Create your first stream

Written By Joan

Last updated 15 days ago

This guide shows how to create your first stream in Castlify using an existing video source and deliver it to an RTMP (YouTube, Twitch, or any custom RTMP endpoint) until the status becomes Distributing.

What you need

Before you start, make sure you have:

  • A supported video input, such as:

    • HLS Input URL (.m3u8) (your live stream link)

    • DASH Input URL (.mpd)

    • MP4, MOV, AVI, WebM, or another compatible video source, depending on your workflow.

If you don’t have a video stream link yet, you can use Castlify’s 24/7 demo stream from the first step.

Step-by-step

1) Create a stream

  1. Go to Streams and click Create Stream.

  2. In Create a Stream:

    • Stream Name: enter a name (e.g., “News 24/7” or “Event Main Feed”)

    • Video Stream Link: paste your supported input source, such as an HLS .m3u8 URL, DASH .mpd URL, or another compatible video source.

  3. Click Next.

You’ll land on Manage Destinations.

2) Add a destination and configure it

  1. Click Add Destinations.

  2. Choose one option:

    • YouTube / Twitch / LinkedIn / X (guided)

    • Custom RTMP (fastest if you already have RTMP URL + Stream Key)

    • Custom SRT (if your destination uses SRT)

  3. Then, fill in the add destination form:

    • Destination Name: e.g., “YouTube Live”, “Twitch”, “Partner RTMP”

    • RTMP or SRT Server URL: paste the platform’s ingest URL (or SRT endpoint)

    • Stream Key (RTMP only): paste the stream key

  4. Click Add Destination.

You’ll return to Manage Destinations and see the destination in the list already toggled to ON.

3) Finish creating the stream

  1. Back in Manage Destinations, make sure the destination toggle is ON.

  2. Click Create Stream.

4) Go Live (Start distributing)

  1. In the Streams list, click on Start.

  2. Confirm that the status shows Distributing.

Your stream appears in Streams, and the destination is listed under Destinations. You can manage the destination anytime from Streams or from the Destinations page.

Troubleshooting (if it doesn’t go “Distributing”)

Input issues

  • The input source must be valid, live or accessible, depending on the format you use.

  • Some input URLs expire or require tokens or headers. If the source isn’t reachable, it may fail.

RTMP destination issues

  • Double-check RTMP Server URL and Stream Key (copy/paste is best).

  • On some platforms, you must create or schedule the event first before they accept RTMP ingest.

Next steps

  • Add more destinations from the stream page, or from Destinations (recommended when you’ll reuse the same destinations often).

  • Learn more: Destinations page overview

FAQ

Can I send one stream to multiple destinations?
Yes. Add more destinations from Manage Destinations at any time.

Do I need to keep a computer running?
No. Castlify runs delivery in the cloud using your HLS input.