Guide5 min read

Getting Started

Install VPE & Run Your First Automated Stream

From download to your first automated scene switch in under 5 minutes. No coding, no complex setup.

In this guide

  1. 01Download & Install
  2. 02Connect to OBS
  3. 03Link Your Streaming Platform
  4. 04Your First Automated Scene Switch
  5. 05Customize Your Automation
  6. 06What Happens When You're Live
01

Download & Install

VPE is a standalone desktop app — no browser extensions, no cloud accounts, no plugins to configure. Download the installer for your platform (Windows .exe or macOS .dmg) from getvpe.com.

On macOS, drag VPE into your Applications folder. On Windows, run the installer and follow the prompts. VPE will appear in your system tray once installed.

The app is under 50MB and requires no runtime dependencies. Everything is included — there's nothing else to install.

Tip

VPE runs in your system tray. Even if you close the window, VPE keeps running and managing your stream.

02

Connect to OBS

VPE communicates with OBS via the WebSocket v5 protocol (built into OBS 28+). Open OBS, go to Tools → WebSocket Server Settings, and make sure the server is enabled.

By default, VPE connects to localhost:4455 — the same default OBS uses. If you've changed the port or set a password, update the connection settings in VPE's Plugins tab.

Once connected, VPE automatically discovers your scenes, sources, and audio channels. You'll see a green 'Connected' indicator in the Plugins panel.

Tip

If you're using OBS 27 or earlier, install the obs-websocket plugin manually from GitHub. OBS 28+ has it built in.

03

Link Your Streaming Platform

Go to Settings → Streaming and click 'Connect' next to your platform (Twitch, YouTube, Kick, TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram). VPE uses OAuth — you never enter your password into VPE.

After authenticating, VPE starts receiving real-time events: donations, subscriptions, raids, chat messages, and follows. These events drive all of VPE's automation.

You can connect multiple platforms simultaneously. VPE merges all events into a single stream, so your automation rules work across all platforms without duplication.

04

Your First Automated Scene Switch

With OBS connected and a platform linked, VPE is already working. Start a stream (or use the Scenarios tab to simulate one), and watch what happens.

By default, VPE comes with starter policies: a big donation triggers a celebration scene, a raid triggers a welcome scene, and quiet moments gradually transition to a BRB scene.

You'll see decisions appear in real-time on the Dashboard tab. Each entry shows what event triggered it, what VPE decided to do, and whether it was executed or blocked by a cooldown.

Tip

Use the Scenarios tab to run simulated events without going live. This lets you test and tweak automation before your audience sees it.

Try it yourself

See the difference on your own stream

VPE's free tier includes scene switching, moment detection, and chat moderation. Connect OBS, link your platform, stream smarter in 15 minutes.

Get Early Access
05

Customize Your Automation

VPE's behavior is driven by policies — JSON files that define 'when X happens, do Y'. Navigate to the Config tab to edit policies visually, or edit the JSON files directly in the config/policies/ folder.

Start small: pick one event you care about (e.g., raids) and one action (e.g., switch to a specific OBS scene). Once you see it working, layer in more rules.

Each policy rule has cooldowns and budgets built in — VPE won't spam effects even if events flood in. The defaults are sensible, but you can adjust them to match your stream's pace.

06

What Happens When You're Live

VPE runs continuously in the background. It doesn't need OBS to be in focus, and it doesn't need your VPE window to be open. It processes events regardless.

During a live stream, VPE watches all incoming events, understands what's happening, decides what to do, and makes it happen — all in under 120ms from event to action.

After your stream ends, VPE stores session analytics locally. You can review what happened, what moments were detected, and which effects fired in the Analytics tab.

Get Early Access — Add Intelligence to Your OBS Setup

VPE connects to your existing OBS and adds the layer that plugins can't: moment scoring, intent classification, and context-aware decisions. Free tier available.

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