The Picsui Guide
Everything you need to know about every feature. Step-by-step instructions, pro tips, and role-specific guides for photographers, DJs, planners, corporate teams, and venues.
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Getting Started
Create your account, set up your first event, and understand the core workflow in under five minutes.
Step by Step
- 1Go to picsui.com and click "Start Free Trial" or "Create Free Event".
- 2Enter your name, email, and a password. Verify your email address via the confirmation link.
- 3Once logged in you land on the Dashboard. Click "New Event" in the top-right corner.
- 4Enter an event name (e.g. "Sarah & Mike's Wedding") and choose the event date.
- 5Click "Create Event". Your unique QR code and shareable link are generated instantly.
- 6Download the QR code, print it, or share the link. You are ready to collect photos.
Pro Tips
- The Professional plan includes a 14-day free trial with no credit card required.
- Starter plan is $29/mo with 5 events/month and 1,000 photos/month.
- You can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel at any time from Dashboard > Billing.
Creating Events
A full walkthrough of event creation including all the options available at setup time.
Step by Step
- 1From your Dashboard, click "New Event".
- 2Enter the event name. Use something guests will recognize ("Company Holiday Party 2026").
- 3Set the event date. Optionally set an end date so the event auto-closes after that day.
- 4Choose an industry type if prompted (wedding, corporate, party, etc.) to pre-configure recommended settings.
- 5Click "Create Event". You are taken to the event dashboard where you can configure everything else.
- 6Before the event, review Settings, Branding, and Moderation tabs to fine-tune the experience.
Pro Tips
- You can edit the event name, date, and all settings at any time from the Settings tab.
- Draft events do not accept uploads. Change status to "Active" when you are ready.
- Paid plans include unlimited active events. Free plan allows 1 live event/month (unlimited drafts). Your photo limit is shared across events.
Guest Experience
What your guests see when they scan the QR code and upload photos. No app download required.
Step by Step
- 1Guest scans the QR code with their phone camera (or taps the shared link).
- 2Their browser opens your branded event upload page. No app install is needed.
- 3If you have guest form fields enabled, they enter their name and/or email (configurable).
- 4Guest taps "Upload Photos" and selects one or more photos from their camera roll.
- 5Photos upload instantly. Guest sees a success message (customizable in Settings).
- 6If moderation is enabled, photos go to your approval queue. Otherwise they appear in the gallery immediately.
Pro Tips
- Works on every smartphone -- iPhone, Android, any modern browser. No app download.
- Guests can upload multiple photos at once. There is no per-upload limit (you can set a total limit per guest).
- If you enable captions, guests can add a short message to each photo.
- Consider having the MC, DJ, or host announce the QR code so guests know to look for it.
Gallery Management
View, organize, feature, and download all the photos from your event.
Step by Step
- 1Go to your event dashboard and click the "Gallery" tab to see all uploaded photos.
- 2Click any photo to view it full-size with metadata (uploader name, timestamp).
- 3Use the "Featured" toggle on any photo to highlight it. Featured photos appear first in the gallery and slideshow.
- 4Delete unwanted photos using the trash icon. Deleted photos are permanently removed.
- 5Share the gallery link with attendees after the event so they can view and download photos.
Pro Tips
- Featured photos appear first in both the gallery view and the live slideshow.
- The gallery updates in real time. Keep it open during the event and watch photos appear as guests upload.
- You can share a view-only gallery link. Guests see photos but cannot modify anything.
- Photo storage: 7 days on Free, 30 days on Starter, 1 year on Professional, 2 years on Enterprise. We email you before photos expire so you can download them.
Live Slideshow
Display guest photos in real time on any screen, TV, or projector during your event.
Step by Step
- 1From the event dashboard, click "Slideshow" to open the slideshow view in a new tab.
- 2Connect your laptop or device to a TV or projector via HDMI, Chromecast, or AirPlay.
- 3Press F11 (or click the fullscreen button) for an immersive, distraction-free display.
- 4Photos automatically cycle as guests upload them. New photos appear without any manual refresh.
- 5Adjust slideshow speed and transition settings from the event Settings tab.
Pro Tips
- Use a dedicated device for the slideshow so it runs uninterrupted throughout the event.
- Test the TV/projector connection before guests arrive.
