Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about the app, your data, and how it all works.
Is Stream Manager free?
Yes. Stream Manager is completely free and open source. There are no paid tiers, subscriptions, or locked features. If it saves you time and you want to support development, you can Buy Me a Coffee.
What platforms does it run on?
Windows only, for now (Windows 10 or later). It ships as a single portable executable: download the ZIP, extract it, and run StreamManager.exe. There is no installer, so it can run from anywhere, including an external drive.
Is it available for Mac or Linux?
Not yet. Stream Manager is currently Windows-only. Support for other platforms may come later, but there is no set timeline.
Why does Windows SmartScreen warn me when I first run it?
Stream Manager is not signed with a commercial code-signing certificate, so Windows SmartScreen may show a "Windows protected your PC" warning on first launch. Those certificates are expensive and mostly serve large vendors, so a free open source project ships unsigned for now. Click "More info", then "Run anyway" to launch it. Because the project is open source, you can review exactly what the app does on GitHub before running it. There are more details on the About page.
Does Stream Manager work with OBS?
Yes. Stream Manager works with recordings from OBS or any other software that saves normal video files to a local folder. The default OBS file name format (YYYY-MM-DD HH-MM-SS) works out of the box, and an auto-rule can watch your OBS recording folder and organize new files into your library automatically. The Get Started guide walks through the whole setup.
Do I need an account to use it?
No. Stream Manager runs locally and needs no account. Connecting YouTube, Twitch, or Claude is optional and only required for the features that use them, like metadata sync or Stream Relay.
Where is my data stored?
Everything stays on your machine. App settings live in your Windows AppData folder, and each stream’s details are stored right next to its files, so your library stays portable even if you move it to another drive or machine. Any API keys you add are stored locally and never sent anywhere except the service they belong to.
Does Stream Manager upload my recordings anywhere?
No. Stream Manager never uploads your recording files. Metadata sync sends only the details you choose (titles, descriptions, tags, thumbnails) to YouTube or Twitch when you ask it to. Stream Relay forwards your live encoder stream to YouTube in real time, but it does not touch the files on your disk.
What is Stream Relay?
Stream Relay lets Stream Manager sit between your encoder and YouTube as a local relay. Point OBS at the app instead of YouTube and it binds your scheduled broadcast, takes it live the moment you start streaming, and ends it when you stop. It passes your already-encoded stream straight through without re-encoding, so there is no meaningful extra load. It currently works with YouTube only; Twitch support is tentatively planned.
Do I have to use every feature?
No. Stream Manager is designed so you can adopt only the parts that fit your workflow. You can use just the templating tools or only the thumbnail editor or just the converter. Most features are independent and don't require using others. Any features that require an account (YouTube, Twitch, or Claude) are optional and only needed for the features that use them.
Can it manage my past Twitch VODs?
Not directly. The Twitch API only allows editing details for the current stream, so past VODs cannot be synced after the fact. YouTube is different: the two-way sync can push and pull details for existing videos, and you can import your channel’s videos as stream items.
What are the AI features?
Optional Claude (Anthropic) integration can help generate YouTube titles, descriptions, and tags, with inline suggestions while you edit. You bring your own Anthropic API key, which is stored locally, and data is only sent to Anthropic when you explicitly request a suggestion.
Does it work with other AI services besides Claude?
Currently, Stream Manager only supports Claude (Anthropic) for AI features (because that's what I personally use). Other AI services are not integrated at this time, but future updates may include additional options based on user feedback and demand. Let me know through Discord or GitHub if you have a specific service you'd like to see supported.
How do I report a bug or request a feature?
Open an issue on the GitHub repository, or hop into the Discord server. Both are checked regularly, and feature ideas are always welcome.
Have more questions?
Ask in the Discord server or open a GitHub issue. You can also check the Features page for a full tour of what the app does.