimization

  • System with 8GB+ RAM: Default 5-second delays are fine
  • System with 4GB RAM: Use longer delays (7-10 seconds)
  • SSD Storage: Can use shorter delays
  • HDD Storage: Use longer delays

Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • App won't launch: Check the path is correct
  • System slows down: Increase launch delays
  • App launches but crashes: Try launching it manually first
  • Path not found: Use "Browse" to manually locate the executable

Power User Features

  • Drag and Drop: Reorder applications easily
  • Profile Duplication: Copy existing profiles as templates
  • Steam Games: EZ Streaming can find Steam games automatically
  • Process Monitoring: See which apps are actually running

Next Steps

Now that you have the basics:

  1. Experiment with different profiles for various streaming scenarios
  2. Fine-tune your launch delays based on your system performance
  3. Explore advanced features like process management
  4. Read about Profile Management for power user features

Common First-Time Questions

Q: How many applications can I add?
A: No hard limit! Most users have 3-8 applications per profile.

Q: Can I add non-streaming applications?
A: Absolutely! Add any Windows executable you regularly use.

Q: What if EZ Streaming can't find my application?
A: Use the "Browse" button to manually locate the executable file.

Q: Can I change the order after adding applications?
A: Yes! Just drag and drop using the handles on the left.

Q: Do I need to save manually?
A: No, EZ Streaming auto-saves your changes.

Congratulations! 🎉

You've successfully set up your first EZ Streaming profile! You can now:

  • Launch multiple applications with one click
  • Switch between different streaming setups
  • Save time on your pre-stream routine

Ready for more? Check out Profile Management to learn about advanced profile features!