- The slideshow works in any modern browser -- Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox.
- If you enable moderation, only approved photos appear in the slideshow.
- Disable screen sleep/timeout on the display device so the slideshow runs all night.
Live Streaming / Broadcasting
Broadcast your event live to remote guests anywhere in the world. Stream from your browser or use OBS/RTMP.
Step by Step
- 1From the event dashboard, click the "Live Broadcast" tab.
- 2Share the viewer link with remote guests. They open it in any browser -- no app or account needed.
- 3On event day, click "Go Live". Choose browser-based streaming (uses your device camera) or enter your RTMP credentials for OBS.
- 4Remote guests see the live stream in real time with sub-second latency via LiveKit infrastructure.
- 5When you are done, click "End Broadcast". Viewers see a "Broadcast ended" message.
Pro Tips
- Browser-based streaming requires only a phone, laptop, or tablet with a camera.
- For professional setups, use OBS Studio or any RTMP-compatible encoder for higher quality and multi-camera switching.
- Supports up to 200 concurrent viewers on Enterprise (50 per add-on, expandable with Extra Viewer Packs).
- Add password protection to keep the broadcast private.
- Live Broadcast and Same Day Slideshow are independent features. You can use both on the same event.
AI Moderation
Automatic AI-powered scanning of uploaded photos to catch inappropriate content before it appears in your gallery.
Step by Step
- 1Go to your event Settings tab and find the Moderation section.
- 2AI moderation is automatically active on Professional plan events.
- 3Every uploaded photo is scanned by AI in real time as it arrives.
- 4Inappropriate content (explicit imagery, violence, spam) is automatically flagged and hidden from the gallery.
- 5Review flagged photos in your moderation queue. Approve false positives or confirm rejections.
Pro Tips
- AI moderation uses OpenAI image analysis for high accuracy.
- It catches explicit content, violence, hate symbols, and spam/text images.
- You can override any AI decision -- approve a false positive or reject something the AI missed.
- AI moderation works alongside manual moderation. Enable both for maximum control.
Manual Moderation
Review and approve every photo before it appears in your gallery. Perfect for corporate or formal events.
Step by Step
- 1Go to your event Settings tab.
- 2Toggle on "Enable Moderation" (manual approval mode).
- 3All new uploads go to a pending queue instead of appearing in the gallery.
- 4Open the moderation queue from the event dashboard. Review each photo.
- 5Click Approve to add it to the gallery, or Reject to discard it. Rejected photos are hidden from guests.
Pro Tips
- Best for corporate events, formal galas, and any event where content control is critical.
- You get notifications when new photos need review so you do not have to keep checking.
- Combine with AI moderation: AI catches obvious issues, you review everything else.
- Approved photos instantly appear in the gallery and slideshow.
Guest Lead Capture
Collect guest names, emails, and custom information with every photo upload. Every scan is a lead.
Step by Step
- 1Go to your event Settings > Guest Form Settings.
- 2Toggle "Collect Guest Name" and/or "Collect Guest Email" on or off.
- 3Optionally make each field required so guests must enter info before uploading.
- 4For gallery viewing, enable "Gallery Email Gate" to require an email before guests can browse photos.
- 5View collected leads in your event dashboard. Export them for your CRM or email marketing.
Pro Tips
- Every QR code scan is a potential lead. Even if someone does not upload, you can gate gallery access.
- Gallery Email Gate is powerful for photographers: guests view the gallery but you collect their email first.
- Custom fields (configured via industry presets) let you collect additional data like company name or phone.
- Pair lead capture with watermarking to drive engagement: guests see watermarked previews and must register to see full photos.
Custom Branding (Per-Event)
Customize every event with your logo, colors, welcome message, and success message. Make it yours.
Step by Step
- 1Go to your event Settings > Branding & Appearance section.
- 2Upload your event logo (PNG, JPG, WEBP, or SVG, max 5MB). It appears on the upload page, gallery, and slideshow.
- 3Set a primary color and accent color to match your event theme or brand.
- 4Write a custom welcome message that guests see when they land on the upload page.
- 5Write a custom success message that guests see after uploading photos.
- 6Optionally set a background image URL for the upload page.
Pro Tips
- Use a logo with a transparent background (PNG or SVG) for the best look.
