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

# Typical Workflow

> The end-to-end Livestream API workflow: get a region, create a source, start your encoder, create and publish a broadcast, consume chat, and end the session.

The complete flow from nothing to a live broadcast on X:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Get the recommended region">
    `GET /2/region` → obtain the recommended region (follow the 307 redirect). See [Get Recommended Region](/livestream-api/sources/get-recommended-region).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create (or reuse) a stream source">
    `POST /2/users/:user_id/sources` → create a source for that region. Record `rtmps_url` + `rtmp_stream_key`. See [Create Stream Source](/livestream-api/sources/create-source).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start your encoder">
    Configure and start your encoder, pushing to the RTMPS URL + key. Wait until `is_stream_active` is `true` (poll [List](/livestream-api/sources/list-sources)/[Get Source](/livestream-api/sources/get-source) if desired).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a broadcast">
    `POST /2/users/:user_id/broadcasts` with the `source_id`, `region`, and `is_low_latency`. Note the `media_key`, `id`, `share_url`, and `video_access` URLs. The broadcast starts in `NOT_STARTED`. See [Create Broadcast](/livestream-api/broadcasts/create-broadcast).
  </Step>

  <Step title="(Optional) Prepare chat access">
    Subscribe to the user's `broadcast.chat` events in the X Activity API. If you have already done this previously, you don't need to resubscribe — the subscription covers all broadcasts for the user. See [Accessing Live Chat](/livestream-api/chat/accessing-live-chat).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Publish (go live)">
    `PUT …/broadcasts/:id/state` with `state: "PUBLISH"` (+ `title`, `chat_option`, etc.). The broadcast becomes `RUNNING` and publicly visible. See [Publish or End a Broadcast](/livestream-api/broadcasts/publish-or-end-broadcast).
  </Step>

  <Step title="While live">
    Poll `GET /2/broadcasts/:id` for viewer counts, thumbnails, and state; read chat via the X Activity API; optionally post messages with [`POST /2/broadcasts/:id/chat`](/livestream-api/chat/send-chat-message).
  </Step>

  <Step title="End the broadcast">
    When done: stop your encoder, then `PUT …/state` with `{ "state": "END" }`. The broadcast transitions to `ENDED`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="(Optional) Pull chat history">
    `GET /2/broadcasts/:id/chat` returns the broadcast's chat history. This endpoint is only valid after the broadcast has ended. See [Get Chat History](/livestream-api/chat/get-chat-history).
  </Step>

  <Step title="(Optional) Clean up">
    Delete the broadcast record or source if no longer needed.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Sources are reusable. Create a new source only when you need a different region or want to isolate encoder configs.
</Note>