# Quick Start: Making aethex.live Your Streaming Platform

## 🚀 5-Minute Setup

### Step 1: Choose Your Streaming Provider

**Easiest Option - Cloudflare Stream:**
1. Go to https://dash.cloudflare.com/
2. Select "Stream" from the sidebar
3. Create a new live input
4. Copy your HLS playback URL

**Alternative Options:**
- **Mux** - https://mux.com (great developer experience)
- **AWS IVS** - https://aws.amazon.com/ivs/ (scalable)
- **Self-hosted** - See STREAMING_SETUP.md

### Step 2: Configure Your Stream

```bash
# Create your environment file
cp .env.example .env.local

# Edit .env.local and add your stream URL:
NEXT_PUBLIC_STREAM_URL=your-hls-stream-url-here.m3u8
```

### Step 3: Test Locally

```bash
npm run dev
```

Visit http://localhost:3000 - your stream should appear!

### Step 4: Set Up OBS Studio

1. Download OBS: https://obsproject.com/
2. In OBS: Settings → Stream
3. Add your RTMP URL and Stream Key (from your provider)
4. Click "Start Streaming"

### Step 5: Deploy to Production

**Deploy to Vercel (Recommended):**

```bash
# Install Vercel CLI
npm i -g vercel

# Deploy
vercel

# Add your environment variables in Vercel dashboard
# Settings → Environment Variables → Add NEXT_PUBLIC_STREAM_URL
```

**Or use the Vercel button:**
- Push to GitHub
- Click "Deploy with Vercel" button in README
- Add environment variables

## ✅ You're Live!

Your platform is now running at: `https://your-project.vercel.app`

## 🎯 Next Steps

### Make It Yours

1. **Update Branding**
   - Edit `app/page.tsx` - Change "AeThex LABS" to your brand
   - Replace favicon in `app/favicon.ico`
   - Update colors in the components

2. **Add Real Chat** (Currently mock)
   - Firebase: See `docs/FIREBASE_CHAT.md`
   - WebSocket: See `docs/WEBSOCKET_CHAT.md`
   - Use API routes in `app/api/chat/`

3. **Connect Custom Domain**
   - In Vercel: Settings → Domains
   - Add `aethex.live`
   - Update DNS records

4. **Add Features**
   - [ ] User authentication
   - [ ] VOD archives
   - [ ] Multiple channels
   - [ ] Subscriptions/donations
   - [ ] Analytics dashboard

## 📊 Monitor Your Stream

- **Viewer Count**: Update `components/ViewerCount.tsx` with real data
- **Stream Status**: Use `/api/stream/status` endpoint
- **Chat History**: Use `/api/chat/messages` endpoint

## 🛟 Common Issues

**Stream won't load:**
- Check your HLS URL is correct
- Verify CORS is enabled on your stream
- Check browser console for errors

**Chat not working:**
- Currently uses mock data
- Implement real backend (see API routes)
- Add WebSocket or Firebase

**Deployment fails:**
- Verify environment variables are set
- Check build logs in Vercel
- Ensure all dependencies are installed

## 📚 Additional Resources

- **Streaming Setup**: `STREAMING_SETUP.md`
- **Config Reference**: `config/streaming.ts`
- **API Routes**: `app/api/`

## 💬 Need Help?

- Check GitHub Issues
- Join our Discord (if configured)
- Review Next.js docs: https://nextjs.org/docs

---

**You're all set!** Start streaming and building your community on aethex.live! 🎉