- Keep the welcome message short and friendly: "Welcome to our wedding! Share your photos with us."
- The success message is a great place for a call-to-action: "Thanks! Check out the gallery to see everyone's photos."
- Colors and logos are previewed in real time so you can see the result before saving.
Branded Portal (Subdomain)
Get your own branded portal at companyname.picsui.com. Your professional landing page where clients find events, upload photos, and view galleries -- all under your brand.
Step by Step
- 1Go to Dashboard > Branding > Subdomain section.
- 2Enter your desired subdomain name (e.g. "smith-photography"). The system checks availability in real time.
- 3Click "Claim Subdomain". It is instantly active -- no DNS setup, no verification, no waiting.
- 4Customize your portal with a tagline, description, and optional contact info.
- 5In each event's settings, toggle "Show on Portal" to control which events are visible on your portal page.
- 6Share your portal URL (e.g. smith-photography.picsui.com) with clients and guests.
Pro Tips
- Subdomain names must be 3-63 characters, letters/numbers/hyphens only, and cannot start or end with a hyphen.
- Only events you explicitly mark as "Show on Portal" appear on the listing. Other events remain accessible via direct link.
- Your portal inherits your branding: logo, colors, and no Picsui attribution (Pro plan).
- Password-protected events show on the portal list but require the password to enter.
- Guests see your brand throughout the entire experience. They never need to know Picsui exists.
White-Label Branding
Remove all Picsui branding for a completely custom experience. Your guests see only your brand.
Step by Step
- 1Ensure you are on the Professional plan.
- 2Go to your event Settings > Branding & Appearance.
- 3Toggle on "Hide Picsui Branding". The "Powered by Picsui" footer is removed.
- 4Upload your own logo and set your brand colors.
- 5Your branding now appears everywhere: upload page, gallery, slideshow, and email notifications.
Pro Tips
- Perfect for photographers, agencies, and venues who want a professional client-facing experience.
- Combine with a branded portal subdomain for the full white-label experience.
- If you downgrade from Professional, Picsui branding returns but your subdomain is retained.
- White-label applies per-event, so you can have some events branded and others with default styling.
Custom Domain
Use your own domain (e.g. events.yourcompany.com) that points to your Picsui branded portal.
Step by Step
- 1First, claim your branded portal subdomain (see Branded Portal section above).
- 2Go to Dashboard > Branding > Custom Domain section.
- 3Enter your desired domain (e.g. events.yourcompany.com).
- 4Add a CNAME record in your DNS provider pointing your domain to your-subdomain.picsui.com.
- 5Click "Verify" in Picsui. The system checks your DNS records.
- 6Once verified, your custom domain serves your branded portal. The subdomain URL still works too.
Pro Tips
- Custom domain is optional and additive. Your .picsui.com subdomain always works.
- DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate, though most resolve within minutes.
- Only one custom domain per account. The subdomain remains your primary portal address.
- If you need help with DNS configuration, contact your domain registrar or our support team.
Event Settings (All Options)
A complete reference of every setting available in the event Settings tab.
Step by Step
- 1Basic Settings: event name, event date, optional end date (auto-closes the event).
- 2Event Status: Draft (not accepting uploads), Active (accepting uploads), Ended (closed).
- 3Moderation: toggle manual approval mode. When enabled, all uploads go to a review queue.
- 4Same Day Media Only: only accept photos/videos captured on the event date (checks EXIF metadata).
- 5Gallery Password: require a password to view the gallery. Great for private events.
- 6Guest Form: toggle name/email collection, make fields required or optional.
- 7Branding: logo, colors, welcome message, success message, background image, hide Picsui branding (Pro).
- 8Upload Controls: max photos per guest, show upload preview, allow captions, custom upload instructions.
- 9Terms Acceptance: require guests to agree to custom terms before uploading.
- 10Success Redirect: redirect guests to a custom URL after uploading.
- 11Lead Capture: gallery email gate, custom fields (via industry presets).
- 12Watermarking: add text watermarks to downloaded photos (originals stay pristine).
- 13Photo Delivery: configure VIP recipient delivery (see Photo Delivery section).
- 14Integrations: webhook event types and configuration.
Pro Tips
- Changes take effect immediately after saving.
- You can change any setting at any time, even during a live event.
