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Live Stream Checklist

Most stream problems are small things you forgot: a muted mic, a wrong title, a scene that won't switch. This checklist covers your first stream setup, the prep before every stream, what to do while you're live, and the work after you end. It applies to Twitch, YouTube Live, and Kick.

YouTube & VideoPDF7 sectionsfree, no paywall

What you get

  • A first-time setup checklist for OBS or Streamlabs scenes, audio, alerts, overlays, and a bitrate test
  • A before-every-stream checklist for title, category, tags, notifications, and mods
  • During-stream and after-stream checklists for chat, breaks, clips, VODs, and analytics
  • A gear list to fill in, all in a branded, printable PDF

How to use this template

  1. 1. Do the setup list once. Work through the first-time setup a day or two before your first stream. On YouTube, turning on live streaming for a new channel can take up to 24 hours, so start early.
  2. 2. Print the pre-stream list. Keep the before-every-stream checklist next to your desk and tick it off 15 minutes before you go live. It takes a few minutes and catches most mistakes.
  3. 3. Set break reminders. Use the during-stream list to plan breaks and clip markers ahead of time. It's hard to remember them once chat gets busy.
  4. 4. Finish the after-stream list the same day. Export the VOD, mark clips, and write down one thing to change next time while the stream is still fresh.

Still choosing the tool you will run this in? Compare two side by side, or read how each profile is built in our review methodology.

What's inside

2 of 7 sections shown; the remaining 5 come with the free download.

What is a live stream checklist?

A live stream checklist is the set of things you confirm before, during and after a broadcast. It splits into a one-time setup for scenes, audio, alerts and bitrate, a short run-through fifteen minutes before each stream, habits to hold while live, and the clipping and review work afterwards.

Streamers see the value right after the first stream that ran forty minutes on a muted mic. A printed pre-stream list takes two minutes and catches the title, the category, the starting scene and the levels, which is where nearly every avoidable stream problem comes from.

Before every stream

Run this 15 minutes before you go live, every time.

  • Stream title set and specific to today's stream
  • Category or game selected correctly
  • Tags added (Twitch and Kick) or description and tags filled in (YouTube)

5 more sections and the PDF are behind the free download.

Tools that help with this

The template does the thinking; these are the products creators run it in. The full software directory has the rest.

  • OBS Studio

    OBS Studio is a free, open-source application for live streaming and video recording available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

    $0

  • StreamYard

    StreamYard is a browser-based live streaming studio that lets you go live to multiple platforms, bring on guests with a link, and add branded overlays -- all without downloading software.

    $0/mo

  • Restream

    Restream is a browser-based live streaming platform that lets you broadcast simultaneously to 30+ platforms including YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

    $0/mo

  • Ecamm Live

    Ecamm Live is a Mac-only live streaming and video production app that lets you broadcast to multiple platforms with professional overlays, multi-camera support, and guest interviews.

    $20/mo

  • Streamlabs

    Streamlabs is a live streaming platform built around a free OBS-based desktop app, a browser-based studio (Talk Studio), and cloud multistreaming.

    $0/mo

Categories to browse: Live Streaming Software, Webinar Platforms.

Frequently asked questions

What is a live stream checklist?

It is a fixed list of the checks a stream needs: a one-time setup for software, scenes and audio, a short pre-stream run-through, habits while live, and the clipping and analytics work afterwards. It exists because most stream problems are small, forgettable settings.

What do I need for my first Twitch stream?

A computer or console, streaming software such as OBS Studio or Streamlabs, a microphone, and a steady upload connection. A webcam helps but is optional. Before going live, set up your scenes, check your mic levels, and run a short test stream to check for dropped frames.

What bitrate should I stream at?

It depends on your resolution, frame rate, upload speed, and platform. Twitch and YouTube both publish recommended settings on their help pages, so start there. Leave headroom: your bitrate should be well under your tested upload speed.

Does this checklist work for YouTube Live and Kick?

Yes. The steps are the same across platforms. The main differences are where you set the title and tags, how you connect your software, and each platform's recommended encoder settings.

How early should I start setting up before going live?

Fifteen minutes for the routine checks, and a day or two for anything new. A fresh YouTube channel can wait up to 24 hours before live streaming is enabled, and new gear always deserves a test stream before an audience sees it.