Questions,
answered.
What the passport is, what the overlay does, and what it costs. The questions people ask most, in plain words. Still stuck? Email us.
What is Bureau of Chat?
A free Twitch plugin and overlay suite. Viewers check in to a channel by typing !passport
in its chat and collect that streamer's stamp. Streamers get an overlay for their stream, a chat
bot, and a desk to run it all while they're live. Come on in!
Does it cost anything?
No. A passport, the overlay, the bot and the desk are free forever, and they work in any Bureau-approved channel. The only payments are the Friend of the Bureau stamp and an optional tip, and neither one unlocks a feature. If you want to help with the upkeep, the Friends page is the place.
How do I get a passport?
Type !passport in the chat of any Bureau-approved channel. That channel's stamp is
printed onto your visa page, and your passport travels with you to every other Bureau channel you
visit. Go collect them all!
How do I add it to my stream?
Register your channel and design your stamp in the Port of Entry. Then open Dispatch and run the overlay while you're live. In OBS, add one Browser Source, 1920 x 1080, pointed at your overlay address. That's it.
Do I need OBS?
You need OBS or another app that can add a browser source, because the overlay is a browser source. Everything else runs on this site, not in your stream software.
What can I put on my stream?
Polls and countdowns, which chat votes on with !vote. Timed messages that post while
you're live. Saved screens you can bring back with one click. Shoutouts for your fellow
creators. Your own commands, like !discord or !schedule. Celebrations for
bits and subs. The Telestrator, for drawing and tracking live on your stream.
Can my mods help?
Yes. In Dispatch, you grant mods permission to use the Telestrator and the other widgets from their own computer. Pick the ones you trust.
Can I run a giveaway?
Yes. A giveaway is a random draw: it picks one name from everyone who enters with your command. You can make it followers only, but never subscribers only. Paid entries can count as illegal gambling in some places, so check the rules where you live. You supply the prize, and the Bureau of Chat isn't responsible for it.
What is the Exchange?
The Bureau of Exchange tracks which channels have the busiest ports and who the frequent flyers are, sorted into tiers.
Who do I contact?
Email [email protected], or message diminished_seventh on Twitch.