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Getting Started

This guide walks you through setting up TipLink from scratch and creating your first automated alert. By the end, your stream will automatically respond to incoming events.

This guide covers TipLink V2 (the current version)

If you're looking for TipLink Desktop documentation, that product was discontinued on July 30th 2025. See the (Legacy) TipLink Desktop section.

Before You Begin​

Make sure you have:

  • TipLink installed on your Windows PC
  • An active TipLink license (or active free trial)
  • At least one streaming platform account (e.g. Twitch, Kick, Fansly)

Step 1: Activate Your License​

When you open TipLink for the first time, you'll be prompted to activate your license.

  1. Enter the License Key from your purchase email or Patreon account.
  2. Click Activate.
  3. TipLink will verify your license and take you to the Home screen.
Don't have a license yet?

Get one from Payhip, Gumroad, or start a free trial via Patreon.

Step 2: Connect a Platform​

TipLink needs to be connected to your streaming platform before it can receive events.

  1. Open TipLink and click Platforms in the left sidebar.
  2. At the top of the page, click the platform you want to connect (e.g. Twitch (Your Channel)).
  3. Follow the on-screen setup instructions for your chosen platform.

Once set up, your new account will appear in the list on the Platforms page.

Platform setup guides

Each platform has its own setup page with detailed instructions:

Step 3: Connect Your Account​

After setting up your platform, you need to actively connect it so TipLink starts listening.

  1. Go to the Home page or Platforms page.
  2. Find your account in the list and click Connect.
  3. The button will turn red and show Disconnect when connected successfully.

TipLink is now listening for incoming events from your platform!

Step 4: Create an Alert​

An Alert is a rule that says: "When this event happens, do these things."

  1. Click Alerts in the left sidebar.
  2. Click Create New Alert in the top-right corner.
  3. Give your alert a Title (e.g. "$5 Donation Alert").
  4. Under Platforms, select which platform(s) this alert should watch.
  5. Under Accounts, select which account(s) this alert should apply to.
  6. Under Valid Events, choose the event type that triggers this alert (e.g. Donation / Tip).
  7. If the event type has amount settings (like a minimum donation), configure those now.

Step 5: Add an Action​

Actions are what TipLink does when your alert fires. Let's add a stream overlay alert.

  1. On your alert's edit page, scroll down to the Actions section.
  2. Click Add Action and select Stream Overlay.
  3. Select the overlay canvas you want to use (or create one first — see Stream Overlays).
  4. Set a message using event data, e.g.: {{ username }} donated {{ value }}!
  5. Choose an animation style and duration.
  6. Click Save.
Other action types

You can add multiple actions per alert. For example: show an overlay, post to Discord, and trigger a PiShock device, all from one alert.

Browse all action types

Step 6: Test It​

Don't wait for a real event — test immediately!

  1. Go back to the Alerts page and find your new alert.
  2. Click the ⋮ (more options) menu next to the alert.
  3. Select Test Actions.

Your overlay should appear on your stream source.

Alternative testing methods

You can also replay any event from the Activity page — go to Activity, find any event in the list, and click the circular arrow icon to replay it.

You're Set Up!​

Here's what to explore next:

I want to...Go here
Connect more platformsConnect Your Platforms
Create more complex alertsAlert Triggers & Conditions
Show a goal progress bar on streamGoals
Add a death counter or timerVariables
Trigger a PiShock device on donationsPiShock Setup
Back up my settingsExport & Import
Understand what happened to an eventActivity Log