- Some settings (white-label, AI moderation) require the Professional plan.
- The "Same Day Media Only" option checks the photo's EXIF capture date, not the upload date.
Photo Delivery (VIP Recipient)
Send event photos directly to the guest of honor (couple, birthday person, VIP) via a beautiful email with gallery access.
Step by Step
- 1Go to your event Settings > Photo Delivery section.
- 2Add one or more recipient email addresses and names.
- 3Choose the relationship (couple, birthday person, other) for personalized messaging.
- 4Write a personal message that will be included in the delivery email.
- 5Choose delivery timing: immediate, after event ends, or on a specific date.
- 6Set how many days the recipient has access to the gallery (default: 30 days).
- 7Click "Send Now" to deliver immediately, or let it send automatically based on your timing setting.
Pro Tips
- Great for surprising the guest of honor with all the photos from their event.
- The recipient receives a beautiful, branded email with a link to a private gallery view.
- You can track whether the email was sent and when the recipient accessed the gallery.
- Combine with the Gallery Email Gate to ensure every viewer registers before seeing photos.
Event Analytics
Track uploads, scans, engagement, and lead capture metrics for every event.
Step by Step
- 1From your event dashboard, click the "Analytics" tab.
- 2View total photo uploads, unique uploaders, and gallery views.
- 3Track QR code scans and upload conversion rate.
- 4See guest registration data (names, emails) collected through lead capture.
- 5Review engagement metrics: most active times, popular devices, upload patterns.
Pro Tips
- Analytics help you understand which events perform best and optimize future events.
- Export lead data for your CRM or email marketing campaigns.
- Check analytics after the event to report engagement metrics to clients.
- Upload conversion rate = (guests who uploaded / guests who scanned) shows how engaging your setup was.
Billing & Plans
Manage your subscription, switch plans, view invoices, and understand what each plan includes.
Step by Step
- 1Go to Dashboard > Settings > Billing to see your current plan and usage.
- 2Free ($0/forever): unlimited drafts, 1 live event/month, 25 photos per event, basic slideshow, 7-day storage.
- 3Starter ($29/mo or $279/yr): 5 events/month, 1,000 photos/month, 30-day storage, QR sharing, slideshow.
- 4Professional ($79/mo or $759/yr): 25 events/month, 5,000 photos/month, 1-year storage, AI moderation, custom branding, lead capture, analytics.
- 5Enterprise ($149/mo or $1429/yr): unlimited events, 15,000 photos/month, 2-year storage, remove "Powered by", 3 live streams/month included, priority support.
- 6Click "Manage Subscription" to upgrade, downgrade, or switch between monthly and annual billing.
- 7View past invoices and download them as PDFs for your records.
- 8Update your payment method (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover via Stripe).
Pro Tips
- Professional plan has a 14-day free trial. No credit card required to start.
- Annual billing saves approximately 20% compared to monthly.
- Downgrading takes effect at the end of your current billing period.
- If you cancel, your events and photos remain accessible until the billing period ends.
Account Settings
Manage your profile, password, email preferences, and account security.
Step by Step
- 1Go to Dashboard > Settings to access your account settings.
- 2Update your display name and email address.
- 3Change your password from the Security section.
- 4Configure email notification preferences (upload alerts, moderation alerts, weekly summaries).
- 5View your organization details if you are part of a team.
Pro Tips
- Use a strong, unique password. Picsui uses Supabase Auth with industry-standard security.
- Email notifications help you stay on top of uploads during live events.
- If you manage events for an organization, check organization settings for team member management.
AI Assistant
Picsui includes a built-in AI chatbot to help you with setup, troubleshooting, and best practices.
Step by Step
- 1Look for the chat bubble icon in the bottom-right corner of any dashboard page.
- 2Click it to open the AI assistant.
- 3Ask questions like "How do I set up a slideshow?" or "What settings should I use for a corporate event?"
- 4The assistant provides step-by-step guidance based on your specific question.
- 5For complex issues, the assistant can direct you to the relevant documentation section or support team.
Pro Tips
- The AI assistant knows about all Picsui features and can guide you through any setup.
- Ask for event-type-specific recommendations (wedding vs. corporate vs. birthday).
- If the assistant cannot resolve your issue, reach out to our support team directly.
