Live mode – event control — Arthoff documentation

Arthoff provides three main live views for different event roles: Presenter, Actor/Performer, and Viewer.

Arthoff provides three main live views for different roles during an event:

Presenter (/present) runs the event, advances cues, monitors progress, and communicates with the team.
Actor / Performer (/show) sees only the cues and directions relevant to their role.
Viewer (/view) is a read-only view for technical staff, producers, clients, or other observers.

These views can also be used in read-only or full-screen variants depending on access and configuration.

Presenter mode (`/present`)

Presenter mode is the event control center. It shows the active cue, upcoming cues, navigation controls, and team communication.

🟢 Current cue

The central panel displays the active cue, including its number, name, type, primary content, and any relevant director notes.

👀 Upcoming cues

A list of upcoming cues, three by default in the source documentation, gives the presenter advance context. Each item shows cue number, type, and a compact content preview.

▶️ Controls

Presenter controls support moving backward, pausing, advancing, jumping, and opening the full cue list.

Keyboard shortcuts documented in the source include:

Space – next cue,
Left Arrow – previous,
Right Arrow – next,
J – jump,
L – cue list.

Running cues

Press Space or click Next.

The next cue becomes current.

Cues configured for automatic triggering can run after the previous cue completes, after a time condition, or after another configured signal.

Jump to a specific cue

Press J or click Jump.

Enter a cue number or choose one from the list. Filters can narrow the list by type or section.

Confirm the jump to make the selected cue current.

Trigger the cue separately when required by the current flow.

Note

Jumping can skip preparation states. For cues such as lighting fades, the application can warn that the transition may require additional preparation.

Pause and resume

Use P or the pause control to stop automatic cue advancement. Resume with Space or the play/next action.

Full cue list

The cue-list view can be used to:

sort by number, type, or section,
filter by keywords,
mark cues as favorites,
jump directly to a selected cue.

The documented live interface includes a chat panel for messages to all operators or selected users with @name. The source also mentions optional command-style messages when a matching integration is installed.

Read-only mode for guests

A guest can use a /view link or project sharing to follow current and upcoming cues without presenter controls or editing access.

Actor / performer view (`/show`)

The actor view is deliberately simplified and shows only what the performer needs.

What does an actor see?

The view can contain:

actor and character identity,
the current assigned cue,
a small list of upcoming cues,
director notes associated with the actor’s cue.

Actor features

Mark cue as completed to help the director track progress.
Director-note notifications can appear below cue text.
Brightness / contrast controls improve readability under stage lighting.
Light and dark themes can adapt the interface to the venue environment.

Note

In the documented role model, actors cannot reorder cues, edit cue content, or run the event.

Viewer mode (`/view`)

Viewer mode is for people who need to observe the event without controlling it.

Viewer capabilities

See the current cue and upcoming cues.
Show dialogue-derived subtitles when enabled.
Use full-screen mode for dedicated monitors.
Manually refresh the state when connectivity is poor.
Select stream quality when video streaming is enabled.

In the project, choose Share → Create view link.

Configure expiration, optional password protection, and the intended recipient mode.

Copy the generated link and send it through email or messaging.

Common viewer scenarios

A backstage lighting operator monitors upcoming lighting cues.
An assistant director observes the flow without taking control.
A client or producer follows a rehearsal remotely.
A view can be used as a read-only output for a remote audience when the project’s streaming setup supports it.

Frequently asked questions

Does live mode work without internet access?

The source documentation describes Offline First behavior: cached script data can remain visible and progress can be marked locally, but real-time cue triggering and updates from other users require connectivity.

How can I reduce latency after pressing Space?

The source guide recommends stable wired networking where possible, reducing local CPU/browser load, and using a low-latency presenter configuration that minimizes transition animation overhead.

Can presenter mode be open on two monitors?

Yes. The documented workflow uses separate browser windows for different views while keeping them synchronized to the same event state.

What happens if connectivity is lost during the event?

Cached state remains available locally. Once connectivity returns, Arthoff synchronizes the state and may require conflict resolution if the same data changed elsewhere.

How do I enable subtitles from Dialogue cues?

Enable the dialogue-subtitle option in presenter settings, then display the subtitle output in a viewer-oriented window. The source documentation describes adjustable subtitle size, font, and color through accessibility settings.

Live mode – event control