First Launch

Crater uses two windows:

The console is where you work. It opens maximized on your main screen, and only you see it.
The projection window is what the congregation sees. It goes on your projector, TV or second monitor.

A few minutes of setup gets the projection window onto the right screen.

Step 1: Connect your projector or second screen

Plug the projector or TV into the computer (HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C or a VGA adapter) and turn it on.
Set the computer to extend the desktop across both screens:
- Windows: press Win + P and choose Extend.
- macOS: open System Settings > Displays and make sure the second display isn't set to mirror.

You can plug the projector in before or after starting Crater. Crater notices when screens are connected or removed.

Step 2: Choose the projection screen

On a fresh install Crater picks your first non-main screen automatically. To check or change it:

Click the small arrow on the right of the Go Live button in the top-right corner.
The menu lists every connected screen by name and resolution. Your main screen is marked (primary). Click the one connected to your projector.
In the same menu, choose Fullscreen (normal for a projector) or Windowed (a movable window, handy for testing).

The same options are in Settings > Projection under Output display and Projection mode.

Step 3: Open the projection window

Click Go Live in the top bar. The projection window opens on the screen you chose and the button changes to End Live. Click End Live to close it again.

Step 4: Run a quick test

Click the Scripture tab in the bottom half of the console.
Type jn 3:16 in the search box on the left. Crater jumps to John 3:16 and shows it in the Preview panel.
Press Enter. The verse goes to the Live panel and onto the projector.
Click Clear in the top bar to hide the text, and click it again to bring it back.

If the verse appears on the projector, you're ready. Running a Service explains the rest of the workflow.

Using Crater with only one screen

Crater works on a single laptop screen too, which is useful for preparing a service at home.

By default, the projection shows as a small preview window in the bottom-right corner of your screen.
For a full-size view, turn on Settings > Projection > Single display: full-size projection behind the console. The projection then fills the screen behind every other window. Snap the console to one half of the screen (Win + Left arrow on Windows) to see both side by side.

When you plug a second screen in later, check it's selected in the menu next to Go Live.

Optional: make the console your own

Language. Crater picks your computer's language the first time it runs, if it has a translation for it. Change it any time in Settings > Appearance > Language. The switch happens straight away, with no restart. See Settings for the list of 21 languages.
Console colours. Settings > Appearance > Theme offers Dark, Light, Midnight, Auto (follows your computer) and eleven more, including High Contrast and Sepia. This only changes the console. The projection keeps its own look.
Text size. Settings > Appearance > Font size makes the console text smaller (S) or larger (L).
Default Bible. Crater opens the Scripture tab in the King James Version. Pick another in Settings > Scripture > Default version.

Common setup problems

The projection window opened on the wrong screen. Pick the right screen from the arrow next to Go Live. Crater remembers screens by name, so it finds the projector again even if you plug it into a different port next week.

My projector isn't in the list. Check the computer sees it first (Win + P on Windows, System Settings > Displays on a Mac). Crater updates its list as soon as the operating system reports the new screen.

I only see a small window in the corner. Crater thinks there's only one screen. See Using Crater with only one screen, or check the projector is connected and set to extend.

More fixes are in Troubleshooting.

Next: Interface Overview