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

# Automatic meeting detection

> Automatic meeting detection is meant to save you from remembering to hit record: the Chief desktop app notices when a meeting is happening on your Mac and prompts you to capture it as a Live Session.

## The idea

Automatic meeting detection is meant to save you from remembering to hit record: the [Chief desktop app](/help/meetings-live-sessions/installing-the-chief-desktop-app-mac-required-for-capture) notices when a meeting is happening on your Mac and prompts you to capture it as a [**Live Session**](/help/meetings-live-sessions/what-are-live-sessions).

<Warning>
  ⚠️ **Important:** This behavior lives in the Chief desktop app on macOS, not the web app — you won't see it if you're only using Chief in a browser.
</Warning>

## What to expect

* Keep the **Chief** desktop app running on your Mac so it can detect a meeting.
* When a meeting is detected, respond to the app's prompt to start capturing.
* The captured session then appears under **Live Sessions** in the web app, [the same as any Live Session](/help/meetings-live-sessions/starting-a-live-session).

## If you'd rather start manually

You can always start a Live Session yourself from the desktop app at the start of a call — see "Starting a Live Session." Manual start doesn't depend on detection.

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Chief didn't prompt me when my meeting started. Why?">
    Detection runs in the desktop app, so the app has to be running, [paired](/help/meetings-live-sessions/pairing-managing-devices-updating-the-app), and have the needed macOS permissions. If you weren't prompted, start the Live Session manually from the app.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does detection record without asking me?">
    No. Capture is something you confirm — when Chief detects a meeting, it shows a prompt with a **Start live session** button, and nothing records until you click it. A Live Session then shows a **Live** badge while it records.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>