Integrations (Webhooks, OBS, RTMP)
Connect Picsui to your existing tools via webhooks and professional streaming protocols.
Step by Step
- 1Webhooks: go to your organization settings to configure webhook endpoints.
- 2Add your endpoint URL and select which event types to receive notifications for.
- 3Supported webhook events: event.created, event.updated, event.started, event.ended, guest.registered, photo.uploaded, photo.approved.
- 4OBS/RTMP: from the Live Broadcast tab, click "Use RTMP" to get your stream key and server URL.
- 5Enter the RTMP server URL and stream key into OBS Studio (or any RTMP encoder).
- 6Start streaming in OBS. Picsui picks up the feed and broadcasts to your viewers.
Pro Tips
- Webhooks are great for triggering automations: send a Slack message when a photo is uploaded, add leads to your CRM, etc.
- Webhook payloads include full event context so your downstream systems have all the data they need.
- OBS gives you full control over stream quality, multi-camera switching, overlays, and graphics.
- Test your webhook endpoint with a tool like webhook.site before connecting it to production events.
Security & Privacy
How Picsui protects your data, your guests' data, and your event content.
Step by Step
- 1Gallery Password: set a password on any event to restrict gallery access to invited guests.
- 2Password-protected events require the password for both viewing and uploading.
- 3Broadcast Password: add a separate password to your live stream for an extra layer of privacy.
- 4Data Storage: photos are stored on Cloudflare R2 with encryption at rest. Served over HTTPS.
- 5Authentication: Picsui uses Supabase Auth with secure session handling and email verification.
- 6GDPR: review our privacy policy at picsui.com/privacy. Contact us to request data deletion.
Pro Tips
- Use simple, memorable passwords for events. Share them on the invitation or verbally at the event.
- Guests enter the password once per device. They do not need to re-enter it during the event.
- Photos are never shared publicly unless you explicitly share the gallery link.
- For maximum privacy, combine gallery password + manual moderation + required guest registration.
Troubleshooting
Common issues and their solutions. Check here before contacting support.
Step by Step
- 1QR code not scanning: ensure the code is printed clearly and at a sufficient size. Test it yourself. Avoid very small prints.
- 2Photos not appearing: check if moderation is enabled (photos may be in the pending queue). Also confirm the event status is "Active".
- 3Slideshow not updating: ensure your browser tab is still active and connected to the internet. Try refreshing the page.
- 4Upload failing: check the guest's internet connection. Large files may take longer. Picsui accepts JPG, PNG, WEBP, and HEIC formats.
- 5Live stream not starting: ensure your browser has camera/microphone permissions. Try a different browser. For OBS, verify the stream key.
- 6Cannot see photos after event: check if the event status was changed to "Ended" or if photo storage has expired (30 days on Starter).
Pro Tips
- Most issues are resolved by refreshing the page or checking the event status.
- The real-time gallery uses WebSocket connections. If your network blocks WebSockets, updates may be delayed.
- For persistent issues, contact support with your event ID (visible in the browser URL bar).
- Clear your browser cache if the upload page looks wrong or shows stale data.
Guide for Photographers
How professional photographers use Picsui to deliver client galleries, capture more angles, and build their brand.
Step by Step
- 1Create a branded portal with your business name (e.g. smith-photography.picsui.com).
- 2Set up white-label branding: your logo, your colors, no Picsui attribution. Clients see only your brand.
- 3For each wedding or event, create an event and toggle "Show on Portal" so clients find it easily.
- 4Place QR codes at the venue. Guest uploads supplement your professional photos with candid angles you could not capture yourself.
- 5After the event, use the gallery as your delivery mechanism. Enable Gallery Email Gate to capture viewer emails.
- 6Use watermarking on gallery downloads to protect your work and drive inquiries.
- 7Send photos to the couple or VIP via the Photo Delivery feature with a personal message.
Pro Tips
- Your branded portal becomes your online gallery hub. Share one URL with all clients.
- Guest photos give you coverage of moments between posed shots -- the laughter, the tears, the dance floor.
- Gallery Email Gate builds your mailing list: every gallery viewer registers with their email.
- Combine with custom domain (events.yourphotography.com) for the most professional look.
- Join the Picsui Partner Program for special pricing and co-marketing opportunities.
