First-Stream Go-Live Protocol. The pre-stream checklist for the first-ever broadcast.

30 minutes before going live:

• Run a final test record (5 minutes)
• Restart OBS Studio (clears any cached resource issues)
• Close unnecessary background apps (Discord still open for any side communication, but games not in use should be closed)
• Test internet speed at speedtest.net (verify upload speed sufficient)
• Set Twitch/YouTube stream metadata (title, category, tags)

15 minutes before going live:

• Switch OBS to Starting Soon scene
• Start broadcasting (Stream button) — your stream is live, but viewers see Starting Soon scene
• Post on social media: "Going live in 15 minutes"
• Test that your stream is showing up correctly on Twitch/YouTube

5 minutes before going live:

• Final outfit/lighting check on webcam
• Take a sip of water
• Take a deep breath — first streams feel scary, that's normal
• Do the rough stream open in your head (the first 60 seconds)

Going live:

• Switch OBS to Live scene
• Hit your scripted opening (Module 4.3 from Algorithm Mastery course covered this)
• Greet first viewers by name
• Don't stress about technical issues — they always happen on first streams. Acknowledge them naturally and continue.

The discipline: the first stream is the one you'll learn the most from. Don't worry about perfection. Worry about getting through it and identifying what to fix for stream 2.

The first 5-10 streams are calibration. The audience that finds you in those streams is the audience that compounds.