> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.melonly.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Sessions

> Start and end ER:LC sessions, run session polls, and review session analytics.

***

## What is Sessions Overview?

Sessions Overview is where your team runs ER:LC sessions. Start a session, open a poll to gauge interest, schedule one for later, and see how past sessions went.

<Frame caption="Sessions Overview">
  <img className="block" src="https://mintcdn.com/melonly/A1khd4CvHJNzkfPQ/images/Mod-Panel/Toolbox/sessions.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=A1khd4CvHJNzkfPQ&q=85&s=206a32101c6a10e0cc07982b3b670597" alt="The Sessions Overview window with analytics and session controls" style={{ borderRadius: '0.75rem' }} width="1918" height="989" data-path="images/Mod-Panel/Toolbox/sessions.png" />
</Frame>

Open it with **Manage Session** in the Toolbox. The button reads Pending Poll or Active Session while one is running.

<Note>
  Anyone can view Sessions Overview. Starting, ending, and managing sessions requires the Manage Sessions permission.
</Note>

***

## Starting a Session

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Start session">
    Under **No active session**, click **Start session**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose an Area of Play">
    Pick an **Area of Play**, or leave it empty for none.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start">
    Click **Start session**. Your session announcement is posted to Discord.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Session Polls

A poll lets your community vote before a session starts.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create the poll">
    Click **Create poll**, then set **Votes Required** (1 to 99) and an optional **Area of Play**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Optionally schedule it">
    Pick a **Scheduled Start Time** to start the session automatically once enough votes are in.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Watch the votes">
    When enough votes are in, click **Start session**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Click **Cancel poll** to end it without starting a session. Only one poll can run at a time.

***

## Scheduling a Session

Click the clock icon next to **Start session** to schedule one. Choose a time up to 3 days ahead. If a poll is open, the session is linked to it.

Only one session can be scheduled at a time. Click the delete icon on it to cancel.

***

## During a Session

While a session is running you'll see its players, staff shifts, unique players, mod calls, and mod commands.

| Button | What it does |
| - | - |
| Shutdown session | Ends the session |
| Post boost message | Posts a boost message in Discord |
| Post server full message | Posts a server full message in Discord |
| Edit area of play (pencil) | Changes the session's AOP |

Start, shutdown, boost, and full messages each have a 30 second cooldown.

***

## Analytics and History

| Section | What it shows |
| - | - |
| Analytics Overview | Unique players, mod calls, and mod commands over 24 hours, 7, 30, or 90 days |
| Session History | Every past session, with player and staff charts and comparisons to the previous session |

Expand a past session to view its player sessions, staff shifts, and ER:LC logs. Analytics are only available for sessions that lasted at least 5 minutes.

<Card title="Sessions on the dashboard" icon="gamepad" href="/Dashboard/sessions">
  Configure session messages, AOPs, and defaults.
</Card>

***

<Card title="Need help?" icon="headset" href="https://melonly.xyz/discord">
  Still have questions? Join our Discord server for support from the Melonly Team.
</Card>


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