Guide for DJs & Entertainers
How DJs and entertainment companies use Picsui to engage audiences and grow their brand.
Step by Step
- 1Create a branded portal (e.g. beatdrop.picsui.com) for your entertainment company.
- 2For each gig, create an event. Enable live slideshow and photo uploads.
- 3Set up a TV or projector near the dance floor. Run the slideshow for a visual spectacle.
- 4Announce the QR code to the crowd: "Pull out your phones, go to beatdrop.picsui.com to share photos!"
- 5Photos appear on the big screen in real time, creating an interactive experience.
- 6After the event, share the gallery link with the venue or event host as added value.
Pro Tips
- The live slideshow is a crowd engagement tool. It gets people pulling out their phones and participating.
- Use your portal URL in your marketing materials. One memorable URL for every gig.
- Collect guest emails through lead capture to build your audience for future events.
- Combine photo slideshow with live broadcast so remote fans can watch too.
- Position the QR code near the DJ booth where everyone can see it.
Guide for Event Planners
How event planners use Picsui to add value for clients and streamline photo management.
Step by Step
- 1Set up a branded portal for your planning company (e.g. elite-events.picsui.com).
- 2For each client event, create a new event in Picsui with the client's branding (logo, colors).
- 3Toggle "Show on Portal" for events you want publicly visible. Keep private events accessible only via direct link.
- 4Brief the venue staff on QR code placement. Print and distribute codes to tables, signage, and key locations.
- 5During the event, monitor the moderation queue and approve photos in real time.
- 6After the event, deliver the gallery to your client. Use Photo Delivery to send to the guest of honor.
- 7Export guest leads and analytics to include in your post-event report for the client.
Pro Tips
- Picsui adds tangible value to your event planning packages. Clients love the interactive photo experience.
- Per-event branding means each client sees their own logo and colors, not yours or Picsui's.
- Use analytics to demonstrate engagement in post-event reports: "247 photos uploaded, 89 unique guests participated."
- For multi-day events (conferences, retreats), use the end date feature to auto-close the event.
- Manual moderation is recommended for corporate events to ensure brand-safe content.
Guide for Corporate Events
Best practices for conferences, team events, product launches, and corporate gatherings.
Step by Step
- 1Create the event with your corporate branding (company logo, brand colors).
- 2Enable manual moderation to review all photos before they appear. This ensures brand-safe content.
- 3Enable AI moderation as a first-pass filter. It catches obvious issues; you review the rest.
- 4Set up guest registration with required name and email for attendee tracking.
- 5Use the Gallery Email Gate so every gallery viewer registers, building your attendee database.
- 6Place QR codes at registration desks, session rooms, networking areas, and the main stage.
- 7For hybrid events, enable live broadcast so remote team members can watch sessions in real time.
- 8After the event, export the lead data and share the gallery with attendees via email.
Pro Tips
- Require terms acceptance so guests agree to your company's photo sharing policy before uploading.
- Set "Same Day Media Only" to prevent people from uploading unrelated photos from their camera roll.
- Use the success redirect URL to send guests to your corporate website or event agenda after uploading.
- Watermark downloaded photos with your event name or company logo for brand visibility.
- Custom fields let you collect department, title, or other corporate-specific info with each upload.
Guide for Venues
How venues use Picsui as a permanent guest engagement tool that works for every event.
Step by Step
- 1Create a branded portal for your venue (e.g. grand-ballroom.picsui.com).
- 2Install permanent QR code signage in the lobby, on table cards, and near photo-worthy spots.
- 3For each event at your venue, create a new Picsui event and toggle "Show on Portal".
- 4Guests always know where to go: your venue portal URL. They find tonight's event and start uploading.
- 5After each event, archive it (change status to "Ended") and create a new one for the next event.
- 6Build a portfolio: keep past event galleries on your portal to showcase the venue experience.
Pro Tips
- Your portal URL becomes part of your venue's identity. Print it on menus, coasters, and permanent signage.
- Each event can have different branding for the client, but the portal URL stays consistent.
- Use analytics to show event hosts the engagement numbers: "Your guests uploaded 350 photos tonight."
- Venues with multiple rooms can run multiple events simultaneously, each with its own QR code.
- Offer Picsui as a venue amenity or upsell to event hosts as part of premium packages.